LWB To SWB Conversion

[Austin Attebery]

I just bought a 1977 C20 and i'm trying to find a template to cut my frame does anyone have any suggestions? Been looking for a C10 short bed frame but most frames are 5+ hours away from where I live. Thankyou

 

[ali_c20]

Search for: shortening and z'ing a 1982 c10 frame at youtube, there is a series of 17 vids.

There are also longbed to shortbed kits available.

I wouldn't cut a good longbed but that's just my 0.02$.

 

[80BrownK10]

I just bought a 1977 C20 and i'm trying to find a template to cut my frame does anyone have any suggestions? Been looking for a C10 short bed frame but most frames are 5+ hours away from where I live. Thankyou

Where do you live that there isn't a short bed frame within 5 hours of you!!!!???

 

[TubeTruck]

Where do you live that there isn't a short bed frame within 5 hours of you!!!!???

He's in California. They probably all burned

 

[WFO]

You'd be better off, time, ride quality, and money wise, to just buy a short bed truck. Sell that long bed 3/4 ton to someone who needs a real truck.

 

[Craig 85]

I just bought a 1977 C20 and i'm trying to find a template to cut my frame does anyone have any suggestions? Been looking for a C10 short bed frame but most frames are 5+ hours away from where I live. Thankyou

Just my 2 cents. California titles vehicles by frame not body. I know there are plenty of vehicles that have been converted to custom street rod frames or 4x4 frames. Technically, the vehicle should be titled as whatever the frame is. In California that means they could be required to run the smog equipment for the frame that is now in the vehicle.

Car Fix cut down a LB C10 square body several years ago. Pretty detailed how they did it.

 

[80BrownK10]

He's in California. They probably all burned

I don't see how there is not a short bed within 5 hours of anywhere in California!! I know it has some remote and rural parts in that state but no short bed trucks from a 14 year period?

OP are you looking to buy one and there is not one within 5 hours or one to look at? I am sure there is a junk yard somewhere with one, or go to Walmart or Lowe's and look for one and wait and talk to the owner and ask if you could take a few measurements really quick.

 

[DoubleDingo]

Don't ruin a good truck. Yes it can be done, but for what reason? Just so you can say you have a short bed truck? Long beds are way better.

Buy a short bed truck, like stated, and sell the long bed truck. I see short bed trucks all the time, some for sale that are really decent. You need to look harder.

 

[DoubleDingo]

..........I wouldn't cut a good longbed but that's just my 0.02$.

I only like this portion of your post...

 

[mcarlo86]

Don't ruin a good truck. Yes it can be done, but for what reason? Just so you can say you have a short bed truck? Long beds are way better.

Buy a short bed truck, like stated, and sell the long bed truck. I see short bed trucks all the time, some for sale that are really decent. You need to look harder.

I second that.

 

[DoubleDingo]

One more thing, that truck being a C20 is much easier to smog than a C10. Do what you want, but just know we tried to talk you out of wasting your money.

 

[82Diesel]

Go with the Advice the guys are saying, I went 10 Hrs, for an Engine for my LeMans... Just bcuz it was All original, Numbers matching, and 60K miles.

It was worth it.
But that's another Category.

 

[DoubleDingo]

Go with the Advice the guys are saying, I went 10 Hrs, for an Engine for my LeMans... Just bcuz it was All original, Numbers matching, and 60K miles.

It was worth it.
But that's another Category.

Did a similar venture last August for a 292, 14 hour round trip. So it can be done OP

 

[WFO]

Just my 2 cents. California titles vehicles by frame not body. I know there are plenty of vehicles that have been converted to custom street rod frames or 4x4 frames. Technically, the vehicle should be titled as whatever the frame is. In California that means they could be required to run the smog equipment for the frame that is now in the vehicle.

Car Fix cut down a LB C10 square body several years ago. Pretty detailed how they did it.

Do you know if it being titled a 3/4 ton would allow more leeway, or would it be more restrictive?

 

[DoubleDingo]

Do you know if it being titled a 3/4 ton would allow more leeway, or would it be more restrictive?

I'm sure CHP would have to inspect it. Not sure if it would then be labeled a C10, or stay a C20. Personally I'd leave the C20 as-is, because if it stays a C20, you're paying commercial tags for a short bed truck. If you have to pay the commercial tags, may as well have the extra 12-ish square feet of cargo space in the bed of the truck.