New truck for a New member

[ajskinne]

So, my fiance Loves old chevys. right now she is driving a neon and hates it. She steals my truck whenever she can.... SOOO for a wedding present I've been looking around and found this guy CHEAP. It's a running and driving 292 four speed 1965 c20. Power steering, and power brakes.

Right now I'm hiding it at a buddy's house where he is doing body work, (so it doesn't look like one of my hack jobs.)

So I have been flashing random trucks at her every now and then, and I have picked up that she wants a stepside and she wants it baby blue. Can anyone offer any help with where to find a stepside longbed? And anyone have any pics of a stepside longbed, I have had some trouble finding any.

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink


https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink


https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink

[jocko]

Holy cow, I'll marry you... Ok, maybe not - but that's some wedding gift, beats the heck out of a ring! But something tells me you're probably on the hook for that too. That's how it goes - but she sounds like a keeper. As does the spousal unit. She got any sisters?!

Here's a long step on ebay (for pics of what they look like anyway). http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1965-...6b582d54#v4-38

Here's another http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1966-...item33707c6eaf

most long-steps were 3/4 ton, as is yoru truck, so that's a benny.

I have to admit that it's (long step) not my "fave" when it comes to these trucks' available body styles. I don't want to offend, but to me, it's kinda like a giraffe with short legs, or a dachshund with long ones, I'm not sure which. But some folks really like JUST that body style - so it's only a matter of opinion - and that was just mine - worth absolute zippo. I'm not certain what problems you might run into when swapping a long step onto a long fleetside chassis - it "should" work just fine because the chassis is the same - I'd say the challenge would be making sure you get all the nit-noids of the stepside when you get it - i.e. tail lights, wiring sockets, bulbs, etc to make the transition easier. I'm just spit-ballin here, but if yer ballnchain2b is cool with it - might just let her have it as a fleetside first and see if it grows on her... Either way, you're a hero in her eyes (and all of ours!)

[ajskinne]

Thanks for the advise on all the parts with the bed. I had not even thought of that. Also the problem with giving her the truck as a fleetside and "just see" is she is getting it after its finished, and I sure as hell don't want to finish a fleetside and then ALSO finish a stepside. LoL. Looks like I've found one for $300-$500 (step bed). Also, I do agree on the look, but I couldn't touch a shortbed for the price of this truck. Got it in driving condition for $1500, so I'm not complaining to much. PLUS the problem I have that I haven't seen many is also a benefit because it will not be a common truck out there. I have seen very few short stepsides in my area (southern Indiana) and absolutely no long stepsides. So at least we will know it's her when we see it. LoL

Also does anyone know about switching to a 15" wheel on these? It's got 16" 8 lug wheels as of now. would that just be too much to ask?

[markeb01]

Welcome to the forum. Future wife certainly sounds like a keeper. Here are a few long step photos:

[ajskinne]

hmm, can't say i dislike the long step side. I guesse we will see.

[DanSan c 10]

Welcome to the forum. Sounds like a great adventure. Keep us in the loop.

[Captainfab]

Welcome to the forum

I would stay with the 16" wheels, but upgrade to some newer non-split rims if that is what you have. The reason I say that, is if later on you decide to upgrade to disc brakes, the 15" 8 hole wheels don't fit disc brakes without grinding the crap out of the calipers.

[likaroc13]

very cool story, and i can feel the excitement brewing!

[jocko]

ok, after looking at the photos mark posted - the whole long-stepper world is kinda growing on me... I especially like that red gmc and the red 63 chevy.

aj, NOW I understand you're giving her a finished truck up front -so you bet, get that new bed on there now. Wow, what a great present!

[T2vigil]

FYI If you are looking to use a spare tire cut out fender there are differences between the short and long wheelbase. The good news is the short fender will work but in my opinion will look odd on the long wheelbase bed.