long to short bed conversion - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**michael bustamante** · 10-25-2007, 05:43 PM

Do any of you guys have a how-to converting a long bed to short bed? I`m thinking maybe of chopping the longbed and making a shortbed out of it if possible.

lotussutol · 10-25-2007, 07:24 PM

It can be done. I do not know what the length is that needs to be removed though.

I am pretty sure that you have to remove length from behind the cab before the rear axle.

I do not think any length has to be removed behind the rear axle though.

just like anything measure measure measure before you cut and make sure it is all level from side to side and front to back before welding it back up.

tiggerstoy · 10-25-2007, 07:25 PM

i know how to do it to a 55 chevy, i did mine, not sure the measurements on a 67...sorry....max.

**michael bustamante** · 10-26-2007, 12:00 PM

actually I`m thinking of converting the 49 GMC to a short bed. I got the frame part figured. I just dont know where to start on the bed. I `m going to be replacing the front wall of the bed that goes against the cab due to rot but the rest of the bed is actually restorable concidering the age. any info. would be great!!

tiggerstoy · 10-26-2007, 08:01 PM

what i did for mine was, after i measured the cut line one the frame, i put the box back on took the measurment from the back of the cab at the frame, to the front of the box, minus that measurment from the frame cut measurment, thats how much you need to cut from the box to get the rite box length, you will have to drill & remouve the box corner posts, weld them back on flush to the new front of box sides....the new box front plate you plan to buy will give you the new holes to drill.....hope this helps....max.

68c10owner · 10-27-2007, 01:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by michael bustamante

Do any of you guys have a how-to converting a long bed to short bed? I`m thinking maybe of chopping the longbed and making a shortbed out of it if possible.

try the 67-72 board. tons of info and several build threads.

Daniel U · 10-27-2007, 03:02 AM

You know you can buy the aftermaket ones if you don't want to hack up the factory long bedsides. Ever though of using the longbedsides for a trailor? I was going to do it until I realized I didn't want a tow hitch on my '54. Just a thought......

**michael bustamante** · 10-27-2007, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tiggerstoy

what i did for mine was, after i measured the cut line one the frame, i put the box back on took the measurment from the back of the cab at the frame, to the front of the box, minus that measurment from the frame cut measurment, thats how much you need to cut from the box to get the rite box length, you will have to drill & remouve the box corner posts, weld them back on flush to the new front of box sides....the new box front plate you plan to buy will give you the new holes to drill.....hope this helps....max.

sure does max. thanks. I thought about using the longbed as a trailor but.... you know, money and time.

tiggerstoy · 10-27-2007, 01:26 PM

no prob...you mite whant to ask if someone can give you the proper length of a short box side, just so you have something to go on, good luck....max.

10-25-2007, 05:43 PM	#1
michael bustamante Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Albuquerque NM Posts: 7,814	long to short bed conversion Do any of you guys have a how-to converting a long bed to short bed? I`m thinking maybe of chopping the longbed and making a shortbed out of it if possible. __________________ 1967custom

10-25-2007, 07:24 PM	#2
lotussutol Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Taft, CA Posts: 140	Re: long to short bed conversion It can be done. I do not know what the length is that needs to be removed though. I am pretty sure that you have to remove length from behind the cab before the rear axle. I do not think any length has to be removed behind the rear axle though. just like anything measure measure measure before you cut and make sure it is all level from side to side and front to back before welding it back up. __________________ Lotus Current Rides/Projects 1955.5 Chevy shortbed truck 1952 Chevy Coupe Deluxe car

10-25-2007, 07:25 PM	#3
tiggerstoy tiggerstoy Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: camrose Alberta Canada Posts: 416	Re: long to short bed conversion i know how to do it to a 55 chevy, i did mine, not sure the measurements on a 67...sorry....max.

10-26-2007, 12:00 PM	#4
michael bustamante Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Albuquerque NM Posts: 7,814	Re: long to short bed conversion actually I`m thinking of converting the 49 GMC to a short bed. I got the frame part figured. I just dont know where to start on the bed. I `m going to be replacing the front wall of the bed that goes against the cab due to rot but the rest of the bed is actually restorable concidering the age. any info. would be great!! __________________ 1967custom

10-26-2007, 08:01 PM	#5
tiggerstoy tiggerstoy Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: camrose Alberta Canada Posts: 416	Re: long to short bed conversion what i did for mine was, after i measured the cut line one the frame, i put the box back on took the measurment from the back of the cab at the frame, to the front of the box, minus that measurment from the frame cut measurment, thats how much you need to cut from the box to get the rite box length, you will have to drill & remouve the box corner posts, weld them back on flush to the new front of box sides....the new box front plate you plan to buy will give you the new holes to drill.....hope this helps....max.

10-27-2007, 03:02 AM	#7
Daniel U Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Central Coast, CA. Posts: 1,202	Re: long to short bed conversion You know you can buy the aftermaket ones if you don't want to hack up the factory long bedsides. Ever though of using the longbedsides for a trailor? I was going to do it until I realized I didn't want a tow hitch on my '54. Just a thought...... __________________ Mom's 1954 (TBI 5.7/700R4/14 bolt 4:10) 5 Chevrolet window 3/4 ton long bed Pick up build thread ->http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=228674 My 1954 (TPI 5.7/700R4/10 bolt 3:73) Chevrolet 5 window 1/2 ton short bed Pick up build thread->http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...3&goto=newpost 1960 (400/T350/?) Apache 10 short/fleet side-big window 1973 (TPI 5.7/700R4/14 bolt 4:10 w DANA 60 front) Chevrolet Cheyenne 4X4 2013 (Vortec 5.3/6-speed 6L90 automatic) Sierra LT CREW CAB Doing my part to warm the globe

10-27-2007, 01:26 PM	#9
tiggerstoy tiggerstoy Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: camrose Alberta Canada Posts: 416	Re: long to short bed conversion no prob...you mite whant to ask if someone can give you the proper length of a short box side, just so you have something to go on, good luck....max.



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