I need some suggestions on how you would shorten an 8 ft. bed and make it a 6 ft. bed. Is it possible, and has anyone ever done it and what challenge's will I run into? I have an 85 crew cab with a short bed and want to make it a dually short bed. I have a bed lined up complete with fenders and that is what I am modifying to fit my truck. The possibility of lengthening the frame is out of the question because that will defeat the purpose of what I am attempting to do here. Thanks for your help!

 

If the 6ft bed is decent, why not install the dually fenders on it? I would think this would be a lot easier than front-bobbing the 8-foot bed.

 

The long bed would need to be bobbed some between the cab and the axle. Then again between the axle and the tail lights. All of the extra legnth is not in one place. Would be easies to adapt the dually flares to the short box like mieser said. (if you have a short box)

 

The problem with the current 6 ft. bed is the wheel well opening.I have a driver side dually fender and held it up to the bed and the fender diameter is much larger than the current opening. My bed has rust around the top of the wheel wells and I do not have a problem with grafting the larger dually wheel well in it's place. I will also need to rework the inside of the box. This is the reason I am asking what would be easier...shorten the bed or graft dually wheel wells onto existing bed. Keep the ideas coming!

Thanks!!

 

there are aftermarket dually conversion fenders you can use on that 6ft bed made by arrowcraft I believe.

 

In my opinion, it would be easier to radius out the short bed fenders to fit the dually flares. If that removed all existing rust, problem solved.

As far as shortenning the dually long bed, the big issue is rewelding the bed skin back together after taking six inched out of the rear and 12 inches out of the front. Welding up long seams on exposed surfaces is a craft. So many people just get it close then slathe a galloon of body filler on it and call it good.

I like the dually shortbed idea. I was going that direction but changed my mind and sold my rear flares. Pics when done?

 

Thanks every one, your suggestions is what I was looking for. Papecat I am aware of the Arrowcraft fenders. I toyed with that idea but....they look like DARE I say it "chevy" fenders!!!! I can't have that!! lololol!! Trooperthorn I was considering doing radius to the wheel well and that would take care of the rust. Would you need to enlarge the inner bed wheel wheel wells also? Now another thought! Cut down (reduce) the width of the rear axle so the outer wheels will be under the bed more and I could get by with a wide 4wd fender flare. I don't know the cost of this but I have seen a couple of trucks in my area that have done this. Just a thought... Yes I will do pictures when I get started.

Thanks Evey one
Augie Dog

 

I don't think the inner fenders are different on the duallies. It is just the outside that needs to be hacked. There are bolt on fenders that look exactly like the factory. I don't know where you find them, but alwaysworking got his with a bed at a wrecking yard.

 

Arrowcraft looks stock to me

http://www.arrowcraft.com/products.php#fenders

 

Yep. Thoese are probably them.

 

Papecat,please accept my apology! It seem Arrowcraft has come a long way with their products.When I first researched them (5 yrs. ago) all they had was a chevy/ford looking fender and did not offer a dodge. Thank you for bringing this to my attention.

 

I was wondering what you meant Augie Dog. I had a look yesterday and they looked pretty darn close to me! I need a set and these may be the way to go... I just don't know how they attach. I know how the factory ones go on, but the picture on their website doesn't show a lip on the 'bed' side to bolt it up.

 

OK! I believe I may have solved my dilemma. I e-mailed Arrowcraft and their reply stated the dually fenders they sell "WILL NOT REPLACE STOCK/ORIGINAL DUALLY FENDERS" they are not exact replica's of original fenders. Stock fenders are mounted inside the wheel well hence the reason an original dually beds wheel wells are larger than a single axle wheel well. The fenders they sell mount to the outside of the well onto the quarter panel of the box and all parts are included in the selling price of $495.00 tax not included. I am calling them tomorrow to ask more questions and I will get back with every one on this thread. Thanks again for all of your input and to Papecat for suggesting Arrowcraft. Like I stated before they did not offer these fenders when I originally purchased my truck so I did not research their company.
Thanks!
Augie Dog