2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Longbed/Shortbed? Experiences please!

[geusterman]

One more opinion wouldn't hurt, right? I drove my Chev (bought new 91) for 7 years with short bed. Loved it. Did everything this city/country boy needed (dirt bikes, snomos, lumber--had a headache rack and ran the long stuff over the tailgate and headache rack with one center tie-down). ONLY reason I have a long-bed now is I want to build a backcountry camper to put on it and want it as large as possible. Only reason. Shortbed would be a lot handier and serve better in town.



We still need some cut-in tool boxes between cab and rear wheels for our junk--on any sized bed! George

 

[Tomscreek]

It totally depends on what you need the truck for. We haul the kids, dogs, bikes, coolers, gear bags etc. every weekend to our cabin. Heck, my longbox isn't big enough. I'd be totally screwed with a shortbox. I just can't see having a heavy duty 3/4 t. truck with a little 6 foot box back there. I think the long box Q cabs look good too with some 285 tires. Manuverability and parking aren't a big issue for me either.

 

[TPilaske]

I have to agree w/ Pit bull and Shovelhead!

 

[WadePatton]

Well I have to chime in.



I'm a LONG bed type of guy. Hardly ever wish for more. I've never owned a SWB and don't plan on it.



My current rig is the longest with the ext cab, But I don't mind fighting it in town. It reminds me to get the heck out of town.



I gave up parking garages even before I became a ham--big antennas.



If I were using my CTD for a suburban commuter, I suppose SWB might be considered. But I don't and I'm building a carport/garage to fit my truck--not the other way around.

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by WadePatton



I'm building a carport/garage to fit my truck--not the other way around.

Wish mine fit in the garage. The next house will have a longer garage

 

[Shovelhead]

Originally posted by Pit Bull

Wish mine fit in the garage. The next house will have a longer garage

My current "Toybox" is 30' X 30'.

My next house..... it will be bigger.



The fit through the door leaves about 2-3" clearance each side for the wheelboxes.

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by Shovelhead





My current "Toybox" is 30' X 30'.

My next house..... it will be bigger.



The fit through the door leaves about 2-3" clearance each side for the wheelboxes.

If I pull mine in my side of the garage it fits width wise but it sticks out the door about 6 inches

 

[WadePatton]

years ago

My dad built a garage. Got done. Went to pull the van in... and had to fold up the mirrors!!!



Needless to say that ain't gonna happen to me.



measure 2x cut 1x--applies to the big picture too.

 

[jwdeeming]

I made two major mistakes when I bought my truck. One was not insisting on the limited slip rear end. The other was buying a shortbed.



Years ago I promised myself I would never do that. I used to say, "If I can't haul 4X8 sheets of drywall flat in the bed with the tailgate closed, I don't want it. " But there she was, sitting in the lot, looking all pretty. I muttered some excuse about being a better "daily driver", easier to park and all that rot and drove away with it.



I've been sorry ever since. Unless you just need a grocery hauler, you will eventually want that extra room.

 

[RichR]

BCFAST said: Anybody wanna buy a clean and fast truck?

I says Don't do it. Sounds like you have a good 12Ver and you'll be sorry after somebody jumps on a truck like yours.

But if your serious,I might even be interested .

RichR

 

[drrhoades]

BCFAST,

I am defintely interested in your truck. I sent you a pm



Thanks

Doug

 

[jeepit]

Long bed. Had short bed last time and i would never do it again. The ride is better, more room for stuff when camping or jeeping, can also sleep in back without curling up into a ball, haul more beer. So what if it is harder to park or steer or whatever. Its a big truck and those little rice burners will get out of your way when they see you coming!

 

[jsnyder]

Definitely a long bed. Then, if you really want some room, put a flat bed on it! I love mine and it was cheaper than repairing the hail damage.



Jason

 

[Snow man]

Ive had both,my current 2000 is a short box,and the 96 i had was a longbox,both are excab/quad cabs. I feel the long bed truck really rides much better,as well as being much more stable when towing. That aside,I love the shortbox 2000,for everything else,it manuvers excellent,feels light on its toes,and fun to drive,the long bed excab feels like a school bus in comparison. As for the bed lenth,i have an old work truck with a 8ft bed for the big nasty stuff,and a 18 ft trailer if i really want to use the ram. I also plow snow,this is where the shortbed really comes into its own,it is a much beter plow truck,and still holds my V box salter in the bed without trouble,

 

[MikeR]

They just look like 1/2 of a truck!!



Both mine are LB's, and they get used as weekend warriors that way.



-Mike

 

[kshimizu]

We have both the longbed and shortbed. I'd have to say I love my new shortbed. I don't really use the bed too much, if I'm hauling a bunch of stuff I usually throw it in or on a trailer. My dad on the other hand likes the extra room when working construction but also says my shortbed is alot easier to drive. The shortbed is much easier to handle driving around town and parking as well. Haven't had any problems towing the same loads. I hauled 30 head of cattle a month ago so I had to be around 25k pounds. The one difference I did notice which I figured out to be the light setup on my Sport model was everyone thought I had my high beams when they were just my foglights which are directly under the headlights. Ran with the foglights off for awhile and no one flashed their high beams at me. I don't notice very much difference in the ride, but the shortbed feels like it has less wander when steering.

 

[geusterman]

Jason Snyder--you have any sources for aluminum flatbeds over there in Montawania? I need lots of room on the back for a homebuilt survival (and hunting) camper. I am going to build one if I can't find one--old Montanan and NRA Endowment member -- George

 

[98rammer]

yep, longbed. short bed just doesn't have the room to haul stuff. and since i always park a little ways away from the crowd, i don't care how long it is. heck, longer (bigger) is better!

 

[John Berger]

Go with the longbed. I like both, but the long bed is much better for towing a fifth wheel. You get more clearance from the cab in tight turns, plus more cargo room in the bed and extra weight for stability when towing, especially in windy conditions.

 

[jsimpson]

I use a 4WD 4 door Tundra V-8 automatic Limited shortbed for my luxury car and a 3500 long bed RAM Cummins 5 speed for my truck. They both do their jobs extremely well!