Fleetside or Stepside? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

'72 Chevy Suburban · 03-12-2005, 10:46 AM

When I bought my Shrotbed '77 K10, it had a '90 Stepside bed on it and I couldn't decide if I liked the look or not. Here is a picture:
'77 K10 Truck

I have now decided to put a correct looking bed on it and in the past, and I have always favored the stepside beds. I am open to suggestions and opinions. Aesthetics are everything, practicality is much lower down on the priority list. (Brad will point out that this is why I have a short bed anyway!)

So, what does everyone think? Any pictures that might help sway me in one direction or another? Especially black 4x4s.

Are there any differences in the beds from 73-87 that I should be aware of?

Anyone have a bed for sale near Cincinnati?

Thanks,

**old Rusty C10** · 03-12-2005, 11:08 AM

while its always a matter of taste i much prefer the stepside beds on a short wheel base truck to me the wide side looks best on a long wheel base

phantom dually · 03-12-2005, 11:36 AM

I think it would look better with the correct factory bed on it.

**lolife99** · 03-12-2005, 04:20 PM

I like the stepside beds,... but you can shove a bigger tire under a fleetside bed. Either way,... put the correct year on it.

87 STEPPER · 03-12-2005, 04:49 PM

I agree with putting the correct yr. bed back on her and as i am bias to the stepside style of bed the chioce is really up to you in the end.

But ponder this befor you decide how many fleet side bed trucks do you see at shows verses stepsides?

Alot of this hobby is about being differant and everyone has a fleetside! JMHO.

Good luck with your choice.

'72 Chevy Suburban · 03-12-2005, 11:04 PM

Yeah, I had pretty much decided that I would be going with a stepside bed, as this is the look that I am going for. I used to have a Black '77 K10 Stepside in '83 and really liked it. I saw a black SB Fleetside C10 last night that was about an '84 and it was a real attention-getter. Just wanted to get opinions.

Thanks,

cochran63 · 03-12-2005, 11:13 PM

IMO a fleetside is the only way to go. The 73-87 steps have always seemed a little awkward to me.

kevinr1970 · 03-13-2005, 12:05 AM

You know, that new style bed might fit a little better, looks wise, if you continued the trim strip(?) down the cab, door and front fender?
Are the bed and cab painted the same color? Looks like no from the picture.

ssx · 03-13-2005, 01:06 AM

I like the fleetside better better but that is just my opinion!

'72 Chevy Suburban · 03-13-2005, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevinr1970

You know, that new style bed might fit a little better, looks wise, if you continued the trim strip(?) down the cab, door and front fender?
Are the bed and cab painted the same color? Looks like no from the picture.

They are painted the same color, Kevin. Paint on the cab is just a little newer. I agree with you on the trim issue. I ended up removing thetrim on the bed to make it less noticeable, but it only looks a little better.

Thanks everyone...

71'tahoe · 03-15-2005, 07:42 PM

Hey 72',
I have a step side bedthat i might give you.The reason i say might is because it is off an 83' the rear doesnt have the marker lights and i think the fuel door is on the wrong side(left).I'm going to part with it.This truck was my first truck when i was 16,I switched it to a fleet side and then back to the step side.I know every one has fleets but i cant live with the fact that the step doesnt line up with the rocker panel.I replaced the wood floor about 5 years ago with oak.The oak is rough cut but i geuss if you had access to a planner then it could look good.let me know, i live east of cincinnati

Tom · 03-13-2005, 11:05 PM

Be like me and get both

I have a 78 short/step and a 79 short/fleet. The stepside one looks much meaner lowerd down then the fleetside, it looks more smooth.

'72 Chevy Suburban · 03-13-2005, 11:42 PM

Good idea! Do you have any pictures...?

**smokinn** · 03-13-2005, 11:47 PM

I think the step side looks better on lowered trucks and fleetside looks better on lifted. Just my 2 cents.

