Just did mine last weekend and it took about 8 hours. The biggest Hangup was the rivets. Awesome kit and made very easy. Cut the lines straight and your good.
Great video, love the detail but yet it wasn't made for a first grader, some people talk forever; the video started and you just got to it!!! Thank you!!
Man I miss my old 56 Chevy when I watch these build video's... Bought some parts from Brothers for it and they were amazing... Just wish I was in the USA where parts are so freely available... Would love to have an old truck again...
I've done a couple of conversions in the past and I must admit that template looks pretty slick. That will definitely save so much time measuring, re measuring and measuring some more, just to be safe. Just an added note, this is not an extremely difficult procedure. It takes time when you start playing with brake lines etc. Just remember on later model trucks 73 to 87 you are also re locating the gas tank. Other than that it is very similar. Stock trucks are boring, hack it up !
Mine is a 1 on the scale , i just simply got myself a Short bed Frame of the same year 1967 , No cutting , No Welding , No Fabrication , and for some strange reason , Everything fit perfectly !
Excellent demonstration of how to "PROFESSIONALLY" shorten a chassis.I don't know how many videos that I have seen where some boneheaded "expert" pulls out an oxy torch and goes to town on a chassis without any thought of preheating or proper procedure when welding the chassis halves back together.
@@BROTHERSTruckPartsTV it is a pleasure for an old Mechanic to see a job done decently.The only other video that I have seen where I saw good practice when modifying a chassis was on an old COE where they used heated oil to give correct temperature. Coming from a Heavy Earthmoving background I understand the importance of "good practice" when working on heavy load, high duty cycle components.
Unlike today’s, those trucks were made super heavy duty, i.e. made to last. The triangular rear suspension, with coil springs , not leaf springs, made the big difference. Strength and comfort.
Will a stock short bed drive shaft from a store work after shortening the truck? Or does the long box drive shaft have to be customed cut to the new truck length?
Very good question... It should work, because when you shorten the frame is matches the same dimensions as a factory shortbed, but we've never actually tried to buy a replacement driveshaft. We typically just have ours shortened.
@@BROTHERSTruckPartsTV How much different is the camper special from the long bed? It can be that hard to make this happen for a camper special as well.
Our kit includes the brake lines and parking brake cables as well as the template and backing plates. You would have your driveshaft shortened locally. You can check availability and current pricing here: goo.gl/xEsPsC
Any style of shortbed will work, Step or Fleet. We actually have a video where we converted a Stepside to a Fleetside and it was more or less just removing one and replacing it with the other. Here's a link to that vid: ruclips.net/video/dxlzZaVCAYA/видео.html
All the videos I've seen of the conversion show people cutting their longbeds. Can a factory shortbed from another truck work? And if so, will a stepside bed bolt up? I assume so, but wanted to be sure. Great video by the way.
I love my factory shortbox stepside so much more after seeing this. Do you mention in the kit that the factory shortboxes have a two piece drive shaft with a steady bearing ? someone looking for a factory appearance might like to know that.
Apologies, rewatched and yes Steve does say "the front part of the driveshaft" which then must mean that the fleetsides of that era all have a two piece driveshaft as well ? Did not know that, so if we ever damage a short driveshaft there should be some available to hack down from the longboxes of the era... good to know.
I just finished reading the questions and comments after watching the video. The questions that I had were well covered in the comments section as well. I have a '68 C10 longbed with rear leaf suspension, option code 04G70RE. Everything in the video related to the frame was well covered. Driveshaft and brake lines are easy enough. Parking brake cables weren't covered, but I assume that they can be easily replaced with the short wheel base parts. As for the in cab fuel tank conversion to frame mount type, I can only assume that's easy enough to do as well. Now for my question; I would like to use my original long bed box and shorten it too. Is there an affordable way to do that while retaining most of the panels and such? Mine is in really good shape despite the one dent on the passenger side. My biggest concerns on shortening a long bed box is the gradual sloping body lines on the front and rear of the box. How can I do this without spending a ton of dough on this?
