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Long bed to short bed measurements.
Posted: Fri May 19, 2023 8:04 am
by 1994redram
I've read that 14" needs to be removed from the frame and bed on a '65-'71 truck to make a LWB into a SWB. That can be confirmed by the difference in the listed wheelbase. The rear of the bed has to be cut down also. I've read several different claims on the measurement in the rear. I have read it's 4", 5 3/4", and 6" difference.
I'm not going for a perfect factory restoration or appearance. But I would like it to be pretty close to factory. Does anyone have factory drawings, measurements, etc that show what a shortbed should be?
Re: Long bed to short bed measurements.
Posted: Fri May 19, 2023 8:43 pm
by nutz
not sure but think there are 2 different wheel bases on 8ft beds ...
Re: Long bed to short bed measurements.
Posted: Fri May 19, 2023 8:45 pm
by nutz
nutz wrote: ↑Fri May 19, 2023 8:43 pm
not sure but think there are 2 different wheel bases on 8ft beds ...
but the real problem is the sweptline ,getting the curve right
Re: Long bed to short bed measurements.
Posted: Fri May 19, 2023 9:20 pm
by BigBlockTrucks
Yes there are! To the best of my knowledge it changed mid year in 65.
It was supposed to accommodate slide in campers,the longer wheelbase handles it better
Re: Long bed to short bed measurements.
Posted: Fri May 19, 2023 10:16 pm
by PwrWgnDrvr
BigBlockTrucks wrote: ↑Fri May 19, 2023 9:20 pm
Yes there are! To the best of my knowledge it changed mid year in 65.
It was supposed to accommodate slide in campers,the longer wheelbase handles it better
Yes, mid yr 65 the early long wheelbase changed, as did the length of the long bed. The SWB and beds stayed the same.
But that's all irrelevant to the original question as he asked about the later 65-71 trucks specifically.
Re: Long bed to short bed measurements.
Posted: Sat May 20, 2023 7:37 am
by dodgeboykim
Link to long box to short box conversion.
viewtopic.php?f=30&t=43081
Re: Long bed to short bed measurements.
Posted: Sat May 20, 2023 8:28 am
by 1994redram
I know about the early long bed differences. The short beds are the same measurements from 61-71.
I've got a game plan for the bodyline. I started cutting lastnight and feel pretty confident it'll turn out good. My bed floor is badly beat up, few rust holes, rust holes in the rear lower bed corners, etc. If I ruin the bed, it's no huge loss.
Dodgeboykim, it's interesting that all of the literature shows a 14" wheelbase difference from a short to long bed on 65-71 trucks. The guy in that thread cut 15" out of his bed. He removed 5" from the rear.
Re: Long bed to short bed measurements.
Posted: Sat May 20, 2023 11:57 am
by dodgeboykim
1994redram wrote: ↑Sat May 20, 2023 8:28 am
Dodgeboykim, it's interesting that all of the literature shows a 14" wheelbase difference from a short to long bed on 65-71 trucks. The guy in that thread cut 15" out of his bed. He removed 5" from the rear.
I didnt pay attention to the details.
Re: Long bed to short bed measurements.
Posted: Tue May 23, 2023 6:05 am
by 1994redram
I got the front of the bed cut down this last weekend. Turned out pretty well. Still need to do some minor cleanup and it'll be ready for body work.
I'm planning on cutting the rear next weekend. Would love to see some measurements from a factory shortbed if anybody has one.
Re: Long bed to short bed measurements.
Posted: Wed Aug 09, 2023 11:31 am
by brikar
Dodgeboykim, it's interesting that all of the literature shows a 14" wheelbase difference from a short to long bed on 65-71 trucks. The guy in that thread cut 15" out of his bed. He removed 5" from the rear.
[/quote]
Looking back at my posts I failed to mention that after cutting off 15" from the front of the box, I cut 14" off that part to leave the front rolled edge that I welded back on.