shortening a 72 gmc longbed

[T_Raven]

Hey guys, I just got home on leave from Iraq. I wanted to show a little project I did a couple years ago before I went to Iraq. I didn't have a digital cam back then but I scanned some regular pics that I had.

I always loved the 67-72 GMCs short beds but they are getting pretty expensive. I'd read about shortening the frame but I had never seen anyone shorten the bed sides. I had this idea for a long time and finally got the chance to try it out when I bought this truck. My dad is in the propane biz and I bought it from a guy he use to work with so that's why it has a propane tank. It ran strictly on propane. A lot of people were shocked by that lol, but my dad has run every truck he's had on propane my whole life. When I came to Iraq I moved all my stuff to my parents house 500 miles away and didn't want to move the truck so I sold it, so I never got a chance to finish it and paint it.

but anyway, check the pics, tell me what you guys think
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/02/72gmc-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/02/72gmc2-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/02/72gmc3-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/02/72gmc4-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/02/72gmc5-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/02/72gmc6-1.jpg

[teamplex65]

thats pretty cool. did you copy a short box exactly as far as measurements? Most probably either buy a new box or find a donor short box. Did the person you sell it to ever finish it?

[T_Raven]

Yeah it had the same wheel base as a real short bed. The bed was actually in pretty bad shape so I was going to build a new one with new panels. I mostly shortened those bed sides just for some practice with modifying sheet metal. They ended up almost exactly like real short bed sides. I never got the chance to put it next to a real one to see if they were noticably different. The guy I sold it too was looking for an engine for a rock crawler and he said he might even use the propane set up rather than dealing with the problems rock crawlers have with carbs. I don't know what he ever did with it though.

[T_Raven]

I don't even know how many hours I spent on that bed but it was alot. To seperate all the panels, then drill out all the spot welds on the bed sides, cut them up and weld them back together. It would definitely be worth it to buy one of the after market bed kits with all new metal and just bolt it together. But I needed practice welding thin metal and I take pride in building things rather than buying. Plus I had never seen anyone do this and wanted to see if a long bed side would look right shortened.

[teamplex65]

looks good to me.

[T_Raven]

Thanks man, I want to get another one of these trucks when I find a good deal on one. If I end up with a good bed I might shottened that one rather than buy a new one. I think I can do much better next time, good enough to actually finish it and paint it and not be all wavy

[dadto2jays]

Great Job!!!!!

Alot of info on these trucks in www.67-72chevytrucks.com (http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com)

[nekkidhillbilly]

i actually like longbeds better

[T_Raven]

Yeah I use to hang out on 67-72chevytrucks.com quite a bit when I had that truck.

I like long beds too, but they look better lifted. I'm not all that into off roading so I like lowered short beds.

[nekkidhillbilly]

Yeah I use to hang out on 67-72chevytrucks.com quite a bit when I had that truck.

I like long beds too, but they look better lifted. I'm not all that into off roading so I like lowered short beds.


oh it looks good no offense but i like seeing longbeds dropped its different

[T_Raven]

oh it looks good no offense but i like seeing longbeds dropped its different

long beds are cool too. It all just depends on how they look. I'm kind of partial to short beds though. More sporty looking I guess.

[1971CHEVELLE]

looks good