Long Bed to Short Bed Conversion WITHOUT any Welding! - 71 LS Powered C10 is Now a Shorty
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- Опубліковано 9 лют 2025
- The video you have all been waiting for. I finally pulled the trigger on my LS powered C10 and started the short bed conversion. Step 1 was removing the leaf spring perches from the truck. Then some simple measuring to locate and drill the new mounting holes. Once the axle was in it's new location it was time to test fit the bed sides. They are a little awkward so a buddy will be needed. Once everything is test fit and you're happy with the look it's time to cut. The short bed trucks have a 12 inch shorter wheel base and a 20 inch shorter bed. Since I moved the axle up 12 inches I cut the full 20 inches off the back of the truck. Everything seemed to line up and I was extremely happy with the fitment of all the parts. Once I finish the cab metal work I can bolt the box down permanently.
Let me know what you think about shortening the wheel base this way.
Also don't forget to follow along on Instagram @ ddspeedshop
Check out the merch www.teespring.com/stores/dd-speed-shop
Short bed conversion kit? We don't need no stinkin short bed conversion kit! Great job Dan and great video. You made it look almost easy.
haha thanks buddy!
@@DDSpeedShop@ will same procedure work on a 77 c10???
hey Dan current viewer here... this old vid just popped up on my feed and i had not seen this episode yet so here i am. Ya come a long way bud👍
At first I wasn't keen on the idea of making it a short bed. But now, after seeing what you did, and how you did it, I have to agree that it worked out well! Great work, as always, Dan!
yeah i really like how it worked out
I love how you are not afraid to try anything on your cars. You do a great job with not a lot of money in your projects.
haha yup, its only a car it can all be fixed
Awesome job! You just set the new standard for shortening these old trucks. Stronger, easier, faster, and safer. Thanks for sharing.
thanks buddy!
Got the Chevette fired up sounds sweet waiting on driveshaft and spool then it will be time to work out the bugs then burn them down I can already hear the tires begging for mercy looking forward to learning a new way to shorten a long bed thanks for taking the time. To show how it's done
Hell ya! Thanks for watching man
@@DDSpeedShop thanks for creating good content helped alot with my ls swap.
I really like your attitude nothing is a big deal just do it and get it done great videos keep up the great work
just keep moving forward, eventually its done haha
I have a 1971 factory made short wheel base step side I need to get rolling again thanks for the inspiration to get me going toward getting mine back on the road mine has been converted to a granny 4 speed on the floor I've had this truck since 1991. Handed down from my dad who purchased it brand new in 1971 thanks for your show
✌😎👍
I impressed with your shortening approach. I worked for a few years way back for a Vancouver area vintage and rod parts supplier. So many times I was told by customers who I would have described as novices that they were about to cut a frame to shorten or clip their project. Sometimes it made me wonder if I should share the road with them. So many advice discussions I (we) had with customers where we provided them with a reference to a builder who was not only qualified to splice a frame but could also provide a provincial inspection sticker. So many times we heard “the brother-in-law can weld”! This is a safe a simply solution that I don’t recall seeing done. Better than a ‘55 F-100 I recall coming into the lot one Saturday tracking like a German Shepard with bad hips.
thanks buddy!
One of, if not the best channel to show how to do things to save major cash on projects!
Wow thanks!
reel hot roding for reel people. love it!
Love it! do it on the cheap....you are fortunate to have a dad that works with you on these projects...
Waaaay ahead of you. Haha
I never would have thought about doing it this way. I have seen military 2 1/2 trucks bobbed this way but never on a pickup. It makes you take a second look at the plentiful long beds for sale for a short bed project. Great job and I'm subscribed.
awesome! thanks for the support
That spout you found inside the cab of that C10 that you wasn"t sure what it was, is actually a spout that was used back in the day when motor oil was sold in quart cans. This spout would be bumped up against the cylinder of the can and the point would be pushed down through the lid of the can which would cut a large hole in the top of the can and stay stuck so you could turn the can upside down through the filler hole of the valve cover and leave sit unattended and allow the can to empty all of it"s contents with no worries of spillage while flowing into the valve cover. A very cheap ,and smart idea in that time. Just a little FIY for ya ! I enjoy your video"s
Don't toss the left-over leaf springs, they make great tools.
