Short bed conversion - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

FNBasham · 01-09-2017, 04:41 PM

So I was looking to cut my truck down I know 20 inches needs to be removed does anybody have a good diagram of where to cut and what else needs to be changed besides fuel an brake lines and the driveshaft

Oh and on an other note if anybody knows where to get a shortbed stepside bed that will fit a 74 c10 please hit me up

daddyjeep · 01-09-2017, 05:02 PM

14" between the front two bed mounting holes. How you cut is a common argument, but I went with a 45 degree cut myself. There really isn't a precise measurement from the front hole or back hole, just remove the 14" between them. The e-brake cable will need changed or modified and the gas tank will need to be changed. Either a short bed tank needs swapped in or as many do, a blazer tank can be installed.

FNBasham · 01-09-2017, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daddyjeep

14" between the front two bed mounting holes. How you cut is a common argument, but I went with a 45 degree cut myself. There really isn't a precise measurement from the front hole or back hole, just remove the 14" between them. The e-brake cable will need changed or modified and the gas tank will need to be changed. Either a short bed tank needs swapped in or as many do, a blazer tank can be installed.

So how much do you cut off the back

daddyjeep · 01-09-2017, 07:44 PM

That seems to vary a bit. I cut about 3", but I haven't cut down my bed yet so it might not be right.

cochino12 · 01-09-2017, 08:37 PM

I've done three of these conversions and I've always cut about 3" off the back, I left as much frame there as possible to have room for bumper brackets.

FNBasham · 01-09-2017, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cochino12

I've done three of these conversions and I've always cut about 3" off the back, I left as much frame there as possible to have room for bumper brackets.

So besides cutting and welding does anything else need to be removed and do I need to attach a new bed mounting point?

Also where did you get the shortbeds from you put on the swaps

daddyjeep · 01-09-2017, 09:43 PM

The bed bolts to the frame so...no, no new mounting points. I cut my bed down to a short bed. That is not the best route though. Find a used bed or buy all the parts from LMC to build a new one.

cochino12 · 01-09-2017, 09:47 PM

There is also a rear crossmember that can be moved forward. The holes were already drilled in the 1/2 ton I did but you'll need to drill them if you are working on a crew cab.

SCOTI · 01-10-2017, 10:59 AM

Shortening brake lines & re-routing or shortening electrical.
SWB specific gas tanks or aftermarket swap.

moregrip · 01-10-2017, 11:14 AM

great info, I'm in for this mod to my LB as well! Post up pics if you can when you start the project brother!

SkinnyG · 01-10-2017, 07:07 PM

You could give a look through my shortened bed write up:

http://www.gwellwood.com/project-car...ing-the-frame/

01-09-2017, 04:41 PM	#1
FNBasham Registered User Join Date: May 2014 Location: tampa fl Posts: 22	Short bed conversion So I was looking to cut my truck down I know 20 inches needs to be removed does anybody have a good diagram of where to cut and what else needs to be changed besides fuel an brake lines and the driveshaft Oh and on an other note if anybody knows where to get a shortbed stepside bed that will fit a 74 c10 please hit me up

01-09-2017, 05:02 PM	#2
daddyjeep Registered User Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Smethport, PA Posts: 1,213	Re: Short bed conversion 14" between the front two bed mounting holes. How you cut is a common argument, but I went with a 45 degree cut myself. There really isn't a precise measurement from the front hole or back hole, just remove the 14" between them. The e-brake cable will need changed or modified and the gas tank will need to be changed. Either a short bed tank needs swapped in or as many do, a blazer tank can be installed. __________________ 85 K30 crew cab dually - Project http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=694939 87 Wrangler Rock Crawler - Reason for the project http://www.wranglerforum.com/f330/da...ld-122601.html 04 1500 crew cab http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=786514

01-09-2017, 07:44 PM	#4
daddyjeep Registered User Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Smethport, PA Posts: 1,213	Re: Short bed conversion That seems to vary a bit. I cut about 3", but I haven't cut down my bed yet so it might not be right. __________________ 85 K30 crew cab dually - Project http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=694939 87 Wrangler Rock Crawler - Reason for the project http://www.wranglerforum.com/f330/da...ld-122601.html 04 1500 crew cab http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=786514

01-09-2017, 08:37 PM	#5
cochino12 It followed me home? Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Yup Posts: 5,751	Re: Short bed conversion I've done three of these conversions and I've always cut about 3" off the back, I left as much frame there as possible to have room for bumper brackets. __________________ Adam That's why they call it a shortcut Kyle, if it was easy it would just be the way. 86 c-10 SWB 85 CCSB 90 GMC K30 Crew SRW 1985 C30 Dually

01-09-2017, 09:43 PM	#7
daddyjeep Registered User Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Smethport, PA Posts: 1,213	Re: Short bed conversion The bed bolts to the frame so...no, no new mounting points. I cut my bed down to a short bed. That is not the best route though. Find a used bed or buy all the parts from LMC to build a new one. __________________ 85 K30 crew cab dually - Project http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=694939 87 Wrangler Rock Crawler - Reason for the project http://www.wranglerforum.com/f330/da...ld-122601.html 04 1500 crew cab http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=786514

01-09-2017, 09:47 PM	#8
cochino12 It followed me home? Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Yup Posts: 5,751	Re: Short bed conversion There is also a rear crossmember that can be moved forward. The holes were already drilled in the 1/2 ton I did but you'll need to drill them if you are working on a crew cab. __________________ Adam That's why they call it a shortcut Kyle, if it was easy it would just be the way. 86 c-10 SWB 85 CCSB 90 GMC K30 Crew SRW 1985 C30 Dually

01-10-2017, 10:59 AM	#9
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 21,915	Re: Short bed conversion Shortening brake lines & re-routing or shortening electrical. SWB specific gas tanks or aftermarket swap. __________________ 67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... *Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol.*

01-10-2017, 11:14 AM	#10
moregrip Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 810	Re: Short bed conversion great info, I'm in for this mod to my LB as well! Post up pics if you can when you start the project brother! __________________ 1983 Chevy C10 250/3spd (current project truck) 1976 Chevy C10 350/350 Heavy Half (future project truck)

01-10-2017, 07:07 PM	#11
SkinnyG Registered User Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Beautiful BC, Canada, eh?! Posts: 2,176	Re: Short bed conversion You could give a look through my shortened bed write up: http://www.gwellwood.com/project-car...ing-the-frame/ __________________ 1961 Apache: "Grabber Orange" Shortboxed, pancake, step-notch, air-ride, boosted-LS 1977 Silverado: Shortboxed & dropped, potato-potato V8 Pontiac Firefly (Chevy Sprint): The ultimate engine swap: 5.7L in a 1.0L bag Lotus Super 7 Replica: Scratch-built street-legal rollerskate



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