Hello
This is my first post and my first hot rod and i have some questions. First of all my car iss a 1955 chevy 3200 and the problem is the bed. I bought it for cheap because some one told me that i was very easy to switch for a long bed to a short bed and i read some post that looked like i could do it. The long bed doesnt really bother me but it is very rough shape so i was looking for a long bed to put on it but all i can find is short beds. So i figure that i should do it anyways. Also im 16 so my funds are limited so if anybody knows how i can do it for cheap and get a wood bed for cheap i would really like to know about that.
Thanks
tyler

Tyler,

Welcome to Hotrodders and good luck with your truck. Glad to know another young person is into hotrodding.

Regarding the long bed, do you mean the bed sides, front, or tailgate are in bad shape or just the floor? If just the floor you could make new bed boards and perhaps buy the cross sills and strips running between the bed boards. Or you could cover it up with steel or aluminum.

If the whole bed is in really bad shape and you can't find an appropriate replacement you could consider building a flat bed for the truck.

Good luck with the project and if you have any questions be sure to check here.

thanks man

the problem is the guy who had it before me did probaly the worst hack job ive ever seen. he pounded in the bed side to make a spare tire carrier ,he smashed the tail gate up good. the whole bed is loose but right now im in the process of making new bed mounts. but i think i can fix it it will just take $$$$

also the guy removed the whole bed floor

Bruce Hornkey(sp?) sells truck parts and is based out the Minn/ St Paul area

Yup,that's the guy (almost) try http://www.horkeyswoodandparts.com/
Welcome,and good luck with the truck.This is the greatest knowledge base on the web.These guys ROCK way too many smart guys to mention.

Do an internet search for 1955 chevy pickups---I used to have a 1953 1/2 ton 3100, and it is amazing how many parts companies are out there. You'd also be surprised how many of these ol' trucks are still around. You might just score a decent bed from a salvage yard locator service (also internet). It'll take some time, but just keep trying different search entries (55 chevy sheetmetal, chevy used parts, etc.). Good luck---I love them bowtie beauties!!!

thanks guys

Welcome bowtiebadboy. I am also in my first build. I have a 54 3100 stepside Chevy. My bed was in bad shape and I found an entire bed minus the fenders at this site www.americanclassic.com. I believe it includes cross beams, sides, tailgate, front, bolts, wood , and bed strips. It is about $1600 for my truck. Well, good luck with it and what are your plans for it?

Welcome Bowtiebadboy!

I too have a 55 Chevy longbed (look at my journal) I have seen where they cut the frame down to make a short bed out of a long bed. But it was rather involved. But for now you could do the best to pound out the bed you have. Mine is in bad shape also so I am taking an auto body class so I can learn how to fix it. Also you could get a sheet metal shop to bend up so 16 gauge to make a custom bed. I actually had a shop bend up the front bed piece for me (near the cab). It doesn't have the rounded shape at the top but who cares? For the bed sides I will either salvage mine or have the shop bend up some new ones for me. As with the front piece they will not have the round at the top or the stake pockets. But it will be cheaper than buying new parts. So that is my two cents worth...

Good luck and enjoy!

first off, in case you didnt read btwn the lines a SHORT BED WILL NOT FIT ON A LONG BED FRAME!!! YOU DIG? good. holy crap man!

you can shorten the frame if you know a good welder, gotta flat surface to work on and use a slanted cut, rather than vertical, with a fish plate (square plate covering the weld area on the inside of the frame.) maybe box it there too. that's #1.

second. if i were you i would FORGET THE ORIGINAL BED AND GO WITH A 95HEVY BED (or same body style bed). they look 100 times better and you can get one for like $800 MAX. if you wanna email me and axe me how i cut 8" out of my frame go righta head. (pm me) because you might STILL have to chorten your frame to use a 95 short bed box.

Hello, All..

I too, have a 3200 with a long bed. However, the truck is on a blazer frame & chasis. I would like to put a short bed on it.. but looking at the two beds, the running boards are not the same size? Hence, the rear-end wouldn't line up?? Am I looking at this wrong? Thanks in advance.