Anyone here done a long bed to short bed conversion?

[Nasty-LSX]

I'm looking for a 87 model short bed truck to make into a weekend warrior..
LS2 with 4L80 trans with gearvendors overdrive. Short bed silverado in ok shape in my area are $5000.00 plus. I can find decent longbeds for $1500 plus all day.
So it got me thinking, it can't be hard to shorten a frame. Has anyone here done this? Or have any info for the steps involved? Looking for a stepside bed also.

 

[bluex]

Ya I've done it. 14" out of the middle. New rear brake line, parking brake cables, 16 gal gas tank and I think 5.75" off the end. I don't remember exactly I cut just enough off so the bed would sit down.

Have you ever seen the show Car Fix with Lou an Jared from muscle car? He cut one down on there an showed how to do it an keep 3 of the bed mounting holes so they lined up. Wish I had figured that out as I drilled 6 of mine an they are slightly off. The title of the episode was long an short of it or something like that.

 

[smoothandlow84]

My 84 started life as a longbed, now a shortbed fleetside. I made the cut on the frame just behind the side gas tanks. Don't make a vertical cut when shortening the frame. I opted to cut staggered for best frame strength and it helps to ensure it will end up straight and even. I will look for a write up describing this technique since its a common modification these days from long to shortbed.

 

[bluex]

I cut mine straight an it's plenty strong an was perfectly even. No signs of any adverse effects from the straight cut an it's been done 11 yrs now.

 

[smoothandlow84]

Its far better to notch the frame then cut it straight, especially if you plan on putting anything in the bed. Reinforcing the frame with additional steel plate helps too. If you cut it straight and didnt reinforce with plate, then you're lucky. Cutting the frame at an angle would even be stronger than a straight cut.

 

[J Knight]

You want to run a 4L80 and a gear vender overdrive?

 

[bluex]

Its far better to notch the frame then cut it straight, especially if you plan on putting anything in the bed. Reinforcing the frame with additional steel plate helps too. If you cut it straight and didnt reinforce with plate, then you're lucky. Cutting the frame at an angle would even be stronger than a straight cut.

Of course it's reinforced, that goes without saying. I've loaded the truck down plenty since its been done with no issues. If an angle or step cut makes you feel better that's fine to. A PROPERLY welded an reinforced straight cut is fine as well an isn't the death trap everyone claims it is...

 

[Reno81K20]

I remember an episode of Trucks! TV where they made a shortbed out of a longbed. I had a thought of doing something like that. But im not the good with a torch and welder.

Here is a link to that episode:
http://www.powerblocktv.com/episode/TK2007-10/one-half-a-c-10#.VZmHyPmzqiz


They make it look so easy.

 

[MadOgre]

You want to run a 4L80 and a gear vender overdrive?

I was wondering about that as well ???

 

[Old77]

Ya I've done it. 14" out of the middle. New rear brake line, parking brake cables, 16 gal gas tank and I think 5.75" off the end. I don't remember exactly I cut just enough off so the bed would sit down.

Have you ever seen the show Car Fix with Lou an Jared from muscle car? He cut one down on there an showed how to do it an keep 3 of the bed mounting holes so they lined up. Wish I had figured that out as I drilled 6 of mine an they are slightly off. The title of the episode was long an short of it or something like that.

Nice info, Paul Stacey David from Gears has done this as well and has vids on YouTube showing it. Very helpful IMO

 

[highdesertrange]

x2 on the 4L80 and the gear vendors OD. highdesertranger

 

[bluex]

Nice info, Paul Stacey David from Gears has done this as well and has vids on YouTube showing it. Very helpful IMO

If you go over to YouTube an search car fix season 1 episode 4 you can find the one I mentioned. After watching that I wish I had done mine that way. Its definitely the way to do it.

 

[Nasty-LSX]

You want to run a 4L80 and a gear vender overdrive?

That would make it and 8 speed, No??

 

[J Knight]

That would make it and 8 speed, No??

Yes it would, I just was curious because your original post seemed like you you didn't know a 4L80 was an overdrive tranny. My mistake. LOL

 

[Nasty-LSX]

Yes it would, I just was curious because your original post seemed like you you didn't know a 4L80 was an overdrive tranny. My mistake. LOL

With an LS2/3 I think it would make it more fun to drive

I was thinking of a T56 MAGNUM, but i think there would be no traction. No slicks. Rear wheel will be 18/12.5 with a 335/30

You have a PM