There are a few videos on RUclips of guys shortening the bedsides. The detail where too cut, measurements, etc. We've never done it here because we've always used reproduction bedsides and floor to get the job done. There's also a place in AZ called MetalOx Fab that does this for a reasonable price
@BROTHERSTruckPartsTV I meant to provide an update to this. A year ago you guys had posted a video titled 67-72 Chevy and GMC Truck / How To Shorten Bed Sides with your host Dave. I want to thank everyone at Brother's Trucks for your videos on converting and upgrading our beloved trucks. We are going to miss you all.
I have a '69 C10 Long Bed that I will converting to Short Bed (using your kit) and need to know what adjustments I need to make regarding my wood bed parts. I have the new wood bed kit, but do I simply delete the cross member closest to the cab to shorten the bed length?
Joe, it's probably best for you to call our customer service guys and have a bit more detailed discussion about this. However, assuming you already have short bedsides, it's basically eliminating the front cross-sill and building the bed back as if it was a shortbed to begin with. If you move forward with the project and get stuck, just call the shop and we'll get you moving again.
Curt, we did a '66 with factory overload springs a year or so ago but honestly can't remember if we had to remove them or they got to stay in place. As we recall, they could have stayed in place with a modification to the bumper brackets so they would clear the spring mounts. Although, we're reasonably convinced that we removed ours just to make the job easier. We know that there is enough room to cut the rear of the frame and keep the helpers, it's just the bumper mounts that interfere.
Should this be used on a light used truck ? Or could this be used on a lifted truck that frequently goes off road. (No heavy offroading, just driving on dirt roads with washouts and ruts getting to certain locations).
After the frame is shortened it will be as strong if not stronger than it was originally. The "C" channel support has been used in big trucks for decades (Kenworth, Peterbuilt, etc).
Yeah, not a problem as long as you didn't mess with the actual suspension components in the rear, like the control arms or their mounting position. If you just did springs/shocks you're OK.
Trying to do this. But was not able to tuck my saw saw in between cab and frame like video. Not sure if blade was to big or saw saw to big. Any one any thoughts?
Great Video and Instructions..I just got a 70 C10 long bed and want to go short during my restoration.. Do you add a dvd of this video in the kit?.. I am going to get a new bed kit anyways due to rust around the wheel wells.. NO BONDO ALLOWED!!! I have a separate question also.. Do you make a splice bracket for frames that have bad or broken places ?
No DVD come with the kit, but the written instructions are excellent and make a great companion when used with this video. We do not have splice braces (fish plates) for strengthening broken frames, but you can make your own out of raw sheetmetal.
Just flipping through and watched some guy Dick shorten a Frame . Totally Wrong ! Getting older but near 40 years ago was building Truck's 5 day's a week . YOU Guys are On The BALL ! TRULY things have to be Supported properly , cut Nicely and OH those Pilot Holes👈👍 WELD it Correctly back it up and Bolt ur Down 😉 Having A Submarine Captain Nuclear Welder for a Boss helped Me . 🇺🇸
Is that c chanel can be used on a 82 c10 just for re enforcement of the frame not for measuring just to re enforce the frame the c chanel to re enforce the frame????
No, the frame on an '82 is a different thickness. We are very close to releasing our 1973-1987 version of this kit so keep an eye on our RUclips channel and website.
Once you remove the old front mounts the secondary mounts will become the front mounts and they happen to also be in the exact perfect position already!
Just did mine last weekend and it took about 8 hours. The biggest Hangup was the rivets. Awesome kit and made very easy. Cut the lines straight and your good.
Unique design, I have heard a friend say if there was a safe & sure way of shorting a long bed to a short bed I would do it. Well here it is!
100%
Great video, love the detail but yet it wasn't made for a first grader, some people talk forever; the video started and you just got to it!!! Thank you!!
Nice professional and informative video. I watched just because it sounded interesting. Maybe one day I'll convert my '67 to a short bed.
