At A Crossroad Need A Few Opinions - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

zooza · 07-23-2004, 09:00 AM

Fellow boardmembers . I have a 72 swb in fair condition. its medium red ( orange) needs a fender and cabcorners and inner and outer kick panels replaced. the bed has some rust in the floor and needs a tailgate. its a non air truck with I think maybe original 3 speed drivetrain. its low and has rally type chevy wheels. I 'd post a picture but the files are too big!
Now for the crossroad. I have located a 72 long WB that only needs an auto trans. it has a couple of very minor dings a small dent in the bed, a little rust in the cab support braces and thats about it. its an air cab deluxe. good doors. good glass carpet dash etc.
QUESTION- do I PART the lwb for my short project or do i shorten the frame on the long bed truck and use the bed from the short truck on it. it would almost be a shame to part the long one but i sooo like shorties!
I'm sure youall have had this issue come up what would you do!

vtblazer · 07-23-2004, 10:17 AM

Myself, I like shorties too.
Rather than cut the lwb frame, couldn't you put the good parts (the ones you prefer to use) on the swb and sell the lwb frame and bed?
Remove the front clip as one unit. (hood,fenders,rad support,grill) which is really easy and quick, then swap over the nicer cab to the swb frame and reinstall the clip. If you're so lucky as to be using the motor that's currently in the swb you'd be all set.
That way it would only be nuts/bolts and wires, no need to get out the welder or shorten and patch any brake lines, emergency cables or wiring.

Bamm · 07-23-2004, 11:14 AM

I agree with vt, put the good cab/front end on the shortie frame......Jerry

sactoC10 · 07-23-2004, 11:22 AM

Luv my longbed, but I'd love it even more if it were a shortbed... So if it were me, I'd use all the best parts to create a very cool SWB. My LWB is in good shape, too good to chop it up.

1971LT1SWBPOSI373 · 07-23-2004, 11:29 AM

Shortening a frame is a lot of work. Switching cabs would be a whole lot easier. Just my .02 worth. TJ

silvertonguedevil · 07-23-2004, 11:53 AM

I have to go with the flow on this one too. I have been thinking about parting out my '71 daily driver to put my '72 together. The '71 has an awesome front clip, motor and trans and the '72 has the nicer cab and is the short-wide box with no front clip, motor or trans. I'm not looking forward to it either but it just makes more sense.

zooza · 07-23-2004, 10:57 PM

That makes it easy.
I checked out the truck today man is it sweeeeeeT ! Very little needs to be done so after I get it bought its a no brainer! THanks all!

07-23-2004, 09:00 AM	#1
zooza Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: LINDEN, TN. Posts: 260	At A Crossroad Need A Few Opinions Fellow boardmembers . I have a 72 swb in fair condition. its medium red ( orange) needs a fender and cabcorners and inner and outer kick panels replaced. the bed has some rust in the floor and needs a tailgate. its a non air truck with I think maybe original 3 speed drivetrain. its low and has rally type chevy wheels. I 'd post a picture but the files are too big! Now for the crossroad. I have located a 72 long WB that only needs an auto trans. it has a couple of very minor dings a small dent in the bed, a little rust in the cab support braces and thats about it. its an air cab deluxe. good doors. good glass carpet dash etc. QUESTION- do I PART the lwb for my short project or do i shorten the frame on the long bed truck and use the bed from the short truck on it. it would almost be a shame to part the long one but i sooo like shorties! I'm sure youall have had this issue come up what would you do!

07-23-2004, 11:14 AM	#3
Bamm Cowboy Fan for Life!!!!!! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Amelia, Virginia Posts: 2,921	I agree with vt, put the good cab/front end on the shortie frame......Jerry __________________ 1967 ShortBed Fleetside 3/4 Drop 350/700R4 Tilt wheel 18 x 8 Torque Thrust II's Future mods: All new gauges & wood bed My Zip is 23002 I ship UPS, USPS

07-23-2004, 11:22 AM	#4
sactoC10 71 DELUX Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Northern CA / Sac Posts: 1,056	Luv my longbed, but I'd love it even more if it were a shortbed... So if it were me, I'd use all the best parts to create a very cool SWB. My LWB is in good shape, too good to chop it up. __________________ 5/4 drop LWB wood bed - 15x8 front 235/60 - 15x10 rear 295/50 2003 FORD Escape 1998 Honda VTR1000

07-23-2004, 11:29 AM	#5
1971LT1SWBPOSI373 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Springfield, VA Posts: 460	re Shortening a frame is a lot of work. Switching cabs would be a whole lot easier. Just my .02 worth. TJ __________________ 1971 Shortbed 350/350 w/ Posi-traction 3:73's 1996 Chevy Silverado TJ in Springfield, Virginia Likes old Chevy trucks Drinks Miller MGD

07-23-2004, 11:53 AM	#6
silvertonguedevil Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Seaside, Oregon Posts: 1,789	I have to go with the flow on this one too. I have been thinking about parting out my '71 daily driver to put my '72 together. The '71 has an awesome front clip, motor and trans and the '72 has the nicer cab and is the short-wide box with no front clip, motor or trans. I'm not looking forward to it either but it just makes more sense. __________________ -Greg My Chevy trucks, past and present: 1962 C10 SB Fleetside 1964 C10 LB Fleetside BBW 1966 C10 SB Fleetside 1966 C10 SB Fleetside BBW 1968 C10 SB Fleetside 1971 C10 LB Fleetside 1971 C10 SB Fleetside 1972 C10 SB Fleetside Cheyenne 1972 C10 SB Fleetside Cheyenne Super 1972 C10 LB Fleetside Cheyenne Super 1974 C20 Cheyenne 1979 K5 Blazer Cheyenne 1982 K10 SB Fleetside Custom Deluxe 1982 K10 SB Fleetside Scottsdale 1986 C10 SB Fleetside Silverado 2008 Silverado 1500 4x4

07-23-2004, 10:17 AM	#2
vtblazer Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Central Vermont Posts: 8,538	Myself, I like shorties too. Rather than cut the lwb frame, couldn't you put the good parts (the ones you prefer to use) on the swb and sell the lwb frame and bed? Remove the front clip as one unit. (hood,fenders,rad support,grill) which is really easy and quick, then swap over the nicer cab to the swb frame and reinstall the clip. If you're so lucky as to be using the motor that's currently in the swb you'd be all set. That way it would only be nuts/bolts and wires, no need to get out the welder or shorten and patch any brake lines, emergency cables or wiring.

07-23-2004, 10:57 PM	#7
zooza Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: LINDEN, TN. Posts: 260	That makes it easy. I checked out the truck today man is it sweeeeeeT ! Very little needs to be done so after I get it bought its a no brainer! THanks all!



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