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Guys I have a 99 silverado, it's a rclb. I have had this truck for a good while, it just broke 100k miles. I have replaced the brakes, tires, fuel pump, I have put a lot of time in it, it's a really nice southern truck, no rust whatsoever.
I really don't want to sell, but I want a shortbed. How hard will it be to do a conversion? I have a lot of time in it, and it's paid for. Is it a crazy idea or is it possible?
Thanks for all the help, tips, and advice.
I think after the time and money, you would be better off trading it for a short bed.
Its possible. and Prolly not all that hard, look on performancetrucks.net its been done before.
I've known people to cut them, but honestly it is easier to get a frame and swap everything over. Maybe you will get lucky and get the tank and drive-shaft and some lines with the frame.
I'd just buy a different truck though.
Depending on your welding/ fab skills it's not that hard. I've done it both ways. Either way you gotta shorten frame and driveline, but you can either cut your bed and re-weld it or find another short bed. The cool thing about cutting the bed you have is you can make it shorter than a standard short bed. You would be amazed how much diff a few inches makes.
Search the Duramax forums, there was a guy in Germany or somewhere that did this and its super easy. The frame has a slip joint that you break apart, then cut "x" amount off slide the frame rails back together and re weld it. You may have to get a different fuel tank tho, i know they are different for the long and short bed 3/4 tons
Yeah, i've done alot of thinking and I'm going to hold up awhile and see if i run across a good deal on another truck.
The absolute easiest way (from my vast amount of research when I was building my 69 c/10 project), is to find a donor rcsb donor truck with a good frame and bed. Then, you chop both trucks in half at the back of the cab, swap the back half from the donor onto the truck you want, and weld it up. This way you get all the brake lines, fuel lines, driveshaft... everything you could need is right there.Quote:
Originally Posted by stennyboy