Probably Been Asked Before..But I Have To Hurry

[magwakeenercew2jh]

I'm building the '68/'71 C10 short bed, Fleet using the 71 frame.

I've got the opportunity to pick up a stepper bed if I move fast. But I don't know the year of the bed. So, I'd like to know what years (besides 67-72, of course) stepper beds fit on our frames,
if any, as a direct fit. Then, if I can, I'll try to figure out what year the bed is before I jump to the head of the line.

I'm keeping the Fleetside bed. But I'm in the middle of body work, so it would be nice to have the stepper bed to work on at the same time...use the same paint, etc. I'm really in love with step sides.

But I need to know if this one would be a fabrication nightmare, or a direct fit. And, if anyone knows any tricks on how to identify the year of the bed, I'd really appreciate the advice.
The guy is "selling it for a friend", so he's not going to be any help.

The Fleet bed is in decent shape. And, I know that Fleetsides are more popular. I had a nice one. But I can't make up my mind. Thanks.

Here's my current bed:

[slomotion]

Sadly, I can't help you with your question, but I have often thought about having two beds, one fleet, one stepper, and two sets of wheels for one swb truck. You could change up the looks, and attitude in just a couple of hours with a few bolts, and a wiring harness plug. Almost like having two trucks. I can't imagine the mounts being that much different.

[CC69Rat]

Be careful with your wheels, you can't get as much tire under a stepside fender. I'm running 255/45/20 on the rear with a 4.75 BS. I wanted ZERO rubbing or clearance problems so I could tuck the wheels up into the fenders. I'm about 3/8" from both sides (edge of the tire to the bedside / to the edge of the fender lip) I understand you can run more with a little trimming but I just didn't want to cut and possibly weaken my fenders' rigidity in that area. Keith runs 265/40/22 on the rear on a 22x9 with 5" BS but he had to trim the wheel lips a little. I understand most people run 295/40/20 on a 20x10 on the Fleets.

Hope this helps.

[magwakeenercew2jh]

Thanks. Great info.

I'll be running 275/45/20's in the back with that paltry 3.25" BS that Boss gives (used to give?) on their 20's. I've got a little wiggle room,
since I spaced them w/1" spacers back there to get closer to the outside of the fender (wheel well).

Great tip. I appreciate it.

Would love to hear from a bed switch pro, too. I need to buy this bed or lose it ....very soon.

[KevsClassics]

Hey Bill, That bed will bolt right on the frame no mods needed

[Bert W]

To borrow from Mopar, it's a direct connection. Bolts right up.

[68gmsee]

Since you don't know the year of the stepside bed, I think I'd do some measuring of the mounting bolts on your bed and then compare on the stepside bed you're looking at.

[magwakeenercew2jh]

Kev and Bert and 68gmsee,

Thanks, Guys. I'm gonna try to get it right now. I'll take a tape.

I really appreciate the help from everybody.

[KevsClassics]

Originally Posted by magwakeenercew2jh

Kev and Bert and 68gmsee,

Thanks, Guys. I'm gonna try to get it right now. I'll take a tape.

I really appreciate the help from everybody.

Did you get it?

[magwakeenercew2jh]

Originally Posted by KevsClassics

Did you get it?

The guy wouldn't come off of the $400 price. I offered him $300. At first, I figured he was a codger that I didn't want to buy from.
But, after thinking about it, $400 is okay if I don't have to do much body work.

So, I called him back and told him I'd like to take a "close" look. I'm going to check it out at 8:30 in the morning.
I'll be looking for bondo, mostly.

My woman wants a stepper. So she's ponying up some dough. Hoooray!!!!

I'll take the camera.

What do you think about $400 for a stepper bed with a serviceable, but roachy,
wood floor (I'll change it out), tail lights that are "frenched", but not too fancy, and a good tailgate?
No bumper or any other cool extras.

[gcburdic]

I would reply, but I'm scared you would post that picture from above again!!!YIKES!!!

[magwakeenercew2jh]

Originally Posted by gcburdic

I would reply, but I'm scared you would post that picture from above again!!!YIKES!!!

How's this?

[gcburdic]

Awww...much better!!!

I say take a magnet with ya and check all the obvious spots....how much body work do you think it needs??....FYI...I sold a fleet bed that needed both exterior wheel arches several years ago for $300

[magwakeenercew2jh]

Originally Posted by gcburdic

Awww...much better!!!
....how much body work do you think it needs??

Almost none. But the magnet will tell the whole story, I hope.

Thanks.

[71swb4x4]

Originally Posted by magwakeenercew2jh

I've got the opportunity to pick up a stepper bed if I move fast. But I don't know the year of the bed. So, I'd like to know what years (besides 67-72, of course) stepper beds fit on our frames, if any, as a direct fit.

