[tumbleweed1]

I just bought a 71 Chev long box. It has a 67 hood and grill on it. still the original front fenders, so they don't line up.
Question #1: My goal is a short bed. Does someone have info on converting this over. I have a good welding shop that works for my business, and I'm sure that they would help me out with the chassis work, as far as welding is concerned. Also, as this project being on a budget, can I use any of the long box parts for my short box, ie. cutting the floor down, front panel... I will have to get new box sides regardless, as the original ones are rough.
Question #2: Will the framework/support system (ie. rad support, fender mounts) be the same on 71 and 67? Can I just buy the 67 front fenders and install? Will the body lines line up on the doors/cowling?

Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Hats off to the guys that are willing to share their knowledge, as well as the moderators for their tireless work on this GREAT SITE.
Thanks in advance

[redsdad]

TRUCKS is shortening an early 60's C10. Body style is different, but the frame is basically the same. And the concept of doing it is basically the same. They should re-run the first installment approx. 4 to 5 Sundays from today.

You have to take the largest amount out of the frame under the cab. They did a "Z" cut. They cut half way down the frame vertically, then a horizontal cut the length required to get the wheelbase correct, then the final vertical cut. They did a double butt weld. Then added a rectangular reinforcing plate. The final amount needed to make the frame short enough is obtained by chopping off the rear frame rails the correct amount. You have to move the rear cab mounts back the same amount as the "Z" cut takes out of the frame. They did a very nice job on the show. I would wait until it is on again, tape it, and show it to your welder.

They also had a very clean bed, so they shortened it. If your sides are just beat up, the rest of it can probably be used with new sides. The front panel and tailgate are the same. So are the wheel tubs. Unless your wood is in perfect condition, you will probably want to replace it. It could be cut down. If you have a steel floor, it could be cut down as well. You will have to figure out where the braces need to go. Make sure you have it all lined up before you weld. If the sides are rusty, you better disassemble the box and check the rest of the components real good. Chances are excellent you will need other pieces. LMC has just about everything you need.

According to LMC, the doors are all the same 67-72. So if the hood lines up with the cowl OK, you should be in good shape there.

If you can't wait to watch the show on TV, I think you can buy the video/dvd from the TRUCKSTV web site. The show number is TK2007-10. I can't find a link to buy it, so you might have to e-mail them.

It sounds like you have a very doable and fun project. Post photos of your progress in a journal. That is what I am doing on my 41.

[tumbleweed1]

Thanks Red.
That gets me started. I am emailing to get the episode on DVD.
I greatly appreciate the help.

[joe k]

Go to 67-72 chevytrucks.com do a search on their site and you will find what you need to know,with pictures.

[tumbleweed1]

I just found this website:

www.earlyclassic.com/tech.aspx?category=Longbed,%20No!-Shortbed

[Chevrolet4x4s]

anyone have a step by step for 73-87s?
Shane

[joe k]

Shane go to 73-87.com, garage section ,has a how to on your year truck.

[Chevrolet4x4s]

Thanks
Shane

[fast68]

72 doors are one year only
72 panels are plastic
72 doors have a phillps head screw on the visible painted part of the upper part of the door just below the vent wing handle location

67-71 dont and instead are steel panel flat and no phillips screw

67 68 fenders and hood and grille and headlight buckets welded to the support are unique to those two years only, or just swap entire support

69-72 changed fenders on chevies(but on gmc kept 67 68 fenders)


69-72 chevy and gmc are flat front hoods,

but gmc had a special spacer piece to allow the 67 68 style fenders to work on the 69-72 hoods

gmc did not change to 69-72 chevy fenders

all 68-72 gmc are 68 chevy fenders which makes them the most abundant and are my favorite of all these six years

all 67 were identical

68-72 markers vs. 67 no markers

cowl panel is same one all years

the only parts that changed were the fenders and hood

bumpers too

since the lights were in the bumper 71 72 but not in 67-70


bototm line is that 67 fenders bolt up to your truck directly as is yes

no problem

you wil have to decide if you want sidemarkers or not right now before you put the bed on/together

67 were no markers

68 were

so what fenders do you want


nows the time to decide


12" needs to come out of the frame rails just behind the cab, and i forgot how many inches off the rail ends


Z-cut is what to do here

dont do it any other way

use a plate inside it too

best way would be to swpa your body on a short chassis

but sometimes you cant find a cheap old shortbed for the frame sitting around abandoned or something






heres a ****** 67 a member on this site owns:

http://hotrodders.com/gallery/showga...0&ppuser=30718

drool!

andi saw one identical to this in bloomington last night rolling down veterans parkway

i about wrecked trying to look at it


i LOVE these trucks, are the best looking and riding GM trucks they ever made BY FAR


if you need any more details lemme know

[tumbleweed1]

Thanks Fast, I appreciate the help