Depending on how thick they are if you grind down an end slightly and heat and fold over the other end so you can strike it more easily, they fit things like drip rails and quite a few different flanges (doors, sills and such). Long sections make great relatively shallow curves for hammer forming sheet over (and can leave a nice slightly rolled or rounded edge rather than really sharp 90).
ooo good call! ill kep em around
Well done sir.... your "get it done" outlook on things is top shelf.
oya i like to finish stuff up
Much better!! Looks great. This is how we change wheel base on semi trucks all the time, the straight frame makes it a bit easier but it works mint!!
I did this same thing to a 2008 international Durastar 4300, it was an interesting job to do. I had to move the axle up, cut 28 inches out of the frame. It had me scratching my head a couple times... but I pulled it off. I got a Good Job from my boss.
Your video and audio is pretty good, I'll smash that sub button.. looking forward to seeing how this build turns out.
awesome! thanks for the support buddy
What do u do for a living bro ? You got mad skills. And your turn around time is crazy for a one man show.
I may be the only one who appreciates long beds...nice work!
i like em too but the shorties sell easier
Why would you say that?
Nice way to chop it! You'll avoid cracks in the frame welds this way. Years of reliability
im hoping so, thanks for watching!
Why would you get cracks in the frame welds?
@@kevingarnet6822 Because he saw a weld crack once in 1957 and that means they all do..
But yes I have always heard all my life never weld on tempered C channel frames. So you could be right Stephen lol.
Awesome video bud. I got a 56 chevy swb stepside truck I'm building and its sitting on a 79 c10 frame that I did. The c10s wheelbase is 3 inches longer, so I'm thinking of doing this to get rid of the big gap between the cab and the bed
For just 3 inches, consider having a spring shop make some custom springs with the center bolt moved ahead 3 inches.
yeah anything is possible man
@@closetpicker I never thought about that. It would probably just be easier to move the shackles up anyways just because if I need to replace them or something
❤❤ I love your videos, awesome content😊
I'm sure there are a lot of people out there that don't have welding skills or equipment that are saying I can do it that way. I'm also sure that short box sales are going to increase. Thanks for what you do.
thanks for watching and supporting!
Moving the shackles up looks like a good way to go!!
The new bed sides is a no brainer
The way this one's going You will be driving it soon.
yeah hoping itll be done shortly
If you look under a 1998 Ford “Nascar” F-150 they moved a bunch of suspension mounts to lower it. You can see where they used to be.
Looking good! Can't wait to see it all come together.
haha me too!
Well done dan looks brilliant good way to do it .keep up the good work
thanks!
Looking forward to seeing your next video...wanna come fix the cab corners, rockers and floor on my 72 c-10 lol...learning a lot from your videos thanks for sharing
haha you got it man. just start cutting and welding till its all done
The old C10 is looking better every video. I see a new bigger 2 bay( or larger) shop with a hoist in your future. That one does the job but working in tight quarters gets old after a while. Future video...You Tube pays for my new shop...hehe
yeah that would be the dream! maybe one day
Wow. Real talent here ladies and gents. Inspiring me to reduce wheelbase on Toyota Tacoma double cab. 🙂
I have to admit when you said how you were going about this I couldn't picture it. But I also didn't realize the frame was kinda sorta "straightish"...love where your head's at and looking good.
thanks buddy! im just winging it haha
Who's to say what's the right way or the wrong way. It's just a different way. It's looking good, can't wait to see the finished project.
haha exactly!
What a good idea! It seems like such a simple idea now that you have told us how to do it! You are amazing! Very smart thinking Dan.
Wow great idea better than cutting the middle of the truck Frame.
