Long beds vs short beds

[NM5K]

The bed on my 68 is actually about 7 feet long.. It's a utility bed, and slightly shorter than a full
8 foot bed. The frame was trimmed a bit off the back.. Which could cause problems if I ever decided
to put a normal 8 ft bed on it.. So I'm probably stuck with the ute bed.. But I still have my 74 dent
with the regular 8 ft bed if I really needed the length.

[Ranchero50]

After running around in my extended frame flat bed I'd prefer a short bed.

Strapping everything becomes a PITA when the straps are frozen.

However, loading firewood in anything with sides is a PITA as well.

11' bed makes getting 12' + lengths of lumber easier.

[Insane 1]

Long beds are for the people that can't afford a short bed......

[wndsofchng06]

I love having a long bed, since I use mine as a work truck! Also, due to being less popular, they are cheaper to buy!

[ultraranger]

I have a short bed just because I prefer the look of a short bed. I didn't buy my truck for utility purposes. I bought it to eventually make a nice cruiser out of it.

This wasn't long after I bought it and it didn't have a rear bumper then but, if I needed to haul something long with it, well, that's what they make trailers for.

[elgemcdlf]

Long beds are for the people that can't afford a short bed......

That's just plain mean. I have a SWB because it is my preference. I have seen plenty of LWB trucks worth way more than mine. I understand SWB trucks are more up front but both make sweet looking trucks when finished.

[elgemcdlf]

I have a short bed just because I prefer the look of a short bed. I didn't buy my truck for utility purposes. I bought it to eventually make a n
cruiser out of it.

This wasn't long after I bought it and it didn't have a rear bumper then but, if I needed to haul something long with it, well, that's what they make trailers for.

Steve I can no longer (being of good conscience) allow you to degrade yourself with such an ugly truck. Being the wonderful man I am I am willing to pay shipping to have that truck sent to me so you will no longer be embarrassed to be seen in it. Limited time offer. After that you will have to pay me.

[chicof100]

My main truck is a 64 long bed. I've had three bumps but can't seem to hang onto them. I sell them before I can even get pictures of them.
The long bed is the way to go. Full sheets of plywood lay nicely with the tailgate closed. Plenty of space to haul whatever you need.
I had a couple of bikers come up to me at the Temecula Rod Run and commented that the long bed is whats needed to haul a harley when it breaks down. One of them said that every club has a long bed in their arsenal.

F100 Western National 2013 001.JPG

[ultraranger]

I have a short bed just because I prefer the look of a short bed. I didn't buy my truck for utility purposes. I bought it to eventually make a nice cruiser out of it.

This wasn't long after I bought it and it didn't have a rear bumper then but, if I needed to haul something long with it, well, that's what they make trailers for.

Steve I can no longer (being of good conscience) allow you to degrade yourself with such an ugly truck. Being the wonderful man I am I am willing to pay shipping to have that truck sent to me so you will no longer be embarrassed to be seen in it. Limited time offer. After that you will have to pay me.

Yeah, it's an ugly beast but, I'll just have to bear the shame of calling it mine.

However, if it follows the story line of "The Ugly Duckling," it will eventually be a beautiful 'swan.'

[Jacksdad]

After running around in my extended frame flat bed I'd prefer a short bed.

Strapping everything becomes a PITA when the straps are frozen.

However, loading firewood in anything with sides is a PITA as well.

11' bed makes getting 12' + lengths of lumber easier.

11" is in the ball park for a flat bed/stake bed I'm contemplating for my F350. I saw the thread detailing Lou's build, and I was wondering what your wheelbase is? I was originally going to go with a LWB bed and make some dually fenders fit, but it turns out my w/b is 159" so that nixed that idea. Don't feel like welding two beds together (although it would make one hell of a truck...). From the pics I've seen, your chassis looks to be about the same length.

[flyboy2610]

It all comes down to what YOU want to do with YOUR truck. If you want to build a hot rod cruiser, a short bed would be the way to go. If you want your truck to to do real honest-to-goodness truck work, get the long bed.
Whatever floats your boat.

[Ranchero50]

11' is in the ball park for a flat bed/stake bed I'm contemplating for my F350. I saw the thread detailing Lou's build, and I was wondering what your wheelbase is? I was originally going to go with a LWB bed and make some dually fenders fit, but it turns out my w/b is 159" so that nixed that idea. Don't feel like welding two beds together (although it would make one hell of a truck...). From the pics I've seen, your chassis looks to be about the same length.

I like it. I built mine to tilt (almost dump, ) and the short overhang allows me to hitch easily and keeps the overall length almost manageable. This truck is not meant for normal parking lots or tight turning areas. Actually it sucks in close quarters. Three point turn in five or seven go's.

[70short4x4]

LMAO at all of the "I have a long bed because I use it for real truck stuff" comments. Give me a break. I guarantee my 01 F350 with 6.5 ft bed has done way more work than 95% of the long bed bumps in here. The "real trucks have long beds" bs annoys me if you can't tell Short bed bumps just simply look better if you ask me. More proportionate. Long beds look like boats if they aren't lifted. I do like lifted long beds (I'm not a complete long bed hater I grew up in a 72 long bed bump). My shortbed can do anything your long bed can do...but just looks better doing it

[1972hiboy]

Well since this is a opinion thread ill throw my in. I grew up surrounded by bumps. My dad had a 69 f250 and my uncle still has his 70 f250 CS. Both were used for work. my dad did firewood and my uncle did appliances. so the trucks were worked hard, it was essential to have a 8ft bed and the larger brakes. plus for trips to the dirtbike park we could fit the bikes and gear in the back and still close the tailgate. handy. So it comes down to what you plan on using the truck for. Short beds in these years only came in a half ton so thats a lighter chassis and brakes( unless a f250 crewcab). Which is fine for light work and normal driving. For more agressive loads and work the f250/f350 are much more appropriate. Sure you can load down your 1/2 ton with 1 ton worth of stuff but can you stop it?

[jeffery2304]

I do understand the desire for the short bed for street performance, but for me, the ratio between the cab and front section looks out of balance with the short bed.

Are they long beds or standard beds?

This comment has always been mine to.. has anyone taken a measurement of the bed to cab length. the short beds have always looked odd to me because the bed,even if it isnt has always looked shorter than the cab. out of balance is how it looks to me to.