**Palf70Step** · 03-14-2005, 07:36 PM

I prefer the fleetside for these years trucks, but I will say that whoever put it on did a good job of it. I really don't think it looks that bad on your truck, but this is the first 4x4 I have seen with one. If you kept the later bed, the only change I would make is taking the chrome strips off.

stepside454 · 03-14-2005, 08:50 PM

personal preferance, I like both...either would look so much better than the 90 bed..... I think Id lean towads a fleet side on yours

Jonboy · 03-14-2005, 09:55 PM

yeah, that bed needs to go. Either way would look good, but I would try to go for a stepside bed. I like the wheels, too.

'72 Chevy Suburban · 03-14-2005, 10:17 PM

Yeah, I am definitely tired of this bed... I used to have a black '77 K10 Stepside many years ago and I really loved that truck. Subconsciously, I think that I am trying to recreate that truck.

I have decided to ditch the wheels too, Jonboy. I think that the slots makes it look too old-skool. I bough the ralley wheels from RonsK10 and I plan to blast them and powdercoat them argent silver. Or, should I coat them black?? Here is a Pontiac Ralley-II that I coated mirror gloss black a few years ago:

cochino12 · 03-14-2005, 10:41 PM

4*4= fleetside

2*4= either look great

Jonboy · 03-15-2005, 07:45 PM

If you were to polish the slot wheels, you might change your mind. If you are going to go with the rally wheels, I vote for silver. A black truck and wheels may be too much black.

'72 Chevy Suburban · 03-16-2005, 07:36 AM

'71... PM Sent

Jonboy... I agree, that polishing these wheels would make a big difference. I have run aluminum slots on various vehicles for the past 25 years and I think that I am just plain done with them. These will be available once the Ralleys are on the truck. I have a set of 5-lugs slots on the shelf that are polished, but haven't brought myself to install them on anything in the past 5 years. Maybe they ought to go too...

Thanks for the input,

03-12-2005, 10:46 AM	#1
'72 Chevy Suburban Chevy's Rock! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Lebanon, OH Posts: 448	Fleetside or Stepside? When I bought my Shrotbed '77 K10, it had a '90 Stepside bed on it and I couldn't decide if I liked the look or not. Here is a picture: '77 K10 Truck I have now decided to put a correct looking bed on it and in the past, and I have always favored the stepside beds. I am open to suggestions and opinions. Aesthetics are everything, practicality is much lower down on the priority list. (Brad will point out that this is why I have a short bed anyway!) So, what does everyone think? Any pictures that might help sway me in one direction or another? Especially black 4x4s. Are there any differences in the beds from 73-87 that I should be aware of? Anyone have a bed for sale near Cincinnati? Thanks, __________________ John '59 NAPCO Pickup '70 K10 Pickup 350 '72 C20 Suburban 350 (MIA) '57 Chieftain 455 '68 Firebird Convertible - 400 '68 Catalina Convertible - 400 '85 Vette

03-12-2005, 11:08 AM	#2
old Rusty C10 Robert Olson Transport Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: recent transplant to NC USA Posts: 20,310	while its always a matter of taste i much prefer the stepside beds on a short wheel base truck to me the wide side looks best on a long wheel base __________________ Bob 1951 International running on a squarebody chassis "If a man's worth is judged by the people he associates himself with, then i am the richest man in the world knowing some of the fine people of this board" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...t.php?f=25&a=9 (you can review the site rules here!) PM Me for your vehicle/parts hauling needs in the North East US or see my Facebook page Robert Olson Transport Live each day to the fullest.. you never know when fate is going to pull the rug out from under you... I hate cancer!!