Did not know sho is better than slicing the frame learn sompin new everyday they say nice work dude
needed better to me thats for sure
Dan it is starting to look great best wishes your biggest fan😋😊😃😀☺️
thanks buddy!
Nice work !!! Congratulations, that C10 is coming to life again.
thanks buddy!
Hercules tires! Had them on my Galaxie. BEST frikkin tires I ever ran. If I remember correctly, they're made by Cooper.
Like I've said before, I'm a Ford guy but, I dang sure love that body style. Maybe it's just that I appreciate old iron. Who knows!
Can't wait to see the finished product. Looks great so far. Thanks for sharing!
awesome thanks for watchign my friend! first time with these tires.
@@DDSpeedShop Hope you have the same luck as I did!
Yeah man, that worked out great. Maybe think about this, move your cross members back in line with the shackles because that would give the spring perches more support from side motion like it was from the factory.Then you can reuse your shock mounts, just drill new holes in the frame. Plus since the front perch is is still below the bed mount I'd go with a plate welded to the frame with a gusset welded on each end. Hope this helps man .
yeah i had those thoughts. but the frame angles around so i think it would be tough.
@@DDSpeedShop I hear ya on that.
Looks like the way to go to me, keep it simple. Appears that thing still has the factory spiral shocks on it, crazy.
haha yeah, theyre a little beat
Cool... When I did mine I had to play with the shackles to get it to have the right stance ... Looks Good....
thanks buddy! im hoping this looks good once its all together
Genius process, way better than hacking the frame.
Just a thought, that crossmember should be moved forwards as well. Stiffens up the frame where the front spring mounts are attached. Might be able to work that into those 2 empty bolt holes as well.
I agree. If you notice, all 4 mounting points for the spring hangers have crossmembers on the other side of them. Helps keep the leaf spring perch from wanting to twist the frame.
If this were scheduled for typical truck use, hauling heavy or uneven loads I feel this would be an issue, but I suspect this project has retired the "truck" life and it will be unneeded
Right on DAN looking good , the hard parts done ! It's getting close to time for a burnout!!
yeah all down hill from here
U can add metal to the original front brackets for the leaf spring and just add bolts and holes, zip off the top call it a day. Looks good great job keep up the good work. Also nice work on the outro
yup
Dude, saw this on sloppy and clicked so fast! Working on a long bed and would love to shorten it
nice! thanks for watching man
Awesome work as usual with alot of speed and precision....will be shredding those tires sooner than later.....
haha yeah i gotta melt em down
looks good. just like Sinatra, you did it your way. i like how you didn’t have to cut the frame but having to move the leaf spring and shock mounts is still a lot of work. it is definitely easier than pulling the cab off.
yeah it wasnt super easy but simple
I like it. Simple is still my favorite way to modify things!
I know they didn't have UA-cam back in the day and I wonder if they told George Barris he was doing it wrong?. I wouldn't spend one second of breath on those haters.
From what I can see, this is your truck. Build it the way you want it. Looks good so far. 👍
haha i kinda enjoy doing my own thing no matter what other people say
Really really great idea.. I'm glad it worked out for you.. What I would do for those front spring perches is get a nice piece of flat stock put it behind and push it all the way down to the frame and drill the top holes and weld it to the frame then cut a piece of box tubing and weld it inbetween the flat stock and that body mount.. And just add a couple of gussets at the ends and weld the flat to the frame and the box and all the gussets and bolt the top bolts and done.. But that's just me.. But great job.. Can't wait to see the next video.. Keep the wrenches a Turin and the tires a burin.. Lol..
yup i got some nice thick angle ill weld on and she'll be strong as hell
I was thinking the same. It’d give the upper front mounts greater side to side stability.
I am slowly coming to terms with you guys not helping Justin Bieber get back into Canada but I am always admiring the time you put into research and quality of your work , its good to see
haha thats on dani. I just cut and weld
I did an 84 square body the same way. I used replacement drop spring hangers and they fit perfectly. Did have to move bed mounts. Goodluck it's no big deal.
thanks man!
