longbed vs.short bed
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longbed vs.short bed
Does anybody have the overall length dimensioins of a 66 short box bed? I am converting a long wheel base truck to a short bed. I have a few leads on obtaining a donnar bed but as yet do not have one. I will not do my frame modifications untill I do however, I was hoping to find the spec's now so I can start some preliminary planning.
Hope someone can help me get a head start.
Thanks!!!
Hope someone can help me get a head start.
Thanks!!!
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Joined: Oct 2009
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I beleive the beds was shorter in the front section of the bed. So a long wheel base frame with a short bed on it will have a gap between the cab and the bed. Or are you going to cut the middle out of your frame to shorten it???
Would it be better to find a short frame and just swap the cab???
Would it be better to find a short frame and just swap the cab???
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
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From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
nesster66, The difference is 2 ft. One is an 8ft bed the other 6ft.
Man, there are way too many 65-72 short bed chassis available for cheep to go through that much work. I would even go with a 73-79 and get the power steering & disc brakes at the same time.
No need to re-invent the wheel. Save all that work.
John
Man, there are way too many 65-72 short bed chassis available for cheep to go through that much work. I would even go with a 73-79 and get the power steering & disc brakes at the same time.
No need to re-invent the wheel. Save all that work.
John
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nesster66, The difference is 2 ft. One is an 8ft bed the other 6ft.
Man, there are way too many 65-72 short bed chassis available for cheep to go through that much work. I would even go with a 73-79 and get the power steering & disc brakes at the same time.
No need to re-invent the wheel. Save all that work.
John
Man, there are way too many 65-72 short bed chassis available for cheep to go through that much work. I would even go with a 73-79 and get the power steering & disc brakes at the same time.
No need to re-invent the wheel. Save all that work.
John
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
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From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
Jake The front half of the chassis are the same pattern from 65-79. You can bolt a 65 cab & clip to a 79 chassis.
65-72 long & short all measure the same.
In 73 Ford added 4" to the back of the cab & widened the chassis rails and rear axle to track the front. The 4" of extra chassis is on what I refer to as the dumb end of the truck under the bed, that is very different from the front.
My recommendation is to pull the cab & front clip connected and set it on the new chassis. That way one doesn't have to re-alien the fenders (saves a ton of work). 6 bolts below, steering column, and a few other small bits and it comes out together.
John
65-72 long & short all measure the same.
In 73 Ford added 4" to the back of the cab & widened the chassis rails and rear axle to track the front. The 4" of extra chassis is on what I refer to as the dumb end of the truck under the bed, that is very different from the front.
My recommendation is to pull the cab & front clip connected and set it on the new chassis. That way one doesn't have to re-alien the fenders (saves a ton of work). 6 bolts below, steering column, and a few other small bits and it comes out together.
John
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Simi Valley, CA
These trucks have the rear frame rails 33 1/2" apart, as do 1961/72's.
All other 1973/79 F100/350's have the rear frame rails 37 1/2" apart.
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Jake The front half of the chassis are the same pattern from 65-79. You can bolt a 65 cab & clip to a 79 chassis.
65-72 long & short all measure the same.
In 73 Ford added 4" to the back of the cab & widened the chassis rails and rear axle to track the front. The 4" of extra chassis is on what I refer to as the dumb end of the truck under the bed, that is very different from the front.
My recommendation is to pull the cab & front clip connected and set it on the new chassis. That way one doesn't have to re-alien the fenders (saves a ton of work). 6 bolts below, steering column, and a few other small bits and it comes out together.
John
65-72 long & short all measure the same.
In 73 Ford added 4" to the back of the cab & widened the chassis rails and rear axle to track the front. The 4" of extra chassis is on what I refer to as the dumb end of the truck under the bed, that is very different from the front.
My recommendation is to pull the cab & front clip connected and set it on the new chassis. That way one doesn't have to re-alien the fenders (saves a ton of work). 6 bolts below, steering column, and a few other small bits and it comes out together.
John
edit: and i thought you once told me that i could not put a short bed on my 66? if all the chassis are the same from 65-72 what stops me from that?
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Elder User
Joined: May 2005
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From: Montana
I agree with stockcar nut. i have both, 65 shortbed and a 66 long bed.there is absolutely no comparison in ride. the shortbed looks better as far as looks go but when it's a bit icy outside the shortbed will swap ends 10 times sooner than the longbed. i still love both trucks, i jsut dont drive the shortbed in inclimate weather anymore. Dutch
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From: Montpelier, VA
I agree with John on this one. Why go through all that work of shortening a frame if you don't have to.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
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From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
so wait, the front cab and everything would work but the rear wont since it is longer and wider? am i going to have to modify anything on the rear?
edit: and i thought you once told me that i could not put a short bed on my 66? if all the chassis are the same from 65-72 what stops me from that?
edit: and i thought you once told me that i could not put a short bed on my 66? if all the chassis are the same from 65-72 what stops me from that?
If I told you not to put a short bed on your 66 there was a reason, not a blanket statement.
John
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0pone more thing john, would i have a problem in the rear with the rims and tires since the axle is a bit longer? or is the axel the same but the mounting points different? I don't mean to sound dumb, just trying to make sure everything would workout good.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
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From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
The 73-86 Ford 9" can be converted and used under an older chassis. Over size tires will factor in quickly, but can be delt with, by using different backset wheels, which will add to the fun itself.
Gulik
John
Gulik
John
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From: Montana
Jakes66- I put the rear end from a 76 under my 66, you'll have to cut the perches off from the donor and reweld them to fit the suspension and shock setup on your 66. there is 1/2 of an inch clearance from the edge of the tire to the fenderwell. so any wheels will have to inset and not deep dished. keep in mind that this is a F-100 and not a 250. Dutch
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