03-12-2005, 11:36 AM	#3
phantom dually Project92 SWB stepside Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 4,792	I think it would look better with the correct factory bed on it. __________________ 92 C1500 stepside 496 Stroker Competiton Engineering Ladder bars/QA1 coilovers. Dana 60 rear with 4.10 gear and posi. Bonspeed Palisade 20x12 in rear w/335/30/20 and 20x8.5 front w/245/40/20. 5/8 drop with Belltech springs/DJM spindles/drop shocks. WWS Progress thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=140448

03-12-2005, 04:20 PM	#4
lolife99 67-72 parts collector,… Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Mid-MO Posts: 22,700	I like the stepside beds,... but you can shove a bigger tire under a fleetside bed. Either way,... put the correct year on it. __________________ Keith Convert to disc brakes. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444823

03-12-2005, 04:49 PM	#5
87 STEPPER STILL PLAYS WITH TRUX Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Melbourne, Fla. Posts: 2,764	I agree with putting the correct yr. bed back on her and as i am bias to the stepside style of bed the chioce is really up to you in the end. But ponder this befor you decide how many fleet side bed trucks do you see at shows verses stepsides? Alot of this hobby is about being differant and everyone has a fleetside! JMHO. Good luck with your choice. __________________ ~~Bruce~~ MY 87 STEPPER MY 99 2D/WD TAHOE

03-12-2005, 11:04 PM	#6
'72 Chevy Suburban Chevy's Rock! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Lebanon, OH Posts: 448	Yeah, I had pretty much decided that I would be going with a stepside bed, as this is the look that I am going for. I used to have a Black '77 K10 Stepside in '83 and really liked it. I saw a black SB Fleetside C10 last night that was about an '84 and it was a real attention-getter. Just wanted to get opinions. Thanks, __________________ John '59 NAPCO Pickup '70 K10 Pickup 350 '72 C20 Suburban 350 (MIA) '57 Chieftain 455 '68 Firebird Convertible - 400 '68 Catalina Convertible - 400 '85 Vette

03-12-2005, 11:13 PM	#7
cochran63 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 1,057	IMO a fleetside is the only way to go. The 73-87 steps have always seemed a little awkward to me. __________________ Youth soon passes away, but immaturity can last a life time.

03-13-2005, 12:05 AM	#8
kevinr1970 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Everett, WA Posts: 2,316	You know, that new style bed might fit a little better, looks wise, if you continued the trim strip(?) down the cab, door and front fender? Are the bed and cab painted the same color? Looks like no from the picture. __________________ 2009 Honda Fit CfC (bsf 44.9 mpg) 2000 Tahoe Limited 1991 GMC CrewCab Dually 2wd, will end up swb, not dually and replace CCswb below 1991 GMC CrewCab Dually 4x4, just going to fix things up for now 1982/1989 K5/GMC Jimmy 2wd 1987 GMC 1/2 ton swb 2wd Crew (sold)

03-13-2005, 01:06 AM	#9
ssx Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kailua Kona, Hawaii Posts: 53	I like the fleetside better better but that is just my opinion! __________________ 68' Camaro RS Protouring LT1/Minitub/4wdb/AC/17's 90' Crewcab Silverado 454/8"susp/38's

03-15-2005, 07:42 PM	#11
71'tahoe Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: lynchburg ohio Posts: 736	Hey 72', I have a step side bedthat i might give you.The reason i say might is because it is off an 83' the rear doesnt have the marker lights and i think the fuel door is on the wrong side(left).I'm going to part with it.This truck was my first truck when i was 16,I switched it to a fleet side and then back to the step side.I know every one has fleets but i cant live with the fact that the step doesnt line up with the rocker panel.I replaced the wood floor about 5 years ago with oak.The oak is rough cut but i geuss if you had access to a planner then it could look good.let me know, i live east of cincinnati

03-13-2005, 11:05 PM	#12
Tom driving is in my blood Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Mesa AZ Posts: 5,748	Be like me and get both I have a 78 short/step and a 79 short/fleet. The stepside one looks much meaner lowerd down then the fleetside, it looks more smooth. __________________ -78 c10 short/step: 388cid, M20, 5/5 drop, lots more. Playtoy and first vehicle. -98 c1500 x-cab: 5.7L, 17" rims, 5/6 drop, flowmaster, helper bags,NBS rear disk brakes. -02 Suburban 4x4: leveled front -CBR600F4i, CBR600RR, CBR1000RR, and standup skis DISCLAIMER: I cant spell for the life of me.

