Stepside bed differences.

[sams60gmc]

So I've got a line on 2 73 and up stepside beds for a good deal. I really want to shorten my frame and all that. So my question is what are the differences between the 60-66 and the 73-up stepside beds besides the fenders wich I will change to the 60s style. Thanks guys.

[markeb01]

From a cosmetic standpoint it appears the front stake pockets are a couple of inches shorter to accommodate the different step design. I'd like to see more of these fenders on our trucks, to me they fit the cab better. Here's a picture of the first truck I'd seen with the swap, back in the late 70's or early 80's. It was a former show truck laden with chrome, and was very striking in person. It looked much better than the photo shows.

[jonzcustomshop]

at one point on here I saw a great break down of all the different step beds 55-66 and up, I wish I had saved it.
I do remember that the 60-62's had some different cross sills to account for the X frame.

I also remember diferent amounts of bed strips and bed wood.

my lmc catalog shows the same part # for 60-66 short step bed side, but has the long step broken up as 60-62, and 63 - 66
I think mar-k is a site vendor here, and they arre the ones that reproduce the bedsides and talgates, wood ,ect.. they would probably be the best ones to ask.

[TwoFiftyShifter]

The beds are the same as far as I know, they will bolt up fine, there may be slight differences in the box itself, its almost identical and can be swapped, no problem.

[sams60gmc]

Originally Posted by markeb01

From a cosmetic standpoint it appears the front stake pockets are a couple of inches shorter to accommodate the different step design. I'd like to see more of these fenders on our trucks, to me they fit the cab better. Here's a picture of the first truck I'd seen with the swap, back in the late 70's or early 80's. It was a former show truck laden with chrome, and was very striking in person. It looked much better than the photo shows.

I think they look pretty good too and I'll run them until I can find the 60s style. Anyways I'm sure there is a write up on here about going from long to short bed so I'll do some searching and hopefully get a bed. Thanks guys.