Bobbed Bed on '89 Long bed Ranger???

[89REDRANGER]

Here's the deal...I have an '89 Ranger long bed and I'm tired of the damn bumper and quarter panels dragging on everything. I was recently given a short bed for free. I would like to take the back half of the short bed off, cut my bed off where needed, then weld on the shortbed rear half. I wouldn't use the other bed, but it was free, is now sitting in my yard, and this would eliminate some of the clean-up work after I'm done.

Question is, should I do it this way? Any ideas, comments, or pictures of the procedure would be appreciated.

 

[mkpecor]

just take 14'' out of the long bed.

 

[dangeranger01]

just take 14'' out of the long bed.

+1, Just bob the bed on it. Seems using two beds would be more trouble than its worth.

 

[89REDRANGER]

I don't wanna bob the back of the bed because then there will be the bottom edge of the quarter panel and body line that I will have to try to re-align. It looks like it'd be quite the bitch. I'm still open for any ideas and pictures if any body has any. I wouldn't even mind just bobbing the bed I have if somebody can show me theirs so I can see how they lined it all up.

 

[rickcdewitt]

haha that sounds like me.i got fed up with it and busted out the sawzall.i bobbed 8 inches out of the back of my 91 long bed a few months ago

i took a black marker and measured from the seam in the bed where the end cap meets the ribbed floor first then the out side and cut it out then took a strip from this and used it as a backing for the joint and screws to hold it together before welding.easier than trying to butt weld the sheet metal and it won't crack.it wasen't that hard to get the lower part to line back up i straightened the fold and bent it so they lined up

you can see how close the shakle mount is to the end of the frame i coulden't bob it more than about 8 inches since i diden't want to notch the reinforcing rib under the bed that holds the bedside together.you can't really see the front rib in ther pic just the notch in the frame for the rear one

you should move the leaf spring mounts forward so the shortbed wheel opening lines up and bob the bed on it.that way you shorten the wheelbase to not high center as much and tuck in that rear bumper at the same time

then you would need to get shortbed fuel lines and gas tank though,and mess with other things like e brake,etc

 

[89REDRANGER]

I kinda like the wheelbase the way it is. I just want to shorten up what's behind the rear axle. I really appreciate the pics and info. That truck looks sick bobbed. That's what I'm hoping my truck looks like once I'm done. How much lift, and what size tires you got on that thing?


Edit: I found it in your sig. Sorry!

 

[out cast]

There is your bumper... put a 4" hitch hole in it and call it good. then bob your frame behind the shackles...

 

[Loanranger]

search is your friend.

http://therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14022

If you take 14" out, you will end up with the rearmost holes at the middle holes mounting location on the frame. Take and cut the frame right after the shackle hangers, and make sure you weld in a new crossmember, or your frame will do this /\ everytime you flex. It would be a little more work if you don't have your wheelwells cut, but with them cut, it's a breeze. The worst part is getting the top style line to line up, but with a chisel hammer and dolly, you can improvise. The bottom just gets cut and a new flange bent in.

 

[rickcdewitt]

search is your friend.

http://therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14022

If you take 14" out, you will end up with the rearmost holes at the middle holes mounting location on the frame. Take and cut the frame right after the shackle hangers, and make sure you weld in a new crossmember, or your frame will do this /\ everytime you flex. It would be a little more work if you don't have your wheelwells cut, but with them cut, it's a breeze. The worst part is getting the top style line to line up, but with a chisel hammer and dolly, you can improvise. The bottom just gets cut and a new flange bent in.

you cut out the reinforcing ribs at the back of the bed to clear the frame?

it could use a wider rear bumper but i like it.i would have cut further but i wanted to keep it all bolt on without drilling the shackle rivets.as it is with the long bed you highcenter first anyway

 

[89REDRANGER]

91rokkrawler- I can always count on you to be a smart-ass. Don't forget, I know where you sleep, work, wheel, and eat. JUST JOKIN'!

Loanranger- Thanks for the info and link to your build. I'll definitely use a lot of what you did. I can't quite go as short as you did though. Soon my truck will be getting 63" Half-Ton leaves, shackles, custom bump-stops and the factory blocks removed.
As for using the search function, it's simple...I always forget it's there.

 

[Loanranger]

you cut out the reinforcing ribs at the back of the bed to clear the frame?

it could use a wider rear bumper but i like it.i would have cut further but i wanted to keep it all bolt on without drilling the shackle rivets.as it is with the long bed you highcenter first anyway

This is a picture of the piece I cut out of the bed. You basically cut right in front of the reinforcement for the center bed bolts. Then cut just at the end of the short ribs on the floor. A couple of the ribs are shorter on the floor, so you cut about a 1/4" in front of where the rib drops off. If you overlap the floor, this will bring your rearmost crossmember of the bed to where the middle one was. This way you can just bolt the bed on with the frontmost bolts, and the rearmost bolts, which are now in the middle holes in the frame. The only notching I did was the bottom flange of the tailgate, and used 3/8" thick washers under the back of the bed. This will allow the tailgate to still open, and not rub on the frame.

 

[low_five]

wanna sell that shortbed?

 

[rickcdewitt]

The only notching I did was the bottom flange of the tailgate, and used 3/8" thick washers under the back of the bed. This will allow the tailgate to still open, and not rub on the frame.

i can see how spacers would give you just enough to clear the hangers.

i drilled new holes in the frame for the j nuts and rear cross member

great cheap truck challenge build that you and your dad have going

 

[89REDRANGER]

low_five- I'd love to sell the bed if somebody were willing to drive to Oregon to come get it. It's probably going to the wrecking yard tomorrow though. Landlord is flipping out!

 

[Loanranger]

i can see how spacers would give you just enough to clear the hangers.

i drilled new holes in the frame for the j nuts and rear cross member

great cheap truck challenge build that you and your dad have going

Yeah, I had thought about going about it a few different ways, but decided this would be the easiest, and had thought about saving the old crossmember, but I had the 2x4 steel left over from the trailer I built, and needed somewhat of a bumper to attach a tow point to, so that's what it got. Thanks for the comment too.