I just bought a reg cab 94 2500 and I am planning on converting it to a short bed. Who has done this? What all did you have to do?

 

just thinking about it your going to have to cut down the frame in front of the rear axle and also shorten the drive shaft. look at the placement of the wheel wells on the short beds compared to the long beds. or if you have the chance measure it.

 

Get in contact with morse I believe he has an 06 2500 shorbox.

Edit: he is online now

 

I already have planned that I'm going to have to shorten the frame, driveshaft, brake lines, parking brake cables, and wiring. My main concern is the fuel tank. I don't have the truck yet so I don't know if it will work with the short bed or if i'm gonna have to get one from a short bed ext cab truck.

 

i did this years ago on a 78 chevy when i was 16.. measure the wheelbase you need, and cut the frame behind the cab and cut out the correct amount, move it back forward and weld it all up, make gussest on the inside of the frame rails, shorten the driveshaft, if your carefull and a decent welder and you take your time it can be done without having any vibration..or if your unsure about it have a driveline shop make you one, then find a shortbed and bolt it on.... it might seem complicated and many would say its a waste of time....but i know in my case it saved me alot of money because shortbed trucks were going for so much more, plus it was a neat thing to say i did, esp being 16....as long as your a good welder and you take your time, it can be done just fine..took me pretty much a whole day from start to finish....

 

gunracer1 has a 97 or 98 reg cab short box 2wd. Took a long bed and cut it down. Might want to talk to him as well.

 

Thanks for the info. Like I said my main question is the fuel tank. I'm not really worried about the fabrication aspect.

 

Stock longbed tank is 36 gallons, shortbed is 33.
Sounds like you might have to do something.

 

If you look around you may be able to find one already made like that. The Air Force has some 2wd shortbeds that they used to pull stands and generatora and stuff like that. I think all of the ones I have ever seen were 12v and a couple of furds. They may have some for sale somwhere, I am not really sure.

 

Thanks for the help. I'd like to find an airforce truck like that. I've seen them but they're hard to find. I already bought a 94 2500 with 66,800 original miles. I did some checking on car-part.com and it says there's only a gallon difference in the tank sizes but that doesn't sound right. I think the 33 and 36 gallon sounds more like it. I'm hoping I can make it work without it. I sent gunracer1 a message but he hasn't replied.

 

You may be able to get a tank from somewhere like this http://www.transferflow.com/ or get a tank from a gasser short truck and convert it to diesel.

 

Local airports might have them as well. The Calgary Airport has 7.3L 6 spd F-550's that are 4wd and bob tailed. They were shorter than my reg cab/short box ranger.

 

I bought a bed for $600 that is the same color as my truck and has a linex spray in liner already in it. Has a small dent where the bumper got into it during a crash. Now I just need a short bed fuel tank and I'll be cuttin it down.