stepside sheetmetal

[landarts]

Does anyone know if the 73 stepside sheetmetal ( bedsides, tailgate ) are interchangeable with the 67-72 stepsides.

[Agent915]

I think the tailgates will interchange up through the 87 year model.

Danny

[Shane]

bed sides are same 55-87 as well ... fender mounting hole location does vary though

[bobs409]

Rear stake pockets are the same and I think the front bed panel is.

The top of the bed sides are the same too, I used a pair from an 86 to repair my 69.

[bigsnookmaster]

Originally Posted by Shane

bed sides are same 55-87 as well ... fender mounting hole location does vary though

The bedsides are different where the front steps mount on. The 73 and up steps are taller, and sit up higher in the bed. With a little fab work, it could be modified to fit. I used Mar-K, and they are to factory specs. They are very nice pieces, a bit pricey, but for what you save in body work, I think they are well worth it. The only thing I had to do, was put a reinforcement in the rear stake pocket for the taillight mounting. .02

[lakeroadster]

Mar-K has an excellent summary of Bed Side Interchangeability on their website: http://mar-k.com/bed_side_interchange_gm.html

1967-1972 Short Bed

1. Bed side sheet metal is similar to previous years but the fender and step are changed as well as the angle strip bolt pattern. Other minor changes include the slightly larger bed side curl diameter and tail light mounting holes on the rear stake pockets.
2. The fender design changed for 1967 which changed the fender bolt pattern in the bed sides. 1968 and later fenders have side marker lights
3. The rear sill mounting brackets are about 4" long and 2 1/8" tall, 31 3/4" apart.
4. There are three cross sills and one reinforcing strip supporting the bed wood. The cross sills have a similar hole pattern as the 63-66 series but do not have the 1" spacer welded on the mounting hole locations. These cross sills could be used for the 63-66 application but would need to have the spacers welded to fit properly.
5. There are 7 bed strips and 8 boards. The bedwood boards have the same length and widths as the 63-66 series. The bed to frame bolt locations is different than the 63-66 trucks and the angle strip bolt pattern is also changed.
6. Bed strip and angle strip hole locations are different than the 63-66 series so these are not interchangeable.

1973-1987 Short Bed

1. Bed side sheet metal is similar to previous years but the fender and step are changed as well as the angle strip bolt pattern. The bed side is shaped different than previous years in the area where the step attaches. Other minor changes include wiring loom holes in the bed sides below the wood in the rear area. Bed sides from this series will not work with previous years parts.
2. The fender design changed for 1973 which changed the fender bolt pattern in the bed sides. There are several minor fender design changes from year to year in the 73-87 series regarding the gas filler door. Be aware of these differences when attempting to interchange beds within this year series.
3. The rear sill mounting brackets are about 3" long and 2 1/8" tall, 31 1/4" apart.
4. There are three cross sills and two reinforcing strips supporting the bed wood. The cross sill and reinforcing strip patterns are different from all others so they are not interchangeable with other year series.
5. There are 6 bed strips and 7 boards. The bedwood boards have the same length as the previous years but the widths and mounting bolt patterns are different making them difficult to interchange.
6. Bed strip and angle strip hole locations are different than all previous years so these are not interchangeable. 73 -87 angle strips have their bolts welded into the angle strips holes. Replacement of the bolts is difficult. Removing the boards from under the angle strip is not possible without ruining the board or totally separating the bedside, front bed panel, and rear sill.

[674x4ton]

To bad mar-k don't made 9 foot bed sides.9 foot step side beds are hard to find.And if you found one they are not in the best of shape.