Thread: chevy long bed to short

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Has anyone converted a 67-72 chevy long bed to short bed. classic trucks mag did one a few months back, i think it was a 66, what i need to know is information on 67-72.like how much to cut front and rear ,to get it to look right. i cannot find a short bed to compare to.thanks

guy, the quick answer to your question is 115" vs 127" wheelbase.

All the "extra" length is in the "middle" of the frame. Shortening a frame is not that big a deal if you remember the basics, have excellent welding skills, reinforce the cut section, and are accurate in your measurements and cuts. There'll be a bunch of "little" things that need to be dealt with e.g. X member modification, shortening of brake lines, e brake cables, drive shaft, etc. Don't start the job without having the shorter bed as you'll likely need to move the bed mounting brackets.

Personally, I'd put the extra effort into finding a SWB frame and bed and transfer my LWB stuff over, and then only if my LWB stuff was so much better than what would be available otherwise. And you didn't even mention whether the LWB was a 1/2 ton or not. If it's a 3/4 ton I wouldn't bother. This is one of those kind of projects where you're almost better off selling the LWB rig and finding a SWB to replace it with. Especially if there's going to be a lot of body work to be done on the existing fenders, cab, etc.

There is a Chevy of that vintage running around our town that looks for all the world like he had a long wheelbase truck and spun a short bed around backwards on it. It really looks pretty neat. It's a fleetside and the rear wheelwells are almost at the back of the truck. Gives it kind of a bob-tail look. I have not had a chance to talk with him, just seen it on the street. He had to swap the tail gate from one end to the other, but he built a custom one. He's got it nicely lowered with wheels and tires that fill real well. It's still in primer so I'm sure he has more to do. Maybe this will give you some ideas.

Pat

The dimensions are the same on those trucks as far as the bed goes, which would tell me the frames are pretty much the same also.
I know the sheet metal design is different cosmetically, however if you were to replace the wooden floors on late 60 -72 trucks the length and widths of the boards used are the same for those years.
I imagine you could use the article for the 66 you were talking about and apply it to your 67-72 truck.
You could also check with some one like www.earlyclassic.com or www.gmcpauls.com. They would know for sure.

Incidentily I am also looking at a similar venture. I have a 71 K5 4x4 Blazer and accualy am looking for a good long box 2WD since I have had no luck in finding anything that is a short box pickup of that year under 5000. I want to make my Blazer a 2wd and put air suspention on it. Make it more a road cruiser. I plan on getting a long box pickup and swap the blazer frame rite under the pickup cab while shortening the pickup frame to fit my Blazer body. No big prob yet,, till ya look at the pickup BOX.. Shortening it is a problem due to one line on the fleetside at about door handle level and runs the length to above the tail lights. well it is at an angle. Cutting a chunk out of the box just won't work it looks like. would miss mach the lines... Anyone have idea's? Currently I am thinkin it's going to be a wheeling rig after I do what I wanna do so I may build a Flat bed with a bunch of tool boxes and tanks and so on. But would still like to have a box.
Devin

67-72 Chevy

67- 72 Chevy

I read the article on shortening the 66 chevy in classic trucks mag. I am in the process of shortening a 71. The frame is no problem, But I think you best bet is to buy a good shortbed for the 67 to 72 body style. The earlier trucks have a much straighter body line at the very bottom of the side making them easier to shorten. Were the 67-72 angle upward from the rear tire to the rear bumper. This would be the hardest to get to look correct.

I saw this one at Cruisin' the Coast in 2002. It appears to be a LWB truck with a SWB bed on it. He made up the difference by building an extended cab! Looks cool!

http://community.webshots.com/photo/...12648700sGhUbe

inside of the bed

http://community.webshots.com/photo/...12648196xKyUpM

several guys on this site have done it, check it out.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/f...3?s=&forumid=3