72 C30 9 ft stepside

[tschev]

Hello all,
I recently acquired a 1972 C30 stepside with 9 ft bed. I must say it's a unique looking vehicle, and I couldn't say no when my buddy asked if I wanted to buy it! I know the frenched tail lights are not stock. Anyone know if the rounded piece of metal covering the top of the spare is stock or custom? My buddy says it's one of 975 ever produced, but that seems a little low. Anyone have any idea? I recall seeing the number somewhere but can't find it now. I am wondering what folks think about the truck, so your honest opinions are appreciated.

This is my first post, but feel free to give me your honest opinion anyway.

Thanks!

[Shaun1162]

Looks pretty sharp! Definately don't see the 9ft stepsides ever... And I wouldn't be surprised if that production number is right. I read somewhere that towns/states used to order them because they could fill the bed with gravel/dirt/etc and then rake it out, and not miss any in front of the wheel wells... No idea how true it is, but it sounded reasonable.

I'd say the peice of the spare is custom, I've never seen one like it.

[tschev]

I like that theory about being easier to clean out a stepside bed. Good day to take it for a spin!
Thanks for feedback!

[cypressbog]

1967 = 4,026
1968 = 2,836
1969 = 2,457
1970 = 2,101
1971 = 1,557
1972 = 1,542

[yuccales]

That truck is cool!

[Beat68CST]

It's a one ton!

LOVE IT! Beautiful pickup!

[57larry]

wow! that's long

[stovboltguy]

nice truck!! i have a canadian built 67 1 ton 9 foot step side and it is one of 249. it doesn't look that good though.

[midniteblues]

Sweet truck,I bet some people see it and think it was elongated.lol
but we know better!

[SS Tim]

Just "Love" these! I'd say most of that truck has custom touches seat, paint, spare mount, and tail lights. Here is what they generally look like. My understanding is the stepside beds were "grain tight" allowing farmers to haul without loss and the wood beds continued and were offered as options on the fleetside beds for livestock footing reasons.

[tschev]

Thanks for all of the feedback everyone. Unfortunately it turns out the storage area I had lined up fell through, so I have to put the truck up for sale. I currently have it on autotraderclassic.com. I would like to post the truck for sale on 67-72chevytrucks.com, but for the life of me I cannot figure out how to put something on the 'for sale' page. I emailed someone on the website but have not heard back. Anyone have any idea? Also, anyone interested in purchasing?

Thanks everyone!

[jc]

I am 9 ft fan
Had one 15 years ago I had to get rid of
I hope she's still around waiting for me to find her again
Posted via Mobile Device

[In The Ten Ring]

If I was to buy another pickup truck, a C30 stepside is exactly what I'd want.

[In The