So I have an 83 long bed I was thinking of bobbing between 12-15 inches I was getting an idea of how much this might help my approach angles because wheeling this last weekend I felt like the back end was just flying around back there slamming down as I went through water crossings. What is the best amount to cut off to really help but not be more than 15 inches and look good i'm really just looking for advice and picture or links would be great thanks

 

Don't cut any thing until you are sure what length rear springs you are gonna use. A lot of guys bob their truck and than want to add frame back on for 63's..

 

Well how much can I cut off without cutting the frame? And I did have an idea of using 63's

 

I'm in the same boat as you. I want to bob the bed while I save up for parts. I plan on 63's as well and I don't want to bob twice. I'm thinking I can cut 3" off of the frame and still have an inch or so wiggle room to get a good shackle angle. I'm not for certain but it seems about right from what I've read. I sure would hate to be wrong though!

 

I was also thinking of just cutting it down to the length of a short bed not sure how long they are though

 

I am in the same boat also, here is my deal its and 82 2x4 for now I have a short bed camper shell off a 84+ that I am gonna put on, it(shell) is 13" shorter than my bed now so I am gonna bob the bed to match the shell. I just figured when I install the 63"s if they are to long I will hang the shackles off my rear bumper.(I wonder if that would be legal in Missouri?)

Gonna be watching!

 

please don't cut the bed, they are so hard to get a hold of now because of the rust. i'm sure someone would buy your good bed, then you could fab up any size bed you want for wheeling

 

Sorry I dont like the look of a flat bed and cancer already has a hold on my bed any ways....LOL...


If it wasn't for the "Cash for Clunkers" we would still have a lot to choose from..... I saw two decent looking 1st gens on a toy lot durring that time period and they told me not to even look they couldn't sell them.

 

not a first gen truck but on my 3rd gen i did 10 inches and 63's. the frame sticks out a bit but i plan on have a custom bumper made to work with it



usually chevys move the rear spring mounts back 4inchs and foward 11ish... so if you dont want to have your springs stick out measure 5 inches or so back from your current location and and bob it from there.

 

Actually up where I live it is a lot easier to find long beds in good condition than it is short beds there's 3 good ones sitting in one of my local pick and pulls and several more at ones around town. and I even have another long bed sitting on the side of my house.

I do want to do the chevy's because the ride is rough now and I want the flex but I'm wondering if it'll look weird with my 31's.

I'm considering the bob because its way cheaper than building a flat bed and I want to kinda keep the look of the first gen while making it as capable as possible. hard to find a bob thats not too big but still serves the purpose well.

I was thinking of making the bed as long as a short bed I measured a friends first gen long bed and it came up to 15" shorter thats a bigger bob and not sure if I would have room for my63's after that

 

Looks like cutting 3" off of the frame will allow a bob of 14" and have the frame flush with the roll pan. Seeing how a lot of guys do a 14" bob I'm gonna guess its the magic number. You can still bob 15" out of yours and just have the frame stick out a bit like the pics runs-on-4 posted. I plan on welding a 2"x3" tube in the end of the frame for a crossmember/bumper.
I am gonna run 31's and 63" springs with RUF's for a while too. Gonna look silly but I ain't gonna spend money on rims (16" on the truck currently) and tire for it to look good til I get my 39.5" Iroks. I sure aint gonna run them big ole tires with out regearing it and I plan on gears and lockers last.

 

I want to do that someday day too, but just getting started on a long addictive Toyota rebuild!

 

any updates on this????

 

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f88/...ur-bed-228060/