I was wondering where is the best place to remove a section of the frame to make a long bed 53 into a short bed? I want to convert my 53 Merc to a shortbed truck.

 

There have been a few threads on the subject around here. If I recall correctly, it needs to be shortened in between the wheels and some lobbed off the back, in order to center the rear axle.

Just don't hack up the bed. They are sort of rare and hard to find.

Here are a few links to get you started reading on the subject:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/6...short-bed.html

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...onversion.html

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/6...short-bed.html

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ing-frame.html

 

I SHORTENED MY 1956 FORD F-100 FRAME, FROM A LONG BED (118"), TO SHORT BED (110").

THE FOLLOWING LINK IS ABOUT A CHEVY FRAME, BUT IT WORKS PRERFECTLY FOR A FORD AS WELL.

TERRY KIRK
FREEDOM FORD
1956 FORD F-100

www.earlyclassic.com/tech.aspx?category=longbed,%20no!-shortbed

 

Thanks Brian_B, I truely appreciate the information. I have been thinking of getting new bed kit from Mar-K or another supplier and reusing my tailgate. That is going to be down the road aways as I'm just in the planning stages now. I know can't keep it stock, so I will be selling off stuff as it is removed.

 

The long bed tailgates are higher and wider. They are very hard to find from what I am told. If you buy a bed kit...get a new gate as well.

You can confirm this by measuring yours and having one of us with the short bed to measure ours.

I ask a lot of PRE questions around here too. Some might work out in the long run. Some I find out are a bad idea. That is what the forum is for.