Short Bed or long Bed

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Icethrasher
Posts: 31
Joined: Sat Mar 28, 2020 4:39 pm

Short Bed or long Bed

Post by Icethrasher »

Thinking about swapping my cab from a LB j10 over to a short bed chassis with a t18, D20 and j20 axles. I would eventually need a better bed for the short bed, so that could take some time. Or am I better off with the long bed? The short bed cab and bed are SHOT, but I hate to see it go to scrap. I’m partial to the look of the short bed and will use the truck for hunting/fishing/adventures/camping and runs uptown…

Will add photos later
1976 J10 - 401, TH400, BW1339
1974 Ford F250 - 360, Manual, 4x4
1949 GMC FC150, 270 I6, Manual
2004 Nissan Xterra, Lifted, Manual
2002 Kawasaki KLR250
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Stuka
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Re: Short Bed or long Bed

Post by Stuka »

Its really personal preference, and which ever one is in better shape. Personally I really like the short beds. I think the 7ft bed is just right.

I will note that the cab mounts did move. If both are 74+ then you are fine. If one is a Gladiator and one a J10, then you will need to move the mounts.
2017 JKU Rubicon
Pevious Jeeps: 1981 J10, 1975 Cherokee, 2008 JK, 2005 KJ, 1989 XJ
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Topic author
Icethrasher
Posts: 31
Joined: Sat Mar 28, 2020 4:39 pm

Re: Short Bed or long Bed

Post by Icethrasher »

Thanks Stuka.

Short bed truck is definitely in worse shape as far as the body and bed are concerned. Most of it is going to scrap, less the decent parts and glass. Frame isn't in bad shape, but a fair amount of surface rust that needs to be managed. I guess I am thinking longer term investment and enjoyment, but maybe I will never find a short bed box that is in decent shape. Typically I have seen salvageable long beds surface for sale more than others...

Regarding the years, they are both 1976 J10's. Good to know about the gladiator body mounts, as that has crossed my mind previously.
1976 J10 - 401, TH400, BW1339
1974 Ford F250 - 360, Manual, 4x4
1949 GMC FC150, 270 I6, Manual
2004 Nissan Xterra, Lifted, Manual
2002 Kawasaki KLR250

akguy09
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Joined: Mon Aug 30, 2021 6:11 am
Location: Ellicott, Colorado

Re: Short Bed or long Bed

Post by akguy09 »

I would buy a few beds cut up the worst ones and use the sheet metal as replacement panels on a "good" bed. My short bed wasn't in bad shape so I just bought a piece of 16 gauge sheet metal and made my own replacement parts and welded them up
1979 Jeep J-10 304/T-18
2017 Jeep JK 2DR
2021 PowerWagon
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