Author Topic: Long bed or short bed  (Read 2803 times)

Offline 85chevy fan

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Long bed or short bed
« on: May 15, 2019, 10:53:20 AM »
I've hit a hard spot about what i want to do with my 85 C10. should I keep it long wheel base or make it a short wheel base.

Offline zieg85

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    • 73-87 GM squarebody extended cab and conversions up to 91 R/V series
Re: Long bed or short bed
« Reply #1 on: May 15, 2019, 11:21:44 AM »
My personal opinion is irrelevant.  Do what makes you happy.  I like prefer long beds but I use my trucks as trucks.  Seems like short beds are what people are wanting.  Buying a 6 1/2 foot bed in equal condition is going to cost you more.  I've been in this hobby for many years.
Carl 
1985 C20 Scottsdale 7.4L 4 speed 3.21
1986 C10 under construction
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Offline Rapid Roy

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Re: Long bed or short bed
« Reply #2 on: May 15, 2019, 11:27:06 AM »
Welcome
1974 Cheyenne 10 LWB STOCK 350 W HEI /TH350/AC/4 BBL Quadrajet
Mopar by Birth
Chevy by Choice

Offline ehjorten

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Re: Long bed or short bed
« Reply #3 on: May 15, 2019, 01:54:47 PM »
Unless it is a sport truck I prefer a long bed as I too use my trucks as trucks!  If I was buying a new truck I would spec a crew cab with long bed!  I hate that all trucks have these stubby little, useless beds now days.  You can actually get a new truck with a long bed, but now they are the rarity!
-Erik-
1991 V3500 - Gen V TBI 454, 4L80E, NP205, 14 bolt FF, D60, 8" Lift on 35s
1977 K20 Silverado - 350, THM350, NP203, 14 bolt FF, D44, Stock Lift on 31s
1969 Chevelle Malibu Sport Coupe - EFI350, THM350
1968 Chevrolet Step-side Pickup - 300HP L6

Offline VileZambonie

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Re: Long bed or short bed
« Reply #4 on: May 15, 2019, 03:43:27 PM »
For 2wd trucks I prefer short bed, for 4x4 trucks I prefer long bed but I agree, you do what you like. Who cares what anyone else thinks?
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Offline JohnnyPopper

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Re: Long bed or short bed
« Reply #5 on: May 15, 2019, 04:23:33 PM »
I'm with Vile, short C10 but...

Stepside looks the best!

I bet no one talks crap about Eirk's '68 bad shorty! Like calling it stubby...
1957 Apache 3100 235 Inline 6, 3 on the tree
1973 C-20, 3+3 454 4BBL TH400  Water Injection
1978 K-10, 350 4BBL TH350 NP203 M.M. Part time Kit/Hubs
1980 C-10 under construction

Offline ehjorten

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Re: Long bed or short bed
« Reply #6 on: May 17, 2019, 08:50:51 AM »
I'm with Vile, short C10 but...

Stepside looks the best!

I bet no one talks crap about Eirk's '68 bad shorty! Like calling it stubby...

Not sure if you were talking about me, but yes...I like my '68 Step-side!  It is what I would classify as a sport truck.  It is lowered 4" in front and 6" in the rear.
-Erik-
1991 V3500 - Gen V TBI 454, 4L80E, NP205, 14 bolt FF, D60, 8" Lift on 35s
1977 K20 Silverado - 350, THM350, NP203, 14 bolt FF, D44, Stock Lift on 31s
1969 Chevelle Malibu Sport Coupe - EFI350, THM350
1968 Chevrolet Step-side Pickup - 300HP L6

Offline JohnnyPopper

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Re: Long bed or short bed
« Reply #7 on: May 17, 2019, 09:51:48 PM »
Yessir, I was talking about your '68.

Could you post a pic please?

Doing up a 80 C-10 and am at a phase where I choose to lower or not. Phil-bedoe wants to raise his front end, so that has captured my imagination too.

1957 Apache 3100 235 Inline 6, 3 on the tree
1973 C-20, 3+3 454 4BBL TH400  Water Injection
1978 K-10, 350 4BBL TH350 NP203 M.M. Part time Kit/Hubs
1980 C-10 under construction

Offline Stewart G Griffin

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Re: Long bed or short bed
« Reply #8 on: May 27, 2019, 08:28:21 AM »
You should do what you like.   My personal thought is that if you're going to get a truck, you might as well get a 8 ft bed.   But that is irrelevant here.


What i would NOT do is cut down your truck.   i would look for another shortbed.

Also, if you prefer doing this to your pre-existing truck, i WOULD  NOT shorten the frame by cutting and rewelding in the middle even though this is proven, safe, and does work.   i would instead move the rear axle forward then cut off the excess length in the back.

Also, consider a 2WD blazer.   You could weld something behind the front seat to create sort of a "cab."   Or there may be aftermarket things available to create sort of a cab/bed deal.