long bed conversion
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Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 28
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From: I live in Metter, GA.
long bed conversion
Okay i have located a local machine shop that will cut and weld the frame of my 72 F100. Currently it is a long bed and soon it will be a short bed. I saw the wheel base and information on how long the both of them were somewhere online and i cant find them now. I remember seeing that i would have to cut some off in front of the rar axle and behind the rear axle. And then i will have to match the bed also. But i cant seem to find the webpage where i saw all that.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,793
Likes: 240
From: Piney Woods of East Texas
If your going to replace the bed and not cut it down, go ahead and get it for fitting. When you cut the frame, do not make a straight cut. You want to make a joint that looks like a tab inside the other for strength. Then of course you will need to reinforce the joint. Make sure you tack on cross pieces to keep the frame square, before you cut it loose.
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Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 28
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From: I live in Metter, GA.
I will be cutting the bed also. I will not be attempting to cut and weld the frame myself. I found a local shop that will do it for $600.00. They will also shorten the driveshaft. All I need now is the exact measurements of the frame between the center hub of the front axle and center hub of the rear axle. Then the exact measurement of the frame from the center hub of the rear axle to the back of the pickup.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
That is one huge project just to go short bed. The bed needs to be cut both in front of the wheels and behind them 4 cuts, 2 welds from sun rise to sun set. Now you have two body panel seams to deal with.
There are plenty of old Ford trucks in the south east, find you another short bed in good shape and work with it. I think you will be a lot happier in the long run.
It seems to me that $600.00 is way too cheep to do all of the cutting and welding.
think on it
John
There are plenty of old Ford trucks in the south east, find you another short bed in good shape and work with it. I think you will be a lot happier in the long run.
It seems to me that $600.00 is way too cheep to do all of the cutting and welding.
think on it
John
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,893
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From: Ohio
If you have a solid long bed truck...sell it and buy a short bed. Or buy a chassis and bed. Cutting and all the work involved in making the bed fit is crazy.
I saw "trucks" the other day and they did this to a '60's Chevy truck. I just have to ask "WHY?". It just doesn't make any sense to me why shortbed's are SO the thing.
I saw "trucks" the other day and they did this to a '60's Chevy truck. I just have to ask "WHY?". It just doesn't make any sense to me why shortbed's are SO the thing.
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 28
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From: I live in Metter, GA.
Its not that big of an issue really. But I think i will just leave it long bed. Thanx for the suggestions. And it would be alot of work for just making a short bed. As for starting over with a short bed, I have to much invested into the longbed already, so thats out of the question, thanx though.
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