‘61 sweptline long box to short box

[Ckometz]

I have a ‘61 lwb that I am making into a swb. I understand that the lwb is 122”, and the swb is 114”, so I have to cut 8” from the frame. This would mean I have to remove 8” from the front of the bed. What I’m trying to figure out, is how much I have to remove from the rear of the box (behind the sweptline body line). I have searched and found a bit of information for the later beds, but nothing for the early ones.

Or if someone is able to measure an early short bed, that would be excellent! From front edge to seam where the tail light caps attach. Thanks!

Also, no need for the “it’s impossible, it can’t be done” comments.

[sledgehammer]

It can be done and has. I bought my bed off a guy in Oregon who had his done. Wish I woulda got some pics. My shortbed is a 65 1/2 - 71. The bed is off my truck now and flipped upside down. 80 inches

[Ckometz]

It can be done and has. I bought my bed off a guy in Oregon who had his done. Wish I woulda got some pics. My shortbed is a 65 1/2 - 71. The bed is off my truck now and flipped upside down. 80 inches44F01238-B825-436E-95BB-CAD7D1E04E7F.jpegFB930BA7-7A15-478B-B93C-BED3C51B45A3.jpeg

Thanks so much! That’s exactly what I needed. I know it can/has been done, but a lot of guys on the internet say it can’t.

Anyways, thanks again. I appreciate it.

[PwrWgnDrvr]

Is an early shortbed the same length as a late shortbed?

[Wildergarten]

I have a ‘61 lwb that I am making into a swb. I understand that the lwb is 122”, and the swb is 114”, so I have to cut 8” from the frame. T

If you haven't, you might wish to scope this thread: https://www.sweptline.org/forums/viewto ... 30&t=43081
The project is current and the documentation is excellent.

[sledgehammer]

I wish I would of taken all the measurements. Went out and measured more and came up with this. The top measurement is shorter then gets longer on the bottom. So sorry I didn’t measure all of it at once. I have the bed upside down so first pic is the bottom and second is the top.

[Ckometz]

I wish I would of taken all the measurements. Went out and measured more and came up with this. The top measurement is shorter then gets longer on the bottom. So sorry I didn’t measure all of it at once. I have the bed upside down so first pic is the bottom and second is the top.

No worries. Thanks a lot!

[Ckometz]

[Ckometz]

I trimmed the front and rear flanges/ends leaving 1”. I then cut an 8” section out of the front, and 12 1/4”, making the overall length (from front edge to rear seam) 80”.

[Ckometz]

Got it all welded up. It’s surprising how close the body lines are after sectioning/shortening it. It was easier than I thought it would be

[Red383]

Nice work.

[sledgehammer]

Very nice, and plenty of pictures.

[Jim100]

Nice. I have a dumb question. You have to cut the frame down right? So you have to move the rear springs forward as well? Or you cut the frame somewhere forward of the rear springs? Just curious.
Thanks.

[PwrWgnDrvr]

Nice. I have a dumb question. You have to cut the frame down right? So you have to move the rear springs forward as well? Or you cut the frame somewhere forward of the rear springs? Just curious.
Thanks.

Has to be done in the middle somewhere. Pics are in drummerdad's build.

[brikar]

excellent work! if you can't find one build one I always say It will be nice to see another sweptline cruising around here in Alberta. I've only come across a few of them on the road here.

[Ckometz]

Update on the ‘61. Cut the frame, fish-plated the inside and then boxed it. Got the other bed side shortened, and started straightening the tail light caps.

[Ckometz]

Mocked up a bedside to see how everything lines up.

[Ckometz]

36FE57AB-545D-4D74-963C-3E0BEA04E97D.jpeg

[Red383]

Nice work.

[hmaynord]

It was easier than I thought it would be

always great to see what's easy to the skilled