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Re: Long bed to short bed, has anyone done it? [Re: GOT6PAK] #2378172
09/28/17 10:42 AM
09/28/17 10:42 AM
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,149
Cruising!
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QuickDodge Offline
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It may be easier to build a step side bed than to cut down a long bed. Much of the metal on the step sides is flat. Reproduction fenders are available. The major advantage of this is the bed will be built from new, rust free metal.

I believe Poorboy built a bed for his former truck. He could probably offer some advice. If I lived closer to him, I'd ask him to build one for me.

Last edited by QuickDodge; 09/28/17 10:45 AM.
Re: Long bed to short bed, has anyone done it? [Re: QuickDodge] #2378375
09/28/17 04:52 PM
09/28/17 04:52 PM
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Southern California
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GOT6PAK Offline OP
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Southern California
I finally found a 75' D100 shorted fleet side. It has a little rust over the wheel wells but they make patches for that and the rest is rust free. It's an Adventurer SE with 360 and 727, air conditioning, sway bar, tow package and some other cool options. Comes with build sheet so I can't wait to go over that. Hoping to have it next week sometime, waiting on shipper.

Re: Long bed to short bed, has anyone done it? [Re: GOT6PAK] #2378415
09/28/17 06:24 PM
09/28/17 06:24 PM
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Canada
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nice, when you get it you should take some measurements of the box, I will compare to some long box measurements and we will know for sure what would need to be done for shortening in the future.

Re: Long bed to short bed, has anyone done it? [Re: CTD5.9] #2378427
09/28/17 06:54 PM
09/28/17 06:54 PM
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Posts: 891
Southern California
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GOT6PAK Offline OP
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rednuck - great idea! Will do.

Re: Long bed to short bed, has anyone done it? [Re: GOT6PAK] #2378604
09/29/17 12:59 AM
09/29/17 12:59 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,483
Freeport IL USA
poorboy Offline
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Freeport IL USA
My truck was a little older, but the step side beds look about the same. My truck has the correct 48-52 fenders, the 53 on up used the larger fenders.
A step side bed is really easy to build from scratch, and you can put the fenders anyplace you want/need to.

I used 18 gauge flat steel, added a 45 degree bend at the top (modern trucks have a 90 degree angle), and then added a 1" conduit tube at the end of the 45 angle. The "stake pockets" are 1 1/2" square tubing added 1/2" in from each end. The early step side stake pockets were pretty stylish, but after about 1060, the stake pockets were square channels with flanges spot welded on. Its your option if you want to cut the pocket opening in the angle piece. Inside the bed sides I welded a 1/8" x 1 1/4 angle front to back at the floor height. The bed sides bolt (or can be welded) to the bed floor through this angle. If you really feel ambitious, you can bead roll a design into the bed sides and even the bed front. I made my bed sides a little short so I could add a piece on the bottom like the original trucks had. I also built the running boards for the bed and the cab.

The bed front is also flat 18 gauge. I added a 1" wide 90 degree angle on both sides where they will bolt to the bed sides.

I also made a tailgate with square tube and expanded metal. Gene

48 plymouth 005.JPG48 plymouth 006.JPG
Re: Long bed to short bed, has anyone done it? [Re: GOT6PAK] #2378951
09/29/17 05:12 PM
09/29/17 05:12 PM
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 891
Southern California
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GOT6PAK Offline OP
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Ya, stepside is much easier. I was referring to fleet side because of the body lines and double wall construction.

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