Turning this 1970 Long bed into a short bed? Potential buy ?

[LAWFISH]

Hi, I am considering potentially buying this rig, which is for sale by a gal who was recently hit by a mini van. It obviously needs a door and probably a bed and rocker panel. That said if Im going to find a bed, then I want a short bed, so why not make it what I want. I have a W200 Power wagon short bed so I thought why not a four speed short semi hotrod too.

Has anyone done this and if so any threads on the build. I am guessing I can find the wheelbase differences easy enough. So Im going to check it out and maybe drag it home.

RUMBLON

[mike13]

I'm doing the same thing you are contemplating. Just dropped it off to the shop that is doing it so don't have any pics or info yet. I'm sure the info to do it is here but you are going to have to hunt for it. From what I've gathered so far the difference in wheel base is 14". The short bed is 114" wb and the later sweptline long beds are 128". The cuts in the frame should be made right behind the cab just passed the bed mount brackets. A length will have to be removed from the chassis at the back as well to let the bed "roll pan" clear. I'll try and get pics of the proccess and post them.

[LAWFISH]

I'm doing the same thing you are contemplating. Just dropped it off to the shop that is doing it so don't have any pics or info yet. I'm sure the info to do it is here but you are going to have to hunt for it. From what I've gathered so far the difference in wheel base is 14". The short bed is 114" wb and the later sweptline long beds are 128". The cuts in the frame should be made right behind the cab just passed the bed mount brackets. A length will have to be removed from the chassis at the back as well to let the bed "roll pan" clear. I'll try and get pics of the proccess and post them.

I know someone makes a kit for a chevy to do this swap. It comes with a template and materials. Made it look easy on the tv show I watched. Now I need to remember which show.

Dvae

[Mangra]

I saw this on velocity last week Sam's garage
https://www.brotherstrucks.com/63-72-LO ... o/LTSC372/
It's from Brothers Truck parts, and is not quite ready for sale, but close.
Maybe a great Dodge fabricator could come up with a dodge copy. Now where can we buy a new short bed?

[LAWFISH]

I saw this on velocity last week Sam's garage
https://www.brotherstrucks.com/63-72-LO ... o/LTSC372/
It's from Brothers Truck parts, and is not quite ready for sale, but close.
Maybe a great Dodge fabricator could come up with a dodge copy. Now where can we buy a new short bed?

Thats the show and kit I was talking about.

Dave

[LAWFISH]

Im buying this truck. At the very least I need a door, what years will interchange, only 68-71? It runs and drives and is a four speed. So I think I will just start collecting parts. I found a short step side bed but think I prefer a sweptline short bed.

Dave

[coelcanth]

are the door panels different ?

i thought it was just the latch and handle hardware that differed between early and late models

[wally426ci]

Hey Dave, this just showed up on a facebook group

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... =3&theater

[Hobcobble]

At the very least I need a door, what years will interchange, only 68-71?
Dave

The door latch striker/star wheel mechanisms were the same from '67-'71. The '67
doors had the old style handle & crank.
John