1978 C10 BED SWAP QUESTION

[Swims350]

that's what I meant by overlap, the stepped joint not overlap two layers of metal. That's the way I'd do it so it has more weld, if I butt welded I think I'd plate the inside and outside to make sure. I'm just scared of frames and want it overkilled lol.

[86gmc23]

How does a 86 8ft bed separate? I'm looking to convert it to a shortbed but dont want to have to buy a new bed. I feel comfortable cutting up my bed now and welding it up, but just for knowledge what are the pieces that go into a complete bed? Example: Side panels, Bed Floor...

[Swims350]

you got the front bed panel that bolts into both bedsides I think, the bedside itself, the tailgate and the floor. I think you may have trouble doing this, the long beds are longer in the front(easy) and back(harder due to the tapered curve on bottom). It's a foot and half difference as far as I know, 8 ft compared to 6.5 ft. The bed in front being straight on top and bottom would be simple I'd think, but the back behind the tire slopeing upwards would be tougher.

[fitz]

I'm all for asking questions on this forum and learning new things, but keep in mind that welding a frame in not a joke. This is a job for the experienced welders.
Ask how to paint a truck on line and if you mess it up, you get runs in it.
Ask how to rebuild a motor on line and if you mess it up, it burns oil.
Ask how to weld a truck frame on line and if you mess it up, someone could DIE. 

[Swims350]

yea no doubt that's why I said I'm scared of frames and if I ever cut one or had one crack I'd weld, plate, weld, plate, weld more. Meaning where it was cut or cracked grind a valley in there and weld it up, plate the inside and weld it, plate the outside and weld it.

[txchainsawgogi]

Will a "short wheel base stepside bed from 1981 Chevy" fit my 1978 c10 with an 8 ft long bed?

Other than removing some frame, will it bolt up without having to modify suspension or drivetrain? I can get my hands on one for cheap.

[Blazin]

The frame both in front, and in back of the rear axle will need to be shortened. Drive shaft will need to be cut, and you will need a short bed fuel tank as well.

[txchainsawgogi]

The frame both in front, and in back of the rear axle will need to be shortened. Drive shaft will need to be cut, and you will need a short bed fuel tank as well.

Would that have to be done for every stepside or no? Is there a model step that doesn't require cutting the driveshaft?

[Blazin]

Yes an 8' step side will bolt directly onto your truck. No frame, or drive sahft cutting. Only thing you would need is the step side gas tank filler neck.

[Swims350]

ANY frame cutting is going to require a shorter driveshaft, good tip yank the DS from the short bed truck you get a short bed, bed from. I mean hey you are already there why not or check to see what trans you have and what trans it is or had and/or if they'll interchange like say a long tail th350 and a 700r4 same shaft length only 1/8 or 1/4 difference or so.

ANY short bed, stepside or fleetside is gonna require the frame to be cut down and the driveshaft cut down. Not to mention the short bed gas tank, and exhaust to be cut down. The wiriing harness is going to be longer and maybe the fuel lines? but those can be pushed/bent/pulled out of the way and made to work.

I hate to say it but if you don't think you can or have to tools to do it right, might as well buy a short bed frame and bed, driveshaft and tank and put your cab and front clip on the short bed frame.

[txchainsawgogi]

dang!

[Swims350]

lol long bed to short bed aint bolt on stuff or really easy or probably everyone would do it or have been doing it over and over.

I really liked vile's thread it gave me hope on changed any long bed to a short bed. Around here long beds are dirt cheap and short beds that are completely rusted away are still gold mines they want way too much for them.

[fitz]

Yes an 8' step side will bolt directly onto your truck. No frame, or drive sahft cutting. Only thing you would need is the step side gas tank filler neck.

I hate to say it but if you don't think you can or have to tools to do it right, might as well buy a short bed frame and bed, driveshaft and tank and put your cab and front clip on the short bed frame.

Everyone here is trying to steer you in the right direction.
If you you have your heart set on a stepside, an 8' would be the easiest route, like Blazin said.
They are not as common as the 6' beds, but they are out there, you just have to look. I find them on craigslist from time to time.
You said you found a 6' stepside for cheap. Like Swims said, why not get a shortbed frame and swap your cab/drivetrian into it?
The bottom line is that swapping a cab and drivetrain into a new frame would be a fun project for a shadetree mechanic like myself, cutting/weldind a frame is out of my league.
By the way my 8' stepside was a rust free $150 junk yard score that the P.O. found.. It had dents so the only part used was the side panels. Luckily back then parts were cheap from GM so he bought new fenders, tailgate, headboard, and steps.  
Personally I've never seen a 8' stepside in the junkyard, so keep searching Craigslist.

[Swims350]

You know it looks like you could make an 8 ft. step pretty easy from a 6 footer. it's basically flat up front and that's where the difference appears to be, maybe buy 2 extra steps and cut and weld them together, weld some flat panels on the side, maybe find another bed to chop up even just use the front part and weld it on and make it an 8 ft.

But man I hear ya cutting a frame and welding scares me, but I'd love to. Swapping bodys is not out of reach for me anymore with my cherry picker, just like motor and trans swaps, but I do have a welder now LOl.

[fitz]

You know it looks like you could make an 8 ft. step pretty easy from a 6 footer.

They do share allot of the same parts. The headboard, tailgate, and fenders are the same.
I agree, you could extend the 6' side boards and make an 8'bed out of it fairly easily..
I've mentioned in other post about a 79ish Ford 4x4 stepside near me that has the sideboards made out of aluminum diamond plate and uses the stock fenders, it looks sweet.
You could also make them out of wood like this 82 I had. It wasn't a heavy duty bed as far as hauling capacity, but it was cheap to do. The P.O built it as a low $$ cruise night truck.
There's lots of options out there.