This video is absolutely incredible!! Thank you for taking the time to show whats all involved!!
great video. just finished my lwb a few months back, but now after seeing how easy this will be, I'm going short very soon.
Love this video , now ready to shorten my truck. Thank you ... Job well done
Glad it helped
Guy is really good at describing exactly what and how to do things. Great work teaching man!
Thank you for watching!
Man I miss my old 56 Chevy when I watch these build video's... Bought some parts from Brothers for it and they were amazing...
Just wish I was in the USA where parts are so freely available... Would love to have an old truck again...
There was a ton of thought put into that template design. Well done. Cheers
Thank you sir!
The template really makes a huge difference!! Now somebody needs to design one for Ford trucks too!!
I've done a couple of conversions in the past and I must admit that template looks pretty slick. That will definitely save so much time measuring, re measuring and measuring some more, just to be safe. Just an added note, this is not an extremely difficult procedure. It takes time when you start playing with brake lines etc. Just remember on later model trucks 73 to 87 you are also re locating the gas tank. Other than that it is very similar. Stock trucks are boring, hack it up !
Yeah the template definitely is a fool proof hack... if you don’t know lay out or your way around a tape then the kit is the way to go...
How much can you load in the back of the truck? Does it weaken it in anyway... definitely easier than a plasma torch and Welding
Mine is a 1 on the scale , i just simply got myself a Short bed Frame of the same year 1967 , No cutting , No Welding , No Fabrication , and for some strange reason , Everything fit perfectly !
Excellent demonstration of how to "PROFESSIONALLY" shorten a chassis.I don't know how many videos that I have seen where some boneheaded "expert" pulls out an oxy torch and goes to town on a chassis without any thought of preheating or proper procedure when welding the chassis halves back together.
Thanks for watching James!
@@BROTHERSTruckPartsTV it is a pleasure for an old Mechanic to see a job done decently.The only other video that I have seen where I saw good practice when modifying a chassis was on an old COE where they used heated oil to give correct temperature. Coming from a Heavy Earthmoving background I understand the importance of "good practice" when working on heavy load, high duty cycle components.
Outstanding video, if you can’t do it with these instructions then you’ll never be able to do it
Thank you Robert!
Very cool, very clean too. I'm definitely buying 1 of these kits.
You guys are Bad Ass this is definitley something that helps out us low budget guys
Thanks man!
That does look like a quick and easy project but it does take time and patience . Great job.
Thank you!
Awesome directions and video .You guys rock.Thanks so much.
Thanks for watching!
Unlike today’s, those trucks were made super heavy duty, i.e. made to last. The triangular rear suspension, with coil springs , not leaf springs, made the big difference. Strength and comfort.
73 + squarebody guys want this too!
my boy did this in sandals 😭
In Southern California, those are work boots!
Steel toed flip flops. Trick of the trade.
@@BROTHERSTruckPartsTV hell yea! I used to weld patch panels while wearing flip flops , in socal they're essential.😂
@@260657df everyday footwear!
He'll be the toeless wonder one of these days.
When you carefully, precisely, and ,accurately, plan any job, then everything will fit easily and smoothly.
Well done! Great descriptions for a pretty cool template.
Another trick is cut a screw driver slot in rivets without cutting brackets or mounts, then air hammer will knock rivets off in short order.
awesome vid. i already have a shortbed but it was cool to see a professional presentation
Thanks for watching!
Excellent work and description 100%
Thank you very much!
awesome work
Thank you, and thanks for watching!
Great video, slick!
Thanks for watching!
I need that long bed and I think I just bought those doors at a local swap meet
Easy to do even on c20. Just have patience aligning bolt holes . They will fit snug . Almost looks like never cut.
You answered my next question. Thank you.
Why would you do that congratulations you just ruined it.
Nice job! Thanks for sharing.
Our pleasure!
my c 10 highlander "c" code is going under the knife next week with this kit!
Awesome video thanks!
Brilliant.
Wow this sounds like easy AF
It 100% is.
