Longbed to Shortbed, '65/'66

[goldenage]

Hey all,

So, I know that this has been asked a lot before, but I'm having trouble finding lots of solid information about this.

I've been thinking about doing the longbed-to-shortbed conversion on my '66 F-100. Still not sold on the idea (longbeds can be cool too), but if I were to go ahead with this, I'm curious to know where I'd cut the frame to shorten it down to shortbed specs.

Looking at the frame, I'd guess that I could cut 14" out of the space between the rear cab mounts and the leaf spring mounts to get the shorter wheelbase, but where (and how much) would you have to cut out of the rear of the frame, near the bumper?

If I was up for shortening the bed itself, how much would I need to take out of the front and rear of a longbed to make a shortbed '66? Are shortbed dimensions the same for '61-'66 F100s?

Any help is very much appreciated. Thanks!

[Toyz]

It is roughly a 4" cut at the rear of the frame. As to where to make the forward cut; I would want to both "fishmouth" and box the cut area, so you would need to allow room for that. To match up correctly, you need the '
64/66 longbed, then the cuts will be the same dimensions as the frame cuts.
Lots easier and safer to just find a 65/66 shortbed frame and bed, IMO Frames up to 1979 will interchange although '73/79 frames are wider at the bed area. The later '70's frames will also often be set up for disc brakes. Track width on the '73 up is also wider.
Even though short Styleside beds are in demand; I would think it would be easier to just purchase one than modify a longbed.
Paul

[Toyz]

Resale value will probably be better with swapping rather than cutting, if that is any sort of concern.
Paul

[William-in-St George]

Chopping up frames is not a big deal if you have access to a skilled welder and cutting the bed down is also not a huge deal but having BTDT I sure would not recommend that to anyone. Lining up the cab and sheet metal plus getting it through state safety inspections will be tricky. Really, unless you have a shop and highly developed skills I'd not do that. Moving short sheet over to a later short frame is a big enough PITA. I would not do it again if I had any other choices. Really, the bed on the red truck is still held on by two bolts and two C clamps and will have to come off again to weld in the needed center clamps. Way to much time spent under the truck tying to figure all this out. 66 F100 on a 78 F250 extended cab frame shortened with F100 Beams and nine inch differential. Suspension is modified stiff ass F250 springs cut, flipped and still not right. JMHO.

[goldenage]

Thanks for the advice, everyone. William, you know, I hadn't thought about difficult with state inspections. Would be a really unpleasant surprise to have it rejected once everything was buttoned up.

That said, right now I'm thinking that I'll keep this one a long bed. Don't want to get in too far over my head.