99' GMC Sierra RCSB conversion

[Bandit_T/A]

Hey all new member here I introduced myself a while back and just got the mechanical portion of my longbed to shortbed stepside conversion completed. I purchased a lightly wrecked 99' that was a great running truck everything worked just fine A/C, power windows, the whole bit. I told the wife I would flip it later, but for the time being I was going to drive it and enjoy the Icee cold A/C this summer while pulling the boat back and forth to the lake.

 

Here is what I bought.

I drove the truck no troubles and decided I would add some blacked out projector headlights and turn signals cause I think they look pretty tough on a black truck. I had to get a new radiator support since the old one was bent and picked up a new hood and fender. I haven't put the fender on yet since it didn't affect the fit up of the parts on the front.

I had been waiting to get some projects out of the way and collecting parts when I came across a Stepside shortbed with a fiberglass cover so cheap I had to ask the guy if it was hot. He said no BTW.

So lastweek I decided that Monday I was going to attempt to remove 19" from the frame of a perfectly good running truck and have my stepside shortbed. Monday came and bam like clockwork I was off to the races.

first off I removed the fuel tank, driveshaft, exhaust from the muffler back, and the center support tube

Then we leveled the chassis in the driveway taking the weight of the off the tires by using jack stands and any shims necessary to get perfect level left to righ front to back.

[Bandit_T/A]

I cut the chassis at the weld joint between the rear and mid section after I was happy with the chassis placement.

After that the work that was done was a blurr and I don't have any pictures of the process of rejoining the rear to the front. I had to find a different tank as the one I bought earlier ended up being the wrong type for my fuel pump. luckily I found the correct fuel tank later Tuesday and while I was waiting for a guy at the JY to pull it the driveshaft shop cut my old shaft and had it ready for my return trip to home. I didn't do any work on the truck Wednesday this morning I transferred my fuel from the original tank over to truck and buttoned up a few loose ends so I could drop the bed on and then I drove it to work this afternoon.

[gmtech117]

Now that looks like a fun build!

[Daryl LBZ]

Nice! Love the stepside bed.

[Tattooo]

Man....great job....that is cool you did all that by yourself [emoji106] [emoji106]

[Bandit_T/A]

It was almost to easy. I had looked at some of the other long to short conversions and took a couple months to plan it out. I did have a extra hand the first two days to help with moving parts around and stuff. The last couple of frame jobs involved swaping a solid axle in my Bronco so I have the tools and such to make the job pretty easy considering what had to be done.

 

I am thinking about lowering the rear a little to level the truck out for a better stance. I have quite a few projects on my plate the truck just happens to be a DD for me at the moment. I post some pics up after I get it all one color again maybe sitting next to my 78 T/A. I'm going to try and paint them both the same week since the color will all come from the same mix. Thanks for the compliments