1983-88 Short bed to long bed conversion

[cshannon]

What would it take to switch a short bed onto a long bed in a gen 1 ranger?

 

[Noflers]

You want to put a long bed on a truck that originally had a short bed? or the other way around?

 

[cshannon]

other way around. Like, I'm buying a 1987 long bed and I want to swap in a different 1st gen short bed. Looking at it it might be a straight swap, but I don't know if the wheel well is in a different place, as well as different mounts

 

[turbo91xlt]

wheel base is different iirc; reg cab short bed = 108" while reg cab long bed = 114"

Inorder to make it look correct you'd have to cut 6"s out of the frame on the either side of the axle then shorten everything else up like driveshaft, fuel & brake lines, & wiring the necessary amount.

 

[holyford86]

Gas tank and sending unit needs to be changed as well, they're different

 

[JoshT]

Definitely not a straight swap to have it look right. Cutting and welding will be required. You'd be better off buying a short bed if that's what you want. Or if that's not an option, maybe swap the cab over to a short bed frame.

 

[Noflers]

I'd put an extended cab on with a shortened bed. Yes, this is a fantasy of mine.