Nice video. I counted two propane tanks and a propane heater you were spraying sparks all over when the back of the frame went bye-bye. You might want to watch that next time so something does't go boom!
im gunna add some pyro to the channel
Looks good from here. Keep posting and we'll keep watching.
ill keep em coming!
Years ago on my 67 swapped out coil spring to leaf spring rear end. Also swap to disc brake on front. This looks very interesting, I get time I'll watch this. My long bed holds the road very well. I just wonder about that with the short wheel base. I seen people put later model beds. Speaking of 87 through mid 90s. The design lines seem to match up very well.
yeah i just love the classic look of the 67-72s
Thanx for the update 👍 trust it wasnt to 🤕. Looking forward for the next update. Stay healthy 😷
i try my best! thanks for watching!
Great job...better than hacking up the middle of the chassis and fooling with the cab.
Looks like it's going to work out,great video!looking forward to seeing it all together. 👍👍
yeah i needed to see it together for a bit haha
Your shop looks like mine. Can't hardly get around. But last few days have cleared it up.threw a bunch of stuff away thar was junk. You had a good idea on just moving the rear end forward.
Looking good! I used a piece of 1 7/8" 1/4" wall DOM tubing across the top of the frame on my Taco, notch the ends so it sits flat, weld on some shock mount tabs. Quick and easy if you haven't got it all done already. Keep em coming man
thanks buddy. im sure ill figure somthing out haha
That looks like the way to do it. Great job and Another great video 👍👍💪
Thanks for sharing your adventures! I love watching!
awesome! thanks for watching!
Never seen one done this way, I’m sure a lot of purist won’t be happy, but if it works for you and it works for what you need it go for it! Great information!
YOUR IDEA WORKED OUT GREAT !!!! LOOKING GOOD !! THANKS !
thanks!
Had a 1978 Blazer back in the day. It looks just like a blazer. back in the day
I got a truck I need too send you it's lwb but I wanna make it swb for like a street truck kinda like a daily it's a 84 f150 lwb 2wd that my grandparents rode in together before they passed away. I love your fabrication and work!
Dan, it’s your thing, do what you want to do! Guess I’m lazy because I would have bought a short bed truck or made an extended cab with a short bed. It would be cool to have an extended cab pickup that model!
yeah id of liked a factory shorty but up here a basket case like i bought but a short bed is about 5 grand
Lazy? You have to work an extra 6 months to afford the stock short bed so really this is the lazy mans way.
Somehow missed a few videos after the de-dooring of Dannie's 57.
Past Dan and Murr good on camera.
Current Dan and Murr great on camera!
Take care😁
Thanks tim! Your a bad ass man
@@DDSpeedShop
You are welcome😃
Edit:
That is better than being a dumb ass, right?....haha😉
I like your "KISS" method vs what everyone else does. Good job man!
yeah no point over complicating everything
Great video, I'm doing the same but on a 96 GMC C3500. Everything is heavy duty on the C3500, next week the drive shaft goes in to be shortened.
i'd build a small gusset for the upper frt leak spring mounts. It should't have to be elaborate or anything. Your doing a super job buddy!
Very inspiring!
thanks buddy!
You did that just like I am doing mine only you are a lot faster. Looks great!
Haha my standards are probably just a little lower.
Looks great! I have a '69 long bed that I'm going to leave original, just to be different, lol.
