Modify long bed to short bed.
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New User
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Farmington, NM
Modify long bed to short bed.
I have a 63 F100 4x4 stepside that I am restoring and I want to put a short box on it. But short boxes are impossible to find sooooo how hard would it be to modify a longbed to be a shortbed? Has anyone done this?
I am a welder by trade so that won't be a problem.
Thanks!
I am a welder by trade so that won't be a problem.
Thanks!
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 12,281
Likes: 1
From: Saskatoon Saskatchewan
Well i dont think it would be that hard maybe tricky being a welder does help you will have to shorten the frame and the bed but i dont know how much first im guessing you need to find out the dimensions of the long box and of the short box then go from there sounds like a neat idea
Tuned
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 305
Likes: 1
From: Fuquay Varina, NC
IF I was a welder and had the skills to be a full-throttle customizer, I have thought about converting my 8' bed '66 into a '66 extended cab. I'd take back 2' of a doner cab and then just shorten the front of the bed to about 6', and there ya go: a custom '66 with room for different seats, storage behind the seats in the cab, maybe even stuff some young-ones back.
You can use my idea to practice on your truck then come over and do mine!
You can use my idea to practice on your truck then come over and do mine!
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,222
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From: East Central Florida
, First of all, Welcome to FTE and the 1961-1966 forum Stanger64 
I am confused here. FoMoCo calls cargo boxes either a Flareside or a Styleside. Step Side isChevrolets
name for a Flareside box. It has fenders, no wheel wells. It's also narrower than a 63 Slick's cab width.
A Styleside box has wheel wells in the box, has slab or flush, smooth sides. A 1963 Styleside should have
been a 57-60 style aka "Refrigerator Type Box".
You want to cut down an 8' foot Flareside box, we are not talking about shortening a LWB chassis here, right?
If so, yes you can shorten a 8' box by trimming off any excess then refitting shortened box to a SWB Chassis.
If you are considering cutting your chassis to shorten the wheel base of a LWB 63 F-100 I advise against it. Before
I'd cut and splice a chassis, I'd upgrade to a later SWB 4X4 Chassis altogether, perhaps a 73-79 version.
Anyway Yes you can shorten a Flareside box. Use the fender location as your starting point. Trim to fit so your
wheels center up in wheel openings of your fenders. Otherwise you end up with a "Rube Goldberg" calamity.
Hey it's my $.02 on the deal. Again, Welcome to FTE Stanger64.
FBp
Last edited by FordBoypete; Jun 19, 2007 at 07:50 AM.
Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Farmington, NM
Originally Posted by FordBoypete
, First of all, Welcome to FTE and the 1961-1966 forum Stanger64 I am confused here. FoMoCo calls cargo boxes either a Flareside or a Styleside. Step Side isChevrolets
name for a Flareside box. It has fenders, no wheel wells. It's also narrower than a 63 Slick's cab width.
A Styleside box has wheel wells in the box, has slab or flush, smooth sides. A 1963 Styleside should have
been a 57-60 style aka "Refrigerator Type Box".
You want to cut down an 8' foot Flareside box, we are not talking about shortening a LWB chassis here, right?
If so, yes you can shorten a 8' box by trimming off any excess then refitting shortened box to a SWB Chassis.
If you are considering cutting your chassis to shorten the wheel base of a LWB 63 F-100 I advise against it. Before
I'd cut and splice a chassis, I'd upgrade to a later SWB 4X4 Chassis altogether, perhaps a 73-79 version.
Anyway Yes you can shorten a Flareside box. Use the fender location as your starting point. Trim to fit so your
wheels center up in wheel openings of your fenders. Otherwise you end up with a "Rube Goldberg" calamity.
Hey it's my $.02 on the deal. Again, Welcome to FTE Stanger64.
FBp
I want to change a flareside to a short styleside. BUT I am having an extemely difficult time finding a short box. Hence, the question about converting a long bed to a short bed.
And we think alike as I have a SWB 75 Chassis waiting for me.
I will post pictures today if you want to take a look.
Thanks again for your $.02 that is just what I m looking for.
PS Pardon my ignorance but what is the "Rube Goldberg" calamity?
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,222
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From: East Central Florida
Rube Goldberg was a guy who made complicated mechanical things that sort of did what they were supposed to, but really look "Overly Shade Tree" and are a form of an old joke. You can google it, or wikipedia it.
IMHO, it's like a Blow Tie, an over complicated machine that doesn't quite live up to the expectations of those folks who tend to buy, own & brag about them.
I'll get back to you later, big hurry right now, stay tuned. . . . .
FBp
IMHO, it's like a Blow Tie, an over complicated machine that doesn't quite live up to the expectations of those folks who tend to buy, own & brag about them.
I'll get back to you later, big hurry right now, stay tuned. . . . .
FBp
Last edited by FordBoypete; Jun 19, 2007 at 11:57 AM.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 700
Likes: 0
From: Fairbanks
here is a place that might have the bed you are looking for just not sure how close to you they are County Line auto recyclers Ridgecrest Ca (760) 375-0077. They had a lot of old fords and he does not crush the older stuff In fact he holds onto a lot of it untill he can sell it the way he wants to
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,222
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From: East Central Florida
I agree, keep looking for a bed, 64 thru 66 can be much more easily adapted than a 8' bed can be cut down to size.
FWIW the 63's used 1957 thru 1960 (actually to 63) for a styleside type bed. The 64-66 beds look so much better IMHO though.
FBp
FWIW the 63's used 1957 thru 1960 (actually to 63) for a styleside type bed. The 64-66 beds look so much better IMHO though.
FBp
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