Tacoma Shortbed to Longbed Conversion Possibility?

Cascadia

Cascadia

Undecided
Location
Orem, Utah
So I have a 2003 4 door Tacoma. It's obviously a shortbed. I'm wondering if it's a possibility to convert my truck to a longbed. I know there will have to be some custom stuff done but I don't know exactly what. I want to use a stock bed from an extended cab. I don't wheel my truck a to so wheelbase isn't an issue.

A few reasons I want a long bed are for work. I frame homes and you can fit a lot more tools and lumber in a longbed. I also want a longbed for camping. I am 6'1" and the shortbed doesn't cut it.

Any thoughts on what would need to be done? Suspension moved back, driveshaft lengthened, different bed, what else?
 
I'd think that finding a bed that would work would be the hard part. After that it's a matter of removing the old bed and finding a good place to cut the frame for an extension piece. If the bed works right, you would not have to touch the suspension, but just lengthen ds, wires, and lines.

Have you thought about a nice looking custom flat bed?
 
If it's anything like the Dodge Megacab longbed conversions, you'll need to extend the frame. (rather than just move the suspension) So frame mods, fuel lines, wiring, driveshaft....and probably body mounts? (bed mounts)

Also, isn't there a recess in the back of the cab for the wheelwell? That might look weird with a "normal" bed on there. :confused:
 
I think you are right on the money... There is a place down the street from my old house that would strech the Mega Cab Cummins into a long bed and all they seemed to do was stretch the frame with a bracket strectch the driveshaft and hoses fuel line etc and bolt the new long bed to the truck. There turn around wasn't more than a couple of day's so I doubt its to hard.
 
I Lean said:
Also, isn't there a recess in the back of the cab for the wheelwell? That might look weird with a "normal" bed on there. :confused:
Click to expand...

(*yes, quoting myself)

I looked on the intardnet for some pics, and apparently the recess in the cab existed only in my imagination. Maybe some other brand o'truck had it? :confused: Dunno, but either way it doesn't seem to be a concern.
 
I think I'd rather move the suspension back to match the extended cab wheel well. I wouldn't want a bed hanging 5 feet past my tire on a small truck like a Tacoma. I think it would look pretty goofy. But with the axle moved back I think it would look proportional. So like has been said 19 times, I'll have to most likely extend the frame. I just haven't been around an ex cab or have one available for measurements.
 
Checked Toyota's page and it looks like a Double Cab is 60" and Regular cab is 73.5" so you gain about a foot. I guess there is part of me asking why would you want to do this for a foot of bed?
 
Because I don't fit in a 5 foot bed for when we want to go camping. Especially since we have a tiny little boy and i'd feel safer with him in there than the tent. And also because I am a framing contractor. I can fit a lot more tools in that foot, and it is also a lot easier to drive around with 6 feet of lumber in the bed than 5 feet. I would have gotten an ex cab but I need the 4 doors.
 
I don't think it would be that hard, even easier if you found the rear frame section with the new bed. Wires, lines, ds, frame, bed, etc. I say go for it!
 
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