Bed swap issues?

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

cmcgoo

Junior Member
Joined
Sep 22, 2024
Posts
1
Reaction score
0
Location
el paso
First Name
chris
Truck Year
1986
Truck Model
k30
Engine Size
350
Got a k30 with a 9ft service bed that I want to remove. My question is.. would a normal 8ft bed fit easily in its place? Or will modifications be needed?
 

Rickf

Full Access Member
Joined
Jul 29, 2017
Posts
574
Reaction score
716
Location
Grafton NH
First Name
Rick
Truck Year
1974, 1954 & a 1937
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
350
If you center the rear axle in the wheel well opening, there will be a larger than "normal" gap between the bed and cab.
 

Turbo4whl

Supporting Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Oct 30, 2019
Posts
3,155
Reaction score
7,323
Location
Downingtown, PA
First Name
Wayne
Truck Year
1974
Truck Model
Jimmy
Engine Size
350
Assuming your K30 is duel rear wheels, also an issue with inner tire clearance. The factory 8' bed would have the widest rear axle. Then extended fiberglass fenders to cover the outside tires.

Most service body duel wheel trucks have a narrower rear axle. This keeps the rear wheels more inline with the front. The bed is over top of the inner tires. You could extend your inner fenders but you loose the full 4' between the fenders on the bed floor.
 

SquareRoot

Full Access Member
Joined
Mar 18, 2017
Posts
4,230
Reaction score
8,123
Location
Arizona
First Name
Mike
Truck Year
85
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
350
Dual. And what is a "service bed"? Curious minds want to know. Better yet, spit a pic.
 

Ricko1966

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 11, 2017
Posts
5,595
Reaction score
9,110
Location
kansas
First Name
Rick
Truck Year
1975
Truck Model
c20
Engine Size
350
Dual. And what is a "service bed"? Curious minds want to know. Better yet, spit a pic.
But in reality, there could be dueling axels
 

Attachments

  • Screenshot_2024-09-22_220451.jpg
    Screenshot_2024-09-22_220451.jpg
    97.1 KB · Views: 16
  • Screenshot_2024-09-22_220245.jpg
    Screenshot_2024-09-22_220245.jpg
    94.8 KB · Views: 12

Grit dog

Full Access Member
Joined
May 18, 2020
Posts
7,086
Reaction score
12,465
Location
Auburn, Washington
First Name
Todd
Truck Year
1986, 1977
Truck Model
K20, C10
Engine Size
454, 350
OP depends whether your truck was originally a pickup or a cab n chassis. Take some measurements. You can look up all the dimensions on GM heritage center. But if you can measure a long bed pickup you can compare.
 

SquareRoot

Full Access Member
Joined
Mar 18, 2017
Posts
4,230
Reaction score
8,123
Location
Arizona
First Name
Mike
Truck Year
85
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
350
I still want to know what a Service Bed is and why it's longer than a long bed?
 

legopnuematic

Licensed Junk Dealer
Supporting Member
Joined
Oct 27, 2016
Posts
2,611
Reaction score
6,880
Location
MO
First Name
Spencer
Truck Year
1971, 1̶9̶7̶4, 1976, 1979,1̶9̶8̶5, 2002
Truck Model
Dart Swinger, Sierra 10, C10 Cheyenne, C10 Big Ten, Silverado 10, Ram 2500
Engine Size
225/6, 350 c.i., 350 c.i., 5.9l Cummins
I still want to know what a Service Bed is and why it's longer than a long bed?
You must be registered for see images attach


Generally service beds are a little longer, see 11 foot on cab and chassis pretty often, 9 foot, 8 foot, 7 foot (uncommon but exist).
 

SquareRoot

Full Access Member
Joined
Mar 18, 2017
Posts
4,230
Reaction score
8,123
Location
Arizona
First Name
Mike
Truck Year
85
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
350
You must be registered for see images attach


Generally service beds are a little longer, see 11 foot on cab and chassis pretty often, 9 foot, 8 foot, 7 foot (uncommon but exist).
But don't they all still bolt to the frame using the factory locations?
 

SquareRoot

Full Access Member
Joined
Mar 18, 2017
Posts
4,230
Reaction score
8,123
Location
Arizona
First Name
Mike
Truck Year
85
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
350
Still can’t tell whether you’re being obstinately sarcastic or serious.
I'm serious. This is an area I know nothing about. I thought all long beds would be the same so it didn't matter what got bolted to them. I did not know chassis cabs were different. Geez, so judgemental. Lol
 

Ricko1966

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 11, 2017
Posts
5,595
Reaction score
9,110
Location
kansas
First Name
Rick
Truck Year
1975
Truck Model
c20
Engine Size
350
I'm serious. This is an area I know nothing about. I thought all long beds would be the same so it didn't matter what got bolted to them. I did not know chassis cabs were different. Geez, so judgemental. Lol
Yes,and we've noticed you watching your spelling real well,so you don't get reprimanded.
 
Last edited:

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
44,414
Posts
956,943
Members
36,734
Latest member
wjh1175
Top