I think a lot of people above have misunderstood your post. You are telling us this IS NOT a 67-72 step side bed correct? If that is the case, it may not be a direct fit. The fenders are probably incorrect and will look funny too. So now you have paid $400 for a bed, and you have to purchase new fenders too. I think you will be better off fixing your fleetside bed, or finding a 67-72 stepside bed.

Do you have any photos of the bed, or a link to the for sale ad? With that we can tell you what year bed it is.

[magwakeenercew2jh]

Originally Posted by 71swb4x4

I think a lot of people above have misunderstood your post. You are telling us this IS NOT a 67-72 step side bed correct?

Do you have any photos of the bed, or a link to the for sale ad? With that we can tell you what year bed it is.

Right. The guy selling it doesn't know. But he says he thinks it's "Late 70's".
I can't tell. It looks like the bed that was on my '83. But I just can't tell one from another...it's not late model, for sure.

There's no ad. It was sitting on his property about five miles from my house. I'll take pics in the morning and post them.
I'll take some measurements. I'll try to squeeze the guy for a little more info. And, I'll take the magnet.

Waaay better to get you guys to give me input that to blow $400 of my Christmas money...or my Woman's stash... on one more
part that wouldn't go on the truck.

I really appreciate the help.

[givengold]

The beds on stepsides are the same from l2nd gen 55 to 87. Only the fenders and tailgates were changed. That's what I have been told by several sources over the years. Never been sold the wrong part working off of this premise.

[71swb4x4]

Knowing it's a late 70's the above post is correct. You can use everything but the fenders. I am not sure when tailgates changed, hopefully someone else will pop in.

I still think $400 is too much for a bed that you are going to have to buy new parts for.

[Bert W]

OH! OK! My bad, I thought the $400 bed was in the magical realm of 1967-1972. Yep, different fenders.

[magwakeenercew2jh]

Originally Posted by Bert W

OH! OK! My bad, I thought the $400 bed was in the magical realm of 1967-1972. Yep, different fenders.

Naaaw! My fault, Bert. I wasn't clear.

[magwakeenercew2jh]

I met the guy at 8:30. I pulled up while he was opening the gate to his pasture where the bed was sitting. The bed was about a 7.5 on a scale of ten,
but wasn't a 67-72 (it had square wheel wells).

Thinking this to be the case, earlier this morning I looked around for fenders. First, LMC has OUR fenders. $499/side. Sure thing, LMC!!!!!!
Then, after looking around on the web for an hour, nada.

I jawboned with the guy a while and then checked out the bed. I told him I'd look a little more for some proper year fenders. When he realized I was a real guy,
and that I'd have to find more parts to make it work on the '68/'71, he only "suggested" that he'd come down a little. I don't blame him.
But the bed was far from pristine.

Made the trip down to visit the boys at ECE. Maybe they have a stepper bed out back? Maybe they have a set of fenders?

Stan said that the way the market is now, trucks with Fleetsides tend to be worth more than the same level truck with a stepside.
I told him I didn't give a s%$t. He said, "Yeah Bill, you by high and sell low, I know". True enough.

He had a set of GM rear stepper fenders he called "marginal". But, he apologized that they were still $500 for the set.

He didn't say it, but seemed happy when I came up being resigned to stick with the Fleetside. He said he'd let me know if a stepper came across his threshold.
I told him I'd trade a bed of equal value for the fleet.

End of story.

Thanks again to all. Without you guys and Stan, I may have had a $400 lump of coal sitting in my driveway while I was trying to find a set of fenders for it.

Guess I'll go this way...for now....

Anybody know the fix for a strange opening tail gate handle? When "pulled", it interferes with the proper placement of the upper trim.

[CC69Rat]

I don't know about a fleet / stepper being worth more $,.. I guess there's a butt for every seat. I like them both but the same level truck one fleet, one step.. I'd choose the stepper every time. Regardless of value.

Something about the chains on the tailgate I think. I just liked them when I was a kid. I know, you can get more tire under a fleet.. I know and that's likely why they're more common being bagged 20+" wheels, etc. Or more popular. I have 300 in my pass rear step fender but it's perfect. The lip is like new, GM metal. The driver is about the same. .. But I looked for them for months.
Just my opinion. .. Chad
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[BThompson]

I have a '72 short bed stepside that I'd really like to trade for a fleetside. Its very straight with just a couple small dents and a couple extra holes here and there that a previous owner drilled for boxes and such. Also, another previous owner installed chrome side steps instead of the factory body color. The bed has also been replaced with just plywood, however, the channels are still there that run underneath the wood.

I'm In So Cal and I can get some pictures up tomorrow if you are interested.

[magwakeenercew2jh]

Here are some pics:

http://tinyurl.com/66hchxd

Check your PM

[Palf70Step]

There is quite a few differences between the 67-72 beds and the 73-87 step beds. They can be made to work, but it is a bit more than swapping fenders.
I used an 84 to start with on my trucks build untill I found an era correct bed.
Here is how you get them to look right.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=123833