Phil Sigman good! Someone has to leave a long bed a long bed, next thing you know they are gonna be the rare ones 😬
haha i hear ya man. i like long beds but shortys sell
DD Speed Shop ya it seems that way.. and it ain’t mine so who am I to say. I won’t be shortening my long bed anytime soon though 😉
I think long beds look better, more in proportion, but people seem to love the shorties.
qwerty_tom I agree, they look kinda awkward short like that unless they are stepsides, but then that’s just me, maybe it’s for people who can’t park with that extra two feet out back 😂
Looks great and nice that you’re dad helped
yeah he's a pretty good guy
Awesome job can't wait to see what I looks like when it's finished should be good
yeah should be a cool hot rod when its all done. i hope anyways haha
Wow I know what I'm doing with my c10 this summer
Hi there Dan just got to see the video. That's a easier way to do it I've seen it done by cutting it under the cab and behind the cab also. I'll be looking forward to seeing how you finish it out . 😎🤟
yup ive seen it done that way lots. i like to be different haha
@@DDSpeedShop yeah it's a good idea you have.
Wicked machine..... another awesome Canadian 😈 with mad skill
Thanks buddy!
That looks awesome , FANTASTIC work Dan . I sure love that shade of green , and those old school rims under the truck are sweet . I thinks you should keep it for a shop truck . Cheers
yeah im kinda starting to like this thing. I dunno i really dont need another truck though
Freaking awesome DD, thanks for sharing the knowledge.
Nice job...we are doin one now but scrapped and refabbed w adj. Spring buckets and all tubing over a Ford 9. long beds are underated in drop builds esp...
wow that sound like a few dollars spent haha
@@DDSpeedShop to the contrary...we took a 9 hsg (used)and used all used parts. I'll have 8 k into it out the door done and that includes purchase..but it's not our first. Sag.4spd...complete rebuild on a 602 Chevy 350. Wide five rims on the rear...air in the front. PS, PB
Think it’s looking great. Good job all round. I personally wouldn’t rely on the two bolts for them front mounts, but then that’s me over engineering everything. Take care...👍🇬🇧
thanks buddy.
Why?What is the breaking strength?
Very clever, Bud!
Glad you think so!
Ol C10 is looking good already, nice work as usual Dan. 👍🏻
thanks buddy!
You betcha! 👍🏻
that worked out better then I expected. nice job!
I would probably want to put the overload leaf back in. it's gonna cause you a ton of axle wrap, I know this by experience lol
haha slapper bars to the rescue
Yep..nice job...I'm happy as you'd say...
me too! today was the day ive been working for
Coming along man..now you have some sneak room behind it to work lol 😉right on 👍
haha yeah. next time ill start with the 20 inch cut
I like the old c10 build awsome work bro
thanks buddy
That's seems like a better way to do it. Even with a C notch if needed it seems as though the frame would stay structurally stronger than splicing it. Nice job! ~Pat
my thoughts exactly!
Love ya work Dan. Keep on Keepin' on Mate... Billy J..... Australia.
thanks buddy!
@@DDSpeedShop Brent at Halfass Customs has got a video on how to shorten your tail-shafts yourself so saving $$$$$'s too. I've done several myself over the years & never had a problem. Might be worth a look.
Looking good Dan!! You have inspired me to get back in the garage! Keep up the great work!
nice! glad i could help!
you could put the axle on top of the leaf springs and then lower the mountings
i have to lower them equally or shim the rear end for the pinion angel
I believe if you just lowered the front spring mount on to the frame, it would be OK like that.
Nice mate good to see no frame welds
I would mount your spring mounts lower on the frame and flip your rear end on top of the leaf springs. That way you don't have to make any special brackets that way you will get the same drop if not lower. As a bonus you could put lowering blocks in to take up that gap from having to long of U bolts. Just a thought.
yeah i had those thoughts. thanks for the tip my friend
A buddy of mine did same type of shorting. He left shock mounts in same spot and just used shorter shocks. looks good though!
thanks man!
Also..... Idk how common they are up North, Or if it would even interest you, but It would be Cool to see you do a Bump side or a Dent side Ford pickup build/mod.
I like that your not cutting the frame!!👍👍😎 good job.
yeah me too haha
You could put a plate in between the front spring mount and frame,the same shape as the spring mount and weld it to the frame. Maybe also some small triangles on top of the frame to stiffen the front mount.
yeah ill figure somting out im sure. thanks buddy!
That was an interesting video thank you for all the information