how many inches longer is a longbed than a shortbed? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

gabet40 · 08-25-2002, 04:01 PM

im cuttin my long frame on my 55 to short and need to know how much to cut out. anyone know?

rico_bob · 09-08-2002, 03:12 AM

Gabet - The easy answer is that a short bed has a wheel base of 114.0 inches (center of wheel to center of wheel). The long bed has a wheel base of 123-1/4 inches ( or it did until you lit up that "hot wrench"!) Ha! Ha!

Best thing you need to get your hands on is a 1955 Truck Factory Assembly Manual by Chevrolet. They sell for around $25.00. I wouldn't walk into my shop with out one!

Good luck - and go slowly - and be sure to "box in the frame" at least 18" inches each way of the cut. Double check each measurement and be sure to "square it up" by measuring the frame across diagonally at all points (yep, you do need that reference manual!)

PS: HEY? Why cut it down? Why not turn it into an extended cab? ? ?

rico_bob (aka:Richard in MI)

Rico's Rods & Relics - "Treasure the Ride in Pride"
942 South Clare - Harrison, MI 48625

50's dude · 02-01-2003, 04:57 PM

I thought about doing the extended cab thing to my 55 3600 stepside too. I looked on the internet and found one. I think It totally takes away from the look of the truck. In my 1955 factory assembly manual it says the length of the frame is 178.05" overall for the short beds and 190.05" on the long. That is from end to end. I wouldn't use wheel base as a measure because 3100 and [3200 and 3600] trucks have different springs and weight pushing on the springs (which will change the wheelbase) depending on how much weight is pushing on it. we all know the long beds are heavier.

50's dude · 02-01-2003, 05:05 PM

cut out 12'' not 9.25"

Seon · 02-02-2003, 11:18 AM

Why not just find a short wheel base frame? I'm in Sac/Stockton area and got one if you're interested.

08-25-2002, 04:01 PM	#1
gabet40 Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Modesto, CA Posts: 565	how many inches longer is a longbed than a shortbed? im cuttin my long frame on my 55 to short and need to know how much to cut out. anyone know? __________________ Current owner of 2016 2500 Silverado Midnight Edition. Former owner of: 69 1/2 ton, change from long/fleet to short/fleet, shaved door handles, shaved tailgate, 4/6 drop, power windows, 700r4 72 blazer, 350 with Holley Commander 950 DFI, crane energizer cam, 350 tranny, dual sanderson blockhuggers/magnaflow exhaust

09-08-2002, 03:12 AM	#2
rico_bob "Treasure the Ride" Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Mid Michigan, Harrison Michigan, USA Posts: 682	Whoops! Cut it twice and it's still too short! Gabet - The easy answer is that a short bed has a wheel base of 114.0 inches (center of wheel to center of wheel). The long bed has a wheel base of 123-1/4 inches ( or it did until you lit up that "hot wrench"!) Ha! Ha! Best thing you need to get your hands on is a 1955 Truck Factory Assembly Manual by Chevrolet. They sell for around $25.00. I wouldn't walk into my shop with out one! Good luck - and go slowly - and be sure to "box in the frame" at least 18" inches each way of the cut. Double check each measurement and be sure to "square it up" by measuring the frame across diagonally at all points (yep, you do need that reference manual!) PS: HEY? Why cut it down? Why not turn it into an extended cab? ? ? rico_bob (aka:Richard in MI) Rico's Rods & Relics - "Treasure the Ride in Pride" 942 South Clare - Harrison, MI 48625 __________________ If you think you can you're right. If you think you can't you're still right. Trucks: '56 SWB; '57 SWB; '63 C-10 Current projects: 1963 Long Fleetside for the wife! '56 for the daughter. Visit us at: www.ricos-rods-and-relics.com Last edited by rico_bob; 09-08-2002 at 03:19 AM.

02-01-2003, 04:57 PM	#3
50's dude Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: clearwater Posts: 11	I thought about doing the extended cab thing to my 55 3600 stepside too. I looked on the internet and found one. I think It totally takes away from the look of the truck. In my 1955 factory assembly manual it says the length of the frame is 178.05" overall for the short beds and 190.05" on the long. That is from end to end. I wouldn't use wheel base as a measure because 3100 and [3200 and 3600] trucks have different springs and weight pushing on the springs (which will change the wheelbase) depending on how much weight is pushing on it. we all know the long beds are heavier.

02-01-2003, 05:05 PM	#4
50's dude Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: clearwater Posts: 11	cut out 12'' not 9.25"

02-02-2003, 11:18 AM	#5
Seon Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Northern CA. Posts: 503	Why not just find a short wheel base frame? I'm in Sac/Stockton area and got one if you're interested.



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