i recently acquired a 64 f100 long bed and want to know what the best way would be for me to convert it over to a short bed. i know i can order bed pieces, but can i simply cut the existing frame down to make it work? Thanks for any help.

 

cutting and modifying any frame is diffifult. good welding skills are required. If you chop it, you will have to re-weld it. Additionally, you'll probably have to rehang the shackles and hardware for the rear suspension. Which requires knowledge of suspension geometry and again, good welding skills. Fabbing up shackles and a frame is not the time to learn to weld. I don't imagine that the rear axle requires a panhard or a track bar, the leaf springs act as centering elements for the axle, so that much is easy for you at least.

Additionally, you will more than likely need to re-plumb all your hydraulic lines, shorten or find a shorter driveshaft (and driveshafts aren't generally cheap) get new leaf springs that are shorter and with a higher spring rate.

It can be done. You can do it. But it will require some time, probably more than just a little bit of your money and some skills that you may or may not have right now. But learning to weld is never a bad thing!

 

Welcome to the board BriJohn. I would suggest waiting on chopping the frame until you get to know the truck the way it is. If you still don't like the extra cargo room you can always trade with someone stuck with a short bed. I personally don't like modern long beds. The 61-66 trucks look good with it due to the body style moldings.

 

You will need to add support so the frame doesn't twist before cutting the frame. There is a special way to cut the frame so it is strong. A straight cut is not the way to go, very weak joint design. You will also need to add a saddle plate to stiffen the frame to. Trucks & Muscle Cars had and show showing what was needed to shorten a frame. They even cut the bed and shorten it too. It takes a lot of planing when it comes to shortening a frame, because you still have to keep every thing square.

 

Yeah, like Mark said, Welcome to FTE, BriJohn

Since both LWB & SWB chassis are available, then why in the world would you consider whacking up a frame just to suit a cosmetic whim? If you're going to go through all that, at least come out of it with some substantial upgrades & improvements anyway.

And more important to me, if you have Frame Fever, consider using 73-79 frame with PDB's, Saginaw style P/S, front & rear anti sway bars & IFS Twin I beams which improve with progressive type suspension components. Also 73-9 frames are capable of running all the later powertrains & running gear combos on a bolt in basis, something you can not do with 61-64 frames.

All you need to do is modify the later frame's cab mounting brackets, which are available aftermarket, so your 61-64 cab will bolt on the newer & better chassis. your front & rear track width will then be equal, not +3" wider in the front. You can go with the 2 pc or split steering column with the rag joint insulator and get rid of all the road chatter with a tad more tweaking.

You plan to mess with the bed anyway right, you might be able to find a Short Bed in trade for a good LWB Bed like Mark suggests?

I agree with the comments about welding & fabrication, although I disagree about the suspension, but regardless of how you resplice a cut frame it will always be a cut frame that's spliced back together, and if you aren't at least a certified welder, you may be asking for problems. . . .

Well that's my $.02 on whacking up your chassis, I won't whack my chassis & I was certified. I own my own welders & have my own shop etc.

So, As Said, Welcome to FTE, & really think your concept thru will ya?

FBp

 

Hi, and welcome. As stated before, get used to your truck first before whacking it. I myself am very partial to the 64 long bed That's what I drive. While I do like the looks of a short bed, nothing is sleeker than a lowered long bed.

After watchin that episode on "Trucks/Muscle cars" re: the shortening of a frame. There is definately a lot of measuring and proper location for cutting and how to cut. A butt joint won't work. You need to know how to stagger the cuts bevel both sides for penetration, Boxing etc.etc. better yet, get a newer frame Most likely a lot cheaper and safer. Either which way, enjoy your build.

 

i could go into fabing it all day but i think for this application you would want a stock chassis, i have a 62 unibody chassis short bed, dont know if its the same as the non unibody chassis but im sure someone on here would know. dont know where your located but you can have it for free.

 

no1lowr, He's an Okie from Muskogee, long ways from Cali, that is a great price if it worked though.

I watched a Trucks episode recently where they did that to a 65 or 66 Cheby and they made it look easy. I don't think that I would try it, I'd end up with a big pile of crap.

I like the idea of getting a later model SB with the PB and other niceties already included and then either shorten the bed or better find a shortbed that you can put on it. This sounds much easier and safer than the frame shortening venture, especially if you don't have that kind of experience. I used to work in a body shop and did some welding (oxy, arc, and wirefeed) and I wouldn't tackle that kind of project.