86 lowered short fleet to step questions.... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

locab36 · 01-09-2009, 04:44 PM

I'm finally gonna get my truck painted. I found a shop that will paint for a reasonable price and I remove everything, bumpers/grille/handles ect.. I really want to have a step side and found a southern bed w/zero rust fairly local. Went to look @ it and its premo shape. I believe its a 81 to 87 series. Don't know how to tell? Has the square taillights.

Question, will I need to drill new holes for the step bed mounting bolts to the frame? I have dual tanks and so does the step bed. The rubbers from the gas pipes to the tanks are gone, Drivers pipe is gone too. Any help from others that have made the swap is helpful.

Question, I lowered the rear w/drop spring hangers and shackels. Will a stepside bed have any issues w/my new spring locations? I had to cut the one crossmember on my fleet side for the shackle travel. I've seen lowered stepsides on here but didn't know if they have been modified.

Thanks

John

87c10slammer · 01-09-2009, 04:49 PM

from what i have researched it is a direct swap... the frames are the same and so on... i didnt look ino the tanks though... but if thats the bigests problem it wouldnt stop me from doing it... and you should have to do the same thing for the shakle clearance as on your fleetside.

68c10owner · 01-09-2009, 07:44 PM

I don`t know what the first year for the doors were but my 84 has doors for the gas filler. The earlier beds don`t.

flamingbig10 · 01-09-2009, 08:32 PM

79-87 beds have gas doors

locab36 · 01-09-2009, 08:38 PM

I put money down on it and will pick it up in the next week or so. It has doors so its the 79 to 87 model I guess. I have the filler neck for the passenger tank but missing the filler neck for drivers. I imagine that the driver side would be easier to find.

I've been looking @ pics and don't believe I'll have clearance issues. Does the stepside bed have a crossmember in the way of the drop shackle?

John

toomanytoyz · 01-09-2009, 10:05 PM

here are Pics of a 81 Stepper Bed & How they Hacked the rear crossmember for Clearance.............

Rick

locab36 · 01-09-2009, 10:19 PM

Ouch! I don't mind cutting the crossmember as there is another @ the rear supporting the weight, correct? I don't plan on hauling 1000#'s or anything but don't want the bed to sag down either.

John

Also found some good links on rubber filler neck hoses.

http://www.goodyearep.com/ProductsDetail.aspx?id=10414

toomanytoyz · 01-09-2009, 10:37 PM

You are Right, The very rear of the Bed will set on the Frame where marked with the Red & Is Bolted Down There................

It looks as if they just used a Torch to Hack away at that crossmember for clearance.............

Rick

84 400 · 01-09-2009, 10:43 PM

The earlier beds also had the rear marker lights (red) in the fenders.

locab36 · 01-10-2009, 12:12 AM

This is the bed I'm going to buy. I've seen the marker in fender stepsides but thought those were on the longbed stepsides.

John

locab36 · 01-10-2009, 12:15 AM

try this

killthewabbit · 01-10-2009, 02:34 AM

That is definitely the right year range for yours. Mine's a 78 and I have a gas filler with no doors and I have the red marker lights behind the rear wheels on the fenders.

01-09-2009, 04:44 PM	#1
locab36 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Midland, MI Posts: 265	86 lowered short fleet to step questions.... I'm finally gonna get my truck painted. I found a shop that will paint for a reasonable price and I remove everything, bumpers/grille/handles ect.. I really want to have a step side and found a southern bed w/zero rust fairly local. Went to look @ it and its premo shape. I believe its a 81 to 87 series. Don't know how to tell? Has the square taillights. Question, will I need to drill new holes for the step bed mounting bolts to the frame? I have dual tanks and so does the step bed. The rubbers from the gas pipes to the tanks are gone, Drivers pipe is gone too. Any help from others that have made the swap is helpful. Question, I lowered the rear w/drop spring hangers and shackels. Will a stepside bed have any issues w/my new spring locations? I had to cut the one crossmember on my fleet side for the shackle travel. I've seen lowered stepsides on here but didn't know if they have been modified. Thanks John __________________ Locab36 1936 low cab 1/2 ton 1956 BMW R25/3 1968 Moto Guzzi V7 1969 BMW R100/2 1986 Silverado SWB 2007 Harley FLHTP 2011 GMC SWB 4x4 Z71 http://www.flickr.com/photos/locab36...7623329816080/

01-09-2009, 04:49 PM	#2
87c10slammer truck addict Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: levittown pa Posts: 154	Re: 86 lowered short fleet to step questions.... from what i have researched it is a direct swap... the frames are the same and so on... i didnt look ino the tanks though... but if thats the bigests problem it wouldnt stop me from doing it... and you should have to do the same thing for the shakle clearance as on your fleetside. Last edited by 87c10slammer; 01-09-2009 at 04:50 PM.