Nice video, but i am keeping my longbed. I lowered it a litle and i love those long sleek lines...
Thanks for sharing guys. Buy the way,could you share info about that kit? Such as brand name and where it is accesible? Thanks again.
Excellent
Thanks!
Very nice video!
Thank you!
Wish there was more info like on long bed to blazer conversion. Can’t seem to find much
Awesome n sweet to watch
Badass video
These videos are so cool
This video never gets old. It's been almost a year. Have y'all came up squarebody kit yet???
Squarebody kit is still a work in progress
Y'all have one for the squarebodys yet. Been waiting. Lol
Very, very close.
Y'all should develop a GMT400 long to short bed kit.
Good to know I'm not the only one that does fab work in flip flops :D
Awesome 👍
Thanks for watching!
Will a stock short bed drive shaft from a store work after shortening the truck? Or does the long box drive shaft have to be customed cut to the new truck length?
Very good question... It should work, because when you shorten the frame is matches the same dimensions as a factory shortbed, but we've never actually tried to buy a replacement driveshaft. We typically just have ours shortened.
@@BROTHERSTruckPartsTV that's what I was hoping for! Guess I'll be the test dummy once we get to that point haha thanks for reply!
Where can i buy the tamplets
www.brotherstrucks.com - here's a direct link: goo.gl/xEsPsC
I hope you guys make a 133" wheelbase to short bed.
No, sorry, just a 127" to short.
@@BROTHERSTruckPartsTV How much different is the camper special from the long bed? It can be that hard to make this happen for a camper special as well.
Nice job.how much is usually a job like that?
Wondering how much does it cost a person does it include the driveline and cables or is it just the template
Our kit includes the brake lines and parking brake cables as well as the template and backing plates. You would have your driveshaft shortened locally. You can check availability and current pricing here: goo.gl/xEsPsC
Serious question, when converting a long bed to a short bed, can you use a step side bed? Or will more modifying be needed? Thank you for your help?
Any style of shortbed will work, Step or Fleet. We actually have a video where we converted a Stepside to a Fleetside and it was more or less just removing one and replacing it with the other. Here's a link to that vid: ruclips.net/video/dxlzZaVCAYA/видео.html
There should be a double thumbs up button.
All the videos I've seen of the conversion show people cutting their longbeds. Can a factory shortbed from another truck work? And if so, will a stepside bed bolt up? I assume so, but wanted to be sure. Great video by the way.
Yes, 100% you can use a factory short bed, including a step-side. Both will bolt right on.
Does a regular short bed driveshaft fit if I shorten my long bed c10 to short bed ?
So I’m doing mine now.. frame is welded up. Big problem though. Rear cab mounts aren’t lining up at all.. any suggestions?
Call the shop and ask for Jamie, he'll help figure it out. 800-977-2767
I love my factory shortbox stepside so much more after seeing this. Do you mention in the kit that the factory shortboxes have a two piece drive shaft with a steady bearing ? someone looking for a factory appearance might like to know that.
This kit maintains the carrier bearing like the factory.
Apologies, rewatched and yes Steve does say "the front part of the driveshaft" which then must mean that the fleetsides of that era all have a two piece driveshaft as well ? Did not know that, so if we ever damage a short driveshaft there should be some available to hack down from the longboxes of the era... good to know.
i would weld it back much stronger and would give me piece of mind.
We 100% recommend welding it back together. We do not consider this a bolt-in and leave it alone kit.
I just finished reading the questions and comments after watching the video. The questions that I had were well covered in the comments section as well.
I have a '68 C10 longbed with rear leaf suspension, option code 04G70RE. Everything in the video related to the frame was well covered. Driveshaft and brake lines are easy enough. Parking brake cables weren't covered, but I assume that they can be easily replaced with the short wheel base parts. As for the in cab fuel tank conversion to frame mount type, I can only assume that's easy enough to do as well.
Now for my question;
I would like to use my original long bed box and shorten it too. Is there an affordable way to do that while retaining most of the panels and such? Mine is in really good shape despite the one dent on the passenger side. My biggest concerns on shortening a long bed box is the gradual sloping body lines on the front and rear of the box. How can I do this without spending a ton of dough on this?
