Anyone Ever Cut a Widebox Longbed down to a Shortbed??

[Wildcard]

Hello, I am wondering if anyone has any pics or links, info on shortening a widebox longbed and cut it down to a shortbed??

My bed has a wood floor so that would make it a bit easier I`m sure, I see a guy who specializes in doing this in around my area.

I could tackle this job myself cause I have good fabrication skills but if the guy I see who offers this service is reasonably priced I`ll just go that route.

Ya know the front part of the box is not the tricky part it the rear of the bed where the sweeping body line down the side drop down the quarter panel are it heads towards the rear of the bed, just curious to what the technique is in addressing and fabricating that area.

Any Info, Pic or Links to someone who has a build thread or has done it would be cool to see.

Thanks, Wildcard

[cafetony]

I cut mine down. And bought a new bed to make it easier. My build thread is
wounded warrior and I live in wa state. pm me if you want some help

[CG]

Several threads here on how to do this. Maybe look over in the FAQ area.

[Wildcard]

thanks Cafetony and CG, I`ll keep the offered help in mind, I have cut the frames down with a couple ways, I am mostly interested in possibilities of cutting the Box Down..

I live in Clarkston Wa, all my family on my Mom`s side lives in Wa state Originating from Port Angeles (Non Lives there anymore), my Mom who lives here and her 7 brothers and cousins etc scattered across the state. my Fathers side is in ID which is in Lewiston right across the river of 2 adjoining cities just separated my Snake River which is the Stateline. anyway pretty cool.

Let me know, Wildcard

[CG]

I think you are way over in South Eastern Wa ... Sorry I don't know anyone that lives in your area that could help you with this.

[70LonghornCST]

Here is a well-detailed thread on bed/frame shortening. Good luck!

[67ChevyRedneck]

Kevin describes the process in pretty good detail here:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=223158&page=8

EDIT: Looks like I was a little slow...

[no1udknow]

Originally Posted by Wildcard

Hello, I am wondering if anyone has any pics or links, info on shortening a widebox longbed and cut it down to a shortbed??

My bed has a wood floor so that would make it a bit easier I`m sure, I see a guy who specializes in doing this in around my area.

I could tackle this job myself cause I have good fabrication skills but if the guy I see who offers this service is reasonably priced I`ll just go that route.

Ya know the front part of the box is not the tricky part it the rear of the bed where the sweeping body line down the side drop down the quarter panel are it heads towards the rear of the bed, just curious to what the technique is in addressing and fabricating that area.

Any Info, Pic or Links to someone who has a build thread or has done it would be cool to see.

Thanks, Wildcard

I did it, watched some videos and read some other threads. The way to deal with the body line is actually a more simple answer than one would think. Line everything else up on the bed, then stick a small screwdriver in the seam, and pry the two uneven pieces together..... worked like a charm

[Twisted78SS]

While I'm not sure he is available / willing to do more of these, I know LIVRAT has done them, he will probably chime in at some point, but you could reach out to him and see how his schedule is looking. I know he is usually booked in advance, but i would certainly ask.

Best of Luck..

[dmack91]

We are in the process now. The bed is cut and welded back together and are getting ready to do the bodywork to blend. On the rear curve, we just tacked above and below a ways, then simply grabbed onto the rear portion and pulled out gently until the lines matched up.

Got the frame welded up this week and still looking for C10 running gear to swap from 3/4 ton.

[bignbad]

Dumb question but why cut a good long bed to make a short bed? Just go buy a short bed if that's what you want. There a dime a dozen for both. See them all the time for sale. Personally short beds are useless can't get a sheet of plywood in them. Just my two cents. N don't mean to offend anyone

[SierraMtns]

This video might help.

http://www.powerblocktv.com/episode/...0#.VEXbXucab-g

[dmack91]

Originally Posted by bignbad

Dumb question but why cut a good long bed to make a short bed? Just go buy a short bed if that's what you want. There a dime a dozen for both. See them all the time for sale. Personally short beds are useless can't get a sheet of plywood in them. Just my two cents. N don't mean to offend anyone

We are cutting it down because my son wanted a SWB and we already had the LWB - our time is free.

Around here, you can't find a SWB for sale (bed only). If it is a complete truck, you will spend 4-5x what you can buy a LWB for in the same condition.

[Wildcard]

Originally Posted by bignbad

Dumb question but why cut a good long bed to make a short bed? Just go buy a short bed if that's what you want. There a dime a dozen for both. See them all the time for sale. Personally short beds are useless can't get a sheet of plywood in them. Just my two cents. N don't mean to offend anyone

I have years of fabrication skills and a good longbed that looks like can be shortened in a matter of a days work. for pretty much free other than the gas and wire in my welder and cutoff wheels, and a few other item. This adds up to a Ton less than purchasing a shortbed, and most I have seen are not close to the condition of the box I have and Price out what it costs to buy a shortbox new kit, 2 quarters, bed floor, etc. Wow that's a chunk of money I could put somewhere else in this project.

Wildcard

[djgebert]

Originally Posted by bignbad

Dumb question but why cut a good long bed to make a short bed? Just go buy a short bed if that's what you want. There a dime a dozen for both. See them all the time for sale. Personally short beds are useless can't get a sheet of plywood in them. Just my two cents. N don't mean to offend anyone

The short answer to your question is money. Short beds are WAY more money in most parts of the country. If you can find factory short beds for "a dime a dozen" in your neck of the woods, I would be buying all of them I could get my hands on. In my part of the country unrestored short beds are a minimum of twice as much as a long bed and when restored they are 3-4x as much $. Solid factory short beds are getting harder to find every day.

[bs46488]

I would consider my skills as advanced-intermediate and I just completed the conversion. The more time I spent on measuring and marking my bed cut lines, the better it looks.

Out here in SoCal there is currently a SWB bed that needs body work and paint for sale at $1800.

[djgebert]

Originally Posted by bs46488

Out here in SoCal there is currently a SWB bed that needs body work and paint for sale at $1800.

Wow, I wish we had prices like that in Northern Indiana. You have to also factor in the fact that virtually every panel on an older truck around here is in need of replacement or significant repair due to rust and they are still more money!