here are plenty of “trigger” topics in the world of classic trucks, but the one that seems to always raise the most controversy is the act of converting longbeds to shortbeds. And though I totally understand and empathize with the longbed lovers, I think some numbers need to be put out there to (hopefully) put things in a different and (hopefully) better perspective.

Based on my research, much of which comes from the wonderful 67-72ChevyTrucks.com forum, GM’s production numbers paint a rather interesting picture. Kicking off the second-gen C10 era in 1967, there were less than 44,000 SWB Fleetsides produced (with an additional 45,000 and change Stepsides!). However, for the first-year longbed Fleetside, consumers had a whopping 166,000 options to choose from, with another 20,000 long-steps available! Now, I won’t break down the production numbers for the remaining five years of C10 productions, but let’s just say, overall, we, the truck-buying public, were offered just under 1.5 million longbeds (both Fleetside and Stepside), while there were only 480,000 shortbeds (both varieties) available. That’s but a third if my math is correct!

Now, I don’t have any data available when it comes to the “survival rate” of ’67-72 C10s, but I will say with utmost confidence there are way more longbeds still around to this day than there are shortbeds! So, when I hear people bitch and whine about “another longbed being ruined” (insert violin emoji!) … find something better to complain about, people! I truly believe that one of the best products to ever hit the market for classic trucks are the LWB-SWB shortening kits, hands down. I can’t wait till someone offers one for the OBS because there are just as many willing ’88-98 long’uns waiting to go under the knife!

Now, if the numbers were the other way around, and we were on the verge of extinction with ’67-72 C10s, then I’d definitely change my tune. Besides, there are more than enough orphaned stock LWB chassis lying around—with the availability of new aftermarket longbed Fleetside bed components, there’s nothing stopping people from initiating a “Longbed Revival” campaign!

In all honesty, I love ’em short and long—I’ve owned more than a fair share of longbeds (’64, ’72, and a ’90) that I never had any intentions of chopping down … they were purchased specifically for their LWB feature. I do, however, love stirring the pot when it comes to all the complaints, and have no intention of letting up!