There are a few videos on RUclips of guys shortening the bedsides. The detail where too cut, measurements, etc. We've never done it here because we've always used reproduction bedsides and floor to get the job done. There's also a place in AZ called MetalOx Fab that does this for a reasonable price
@BROTHERSTruckPartsTV I meant to provide an update to this. A year ago you guys had posted a video titled 67-72 Chevy and GMC Truck / How To Shorten Bed Sides with your host Dave.
I want to thank everyone at Brother's Trucks for your videos on converting and upgrading our beloved trucks. We are going to miss you all.
I have a '69 C10 Long Bed that I will converting to Short Bed (using your kit) and need to know what adjustments I need to make regarding my wood bed parts. I have the new wood bed kit, but do I simply delete the cross member closest to the cab to shorten the bed length?
Joe, it's probably best for you to call our customer service guys and have a bit more detailed discussion about this. However, assuming you already have short bedsides, it's basically eliminating the front cross-sill and building the bed back as if it was a shortbed to begin with. If you move forward with the project and get stuck, just call the shop and we'll get you moving again.
after cutting the rear of the frame and drilling new holes for the bumper will i still be able to use my factory overload springs ?
Curt, we did a '66 with factory overload springs a year or so ago but honestly can't remember if we had to remove them or they got to stay in place. As we recall, they could have stayed in place with a modification to the bumper brackets so they would clear the spring mounts. Although, we're reasonably convinced that we removed ours just to make the job easier. We know that there is enough room to cut the rear of the frame and keep the helpers, it's just the bumper mounts that interfere.
@@BROTHERSTruckPartsTV thanks for the reply
Thanks brothers
Can this kit be strong enough to hold a truck with around 500+ horsepower or does there have to be more modifications?
It is plenty strong for a truck with that level of power.
Have a 81 2wd short box and a 85 4x4 long box do they make a kit to put the short box on the 4x4
Our kit can be used to shorten your 4x4. We have already done it during our development process of this product.
Just curious. Why not use a plasma cutter?
You could, but that's not a tool people commonly have at their disposal.
Will this conversion still be able to tow the same weight?
Should this be used on a light used truck ? Or could this be used on a lifted truck that frequently goes off road. (No heavy offroading, just driving on dirt roads with washouts and ruts getting to certain locations).
After the frame is shortened it will be as strong if not stronger than it was originally. The "C" channel support has been used in big trucks for decades (Kenworth, Peterbuilt, etc).
@@BROTHERSTruckPartsTV Thanks a bunch!
nice 😀the long bed trucks are hella cheaper than the original short beds that's wassup.🤔on that custom built
Good video, man after my own heart, flip flops???!!
Do you have a video for shortening the bed
Not yet, but we're working on one.
Wow, that's a good product. Does it work for a c20 with leaf springs.
Yessir it does. leafs are a little different where the rear bumper holes get moved to, but otherwise it's the same kit.
Wat dose the kit cost
Here's a link: goo.gl/xEsPsC
Can you still make a short bed conversion after you’ve dropped the suspension on a longbed truck?
Yeah, not a problem as long as you didn't mess with the actual suspension components in the rear, like the control arms or their mounting position. If you just did springs/shocks you're OK.
@@BROTHERSTruckPartsTV thanks!
Trying to do this. But was not able to tuck my saw saw in between cab and frame like video. Not sure if blade was to big or saw saw to big. Any one any thoughts?
Possible that the saw blade was too long? We've never run into that problem.
Great Video and Instructions..I just got a 70 C10 long bed and want to go short during my restoration.. Do you add a dvd of this video in the kit?.. I am going to get a new bed kit anyways due to rust around the wheel wells.. NO BONDO ALLOWED!!!
I have a separate question also.. Do you make a splice bracket for frames that have bad or broken places ?