03-13-2005, 11:42 PM	#13
'72 Chevy Suburban Chevy's Rock! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Lebanon, OH Posts: 448	Good idea! Do you have any pictures...? __________________ John '59 NAPCO Pickup '70 K10 Pickup 350 '72 C20 Suburban 350 (MIA) '57 Chieftain 455 '68 Firebird Convertible - 400 '68 Catalina Convertible - 400 '85 Vette

03-13-2005, 11:47 PM	#14
smokinn Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: omaha,Ne Posts: 617	I think the step side looks better on lowered trucks and fleetside looks better on lifted. Just my 2 cents.

03-14-2005, 07:36 PM	#15
Palf70Step State of Confusion! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gulfport, MS USA Posts: 47,226	I prefer the fleetside for these years trucks, but I will say that whoever put it on did a good job of it. I really don't think it looks that bad on your truck, but this is the first 4x4 I have seen with one. If you kept the later bed, the only change I would make is taking the chrome strips off. __________________ Bill 1970 Chevy Custom/10 LWB Fleetside 2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab - DD Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Bill's Gallery Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God! Last edited by Palf70Step; 03-14-2005 at 07:39 PM.

03-14-2005, 08:50 PM	#16
stepside454 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: st. louis area Posts: 1,551	personal preferance, I like both...either would look so much better than the 90 bed..... I think Id lean towads a fleet side on yours __________________ 75 GMC C-15 short/step factory 454, lowered



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03-14-2005, 09:55 PM	#17
Jonboy Slots go on anything! Join Date: May 2003 Location: Richardson, TX Posts: 5,957	yeah, that bed needs to go. Either way would look good, but I would try to go for a stepside bed. I like the wheels, too. __________________ 1974 Jimmy- 5.3/4L80e/NP241

03-14-2005, 10:17 PM	#18
'72 Chevy Suburban Chevy's Rock! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Lebanon, OH Posts: 448	Yeah, I am definitely tired of this bed... I used to have a black '77 K10 Stepside many years ago and I really loved that truck. Subconsciously, I think that I am trying to recreate that truck. I have decided to ditch the wheels too, Jonboy. I think that the slots makes it look too old-skool. I bough the ralley wheels from RonsK10 and I plan to blast them and powdercoat them argent silver. Or, should I coat them black?? Here is a Pontiac Ralley-II that I coated mirror gloss black a few years ago: __________________ John '59 NAPCO Pickup '70 K10 Pickup 350 '72 C20 Suburban 350 (MIA) '57 Chieftain 455 '68 Firebird Convertible - 400 '68 Catalina Convertible - 400 '85 Vette Last edited by '72 Chevy Suburban; 03-14-2005 at 10:18 PM. Reason: grammar

03-14-2005, 10:41 PM	#19
cochino12 It followed me home? Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Yup Posts: 5,751	44= fleetside 24= either look great __________________ Adam That's why they call it a shortcut Kyle, if it was easy it would just be the way. 86 c-10 SWB 85 CCSB 90 GMC K30 Crew SRW 1985 C30 Dually

03-15-2005, 07:45 PM	#20
Jonboy Slots go on anything! Join Date: May 2003 Location: Richardson, TX Posts: 5,957	If you were to polish the slot wheels, you might change your mind. If you are going to go with the rally wheels, I vote for silver. A black truck and wheels may be too much black. __________________ 1974 Jimmy- 5.3/4L80e/NP241

03-16-2005, 07:36 AM	#21
'72 Chevy Suburban Chevy's Rock! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Lebanon, OH Posts: 448	'71... PM Sent Jonboy... I agree, that polishing these wheels would make a big difference. I have run aluminum slots on various vehicles for the past 25 years and I think that I am just plain done with them. These will be available once the Ralleys are on the truck. I have a set of 5-lugs slots on the shelf that are polished, but haven't brought myself to install them on anything in the past 5 years. Maybe they ought to go too... Thanks for the input, __________________ John '59 NAPCO Pickup '70 K10 Pickup 350 '72 C20 Suburban 350 (MIA) '57 Chieftain 455 '68 Firebird Convertible - 400 '68 Catalina Convertible - 400 '85 Vette

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