01-09-2009, 07:44 PM	#3
68c10owner Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Carmichael, California Posts: 3,005	Re: 86 lowered short fleet to step questions.... I don`t know what the first year for the doors were but my 84 has doors for the gas filler. The earlier beds don`t. __________________ Anthony

01-09-2009, 08:32 PM	#4
flamingbig10 6.0 powered square Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Mesquite texas Posts: 3,459	Re: 86 lowered short fleet to step questions.... 79-87 beds have gas doors __________________ Aaron 1980 c-10 short bed lowered, cammed 6.0, 4l80e 3600 stall, smp tune, wilwoods, and flames best time so far best et 7.86 @87 on motor 7.57 90 on a 75 shot Build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=283326

01-09-2009, 08:38 PM	#5
locab36 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Midland, MI Posts: 265	Re: 86 lowered short fleet to step questions.... I put money down on it and will pick it up in the next week or so. It has doors so its the 79 to 87 model I guess. I have the filler neck for the passenger tank but missing the filler neck for drivers. I imagine that the driver side would be easier to find. I've been looking @ pics and don't believe I'll have clearance issues. Does the stepside bed have a crossmember in the way of the drop shackle? John __________________ Locab36 1936 low cab 1/2 ton 1956 BMW R25/3 1968 Moto Guzzi V7 1969 BMW R100/2 1986 Silverado SWB 2007 Harley FLHTP 2011 GMC SWB 4x4 Z71 http://www.flickr.com/photos/locab36...7623329816080/

01-09-2009, 10:05 PM	#6
toomanytoyz Luv the Crewcabs Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Andrews, In. 46702 Posts: 4,097	Re: 86 lowered short fleet to step questions.... here are Pics of a 81 Stepper Bed & How they Hacked the rear crossmember for Clearance............. Rick Attached Images __________________ 55 Nomad 52 Willys Truck 67 Stepper 67 Fleet 68 Wrecker 68 Suburban 76 Crewcab 79 Gmc Dumptruck 84 Blazer 86 Crewcab Stepside 87 Iroc 89 GMC Plow Truck 91 Camaro Vert 96 Z71 Stepsde

01-09-2009, 10:19 PM	#7
locab36 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Midland, MI Posts: 265	Re: 86 lowered short fleet to step questions.... Ouch! I don't mind cutting the crossmember as there is another @ the rear supporting the weight, correct? I don't plan on hauling 1000#'s or anything but don't want the bed to sag down either. John Also found some good links on rubber filler neck hoses. http://www.goodyearep.com/ProductsDetail.aspx?id=10414 __________________ Locab36 1936 low cab 1/2 ton 1956 BMW R25/3 1968 Moto Guzzi V7 1969 BMW R100/2 1986 Silverado SWB 2007 Harley FLHTP 2011 GMC SWB 4x4 Z71 http://www.flickr.com/photos/locab36...7623329816080/

01-09-2009, 10:37 PM	#8
toomanytoyz Luv the Crewcabs Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Andrews, In. 46702 Posts: 4,097	Re: 86 lowered short fleet to step questions.... You are Right, The very rear of the Bed will set on the Frame where marked with the Red & Is Bolted Down There................ It looks as if they just used a Torch to Hack away at that crossmember for clearance............. Rick Attached Images __________________ 55 Nomad 52 Willys Truck 67 Stepper 67 Fleet 68 Wrecker 68 Suburban 76 Crewcab 79 Gmc Dumptruck 84 Blazer 86 Crewcab Stepside 87 Iroc 89 GMC Plow Truck 91 Camaro Vert 96 Z71 Stepsde

01-09-2009, 10:43 PM	#9
84 400 Sb 400 club Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: NH / MA Posts: 2,746	Re: 86 lowered short fleet to step questions.... The earlier beds also had the rear marker lights (red) in the fenders. __________________ 1984 chevy c10, built 400sb,.(SOLD) 77 K10 Project / daily driver "The Grinch" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=318363 1956 Willys Wagon (327 chevy) Project (Now Buick 225) 1980 Corvette L-48 4 speed 1992 Mustang GT built 5.0 5 speed 1985 C10 LWB Sold 1982 K10 SWB plow truck Parted out 1986 D30 M1028 fire brush truck Parted out

01-10-2009, 12:12 AM	#10
locab36 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Midland, MI Posts: 265	Re: 86 lowered short fleet to step questions.... This is the bed I'm going to buy. I've seen the marker in fender stepsides but thought those were on the longbed stepsides. John __________________ Locab36 1936 low cab 1/2 ton 1956 BMW R25/3 1968 Moto Guzzi V7 1969 BMW R100/2 1986 Silverado SWB 2007 Harley FLHTP 2011 GMC SWB 4x4 Z71 http://www.flickr.com/photos/locab36...7623329816080/

01-10-2009, 12:15 AM	#11
locab36 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Midland, MI Posts: 265	Re: 86 lowered short fleet to step questions.... try this Attached Images __________________ Locab36 1936 low cab 1/2 ton 1956 BMW R25/3 1968 Moto Guzzi V7 1969 BMW R100/2 1986 Silverado SWB 2007 Harley FLHTP 2011 GMC SWB 4x4 Z71 http://www.flickr.com/photos/locab36...7623329816080/

01-10-2009, 02:34 AM	#12
killthewabbit Spear and magic helmet! Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 1,226	Re: 86 lowered short fleet to step questions.... That is definitely the right year range for yours. Mine's a 78 and I have a gas filler with no doors and I have the red marker lights behind the rear wheels on the fenders. __________________ -- Will



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