No DVD come with the kit, but the written instructions are excellent and make a great companion when used with this video. We do not have splice braces (fish plates) for strengthening broken frames, but you can make your own out of raw sheetmetal.
Where is the best place to find the actual short bed bed?
Ok so after I do this I need to cut the bed frame too right
Just curious, why do you have to relocate the rear bumper mounts? I figured all that back there was the same?
The middle of the frame has to be shortened as well as the rear, so because of that the bumper mounts need to be moved.
Are there any of these conversation kits for an 80s f150 long bed to shortbed
Sorry, not from us. We only do Chevy & GMC trucks.
I would like to know if you guys have this kit yet available for my 84 c10
Not yet, still working on it.
@@BROTHERSTruckPartsTV Still working on it?
Just flipping through and watched some guy Dick shorten a Frame . Totally Wrong ! Getting older but near 40 years ago was building Truck's 5 day's a week . YOU Guys are On The BALL ! TRULY things have to be Supported properly , cut Nicely and OH those Pilot Holes👈👍 WELD it Correctly back it up and Bolt ur Down 😉 Having A Submarine Captain Nuclear Welder for a Boss helped Me . 🇺🇸
Thanks! Great to have someone with your expertise that understands the process and proper way to do the job commenting.
I have a 68 c20 custom camper. Its got a 98 in long bed. Would this kit work on it?
We're not 100% sure. Please call our office and ask for Jamie, he's the expert on fitment for this product.
Is that c chanel can be used on a 82 c10 just for re enforcement of the frame not for measuring just to re enforce the frame the c chanel to re enforce the frame????
No, the frame on an '82 is a different thickness. We are very close to releasing our 1973-1987 version of this kit so keep an eye on our RUclips channel and website.
@@BROTHERSTruckPartsTV how long more you think before releasing the kit??
@@solmora6495 We are testing prototypes right now, so with some luck we might have it available in the next 4-6 weeks.
@@BROTHERSTruckPartsTV ok thanks I'll be waiting for it!!!
How is going the kit for the 82 c10 is going to be ready any soon???? How thicker c chanel needs to be for that year frame?????
So could you just use an original shortbed chevy drive shaft after conversion?
You could, or just have 12" removed from the front section of your long bed shaft.
@@BROTHERSTruckPartsTV Is there a video on shortening the drive shaft?
@@chetbarney6635 No sir, Sorry. We recommend you have that done by a driveshaft shop.
Will this kit work on GMC c10 trucks with leaf springs?
Yes, with just a slightly different modification when creating the new rear bumper holes.
@@BROTHERSTruckPartsTV thank you!
You never showed fitting the front bed mounts, do you have to change the angle?
Once you remove the old front mounts the secondary mounts will become the front mounts and they happen to also be in the exact perfect position already!
Would this video also work for a 1962 C10 Chev long bed?
Sorry, it won't work on the '62 and prior frame.
Guy at 8:02 " oh shit..."
😭
Nice job Brothers! Just ordered a kit from you! Do you still use the longbed trailing arms on the newly cut shortbed’s rear suspension?
Longbed and Shortbed trailing arms are the same, nothing to change, it all just moves forward.
Is there a kit for 1980 c10??
As of April 2021 there isn't, but we should have one available by June 2021.
Nice work.cool videos. Just wondering if you guys make a kit for F100
67-72 thanks
No sir, sorry.
Will this work on a 1960 Chevy??
Is it the same process for a 89 gmc Sierra c1500??
Got a video's on shortening the box?
Not just yet, but we may have one coming soon.
Wanna use the bed of my 66 to make your video? Lol
What do I do if there are no holes to align in my frame. I have a 72 c10. One hole lines up on the right side but none align on the left side
Call the shop, ask for Jamie. He'll have the answers
Can I just buy a short bed drive shaft?
We don't sell one, but maybe your local driveline shop does.
1962 short bed conversion?
Nothing planned. That frame is not really friendly to being shortened :-(
@@BROTHERSTruckPartsTV ima have to make that long bed farm truck into a beauty!