longbed to shortbed

[brizonco]

im swaping my longbed for a shortbed does anyone know the measurements of how much frame i need to cut off before and after the axle on an 87 long bed to fit on a shortbed?

 

[Insanejughead]

Do you realize that you'll still have a longer wheelbase to deal with that will put your wheels into the back part of the wheel well?

I like what you're thinking, but you'll have about six inches of space between the back of your cab and front of your bed.

Just mentioning...

 

[flyingbrick]

im swaping my longbed for a shortbed does anyone know the measurements of how much frame i need to cut off before and after the axle on an 87 long bed to fit on a shortbed?

I would really encourage you to think long before cutting the frame between the axles, and unless you are or have a certified welder do the work, I'd not want to drive down the street anywhere near you. What about just bobbing the bed?

 

[koda6966]

Just cut some of the back portion of the bed off and weld the two pieces back together. I think there was a 13 year old kid on here that did that to a ranger and put it on a BII frame. Think looked sicknasty. And thats a good thing.

If anyone can find the thread for that.. post it up, it would help this guy out.

 

[Boggin]

Do you realize that you'll still have a longer wheelbase to deal with that will put your wheels into the back part of the wheel well?

x2

 

[Loanranger]

I would assume that he's covered that by mentioning "how much frame will I have to cut off behind and IN FRONT of the axle"

Not sure of the measurements, but if you're going to tackle this yourself, you should already have the shortbed handy to take your measurements from. As far as shortening the frame between the axles, I agree that you should either be certified, or have a certified welder do the work. You should also have fishplates made for the joint, on the side of the rails, as well as the top and bottom of the channel, and it should be as strong if not straonger than original. The important thing when doing something like this is to do it on completely flat level ground, and take plenty of measurements. These would include not only height and length measurements, but cross (x) measurements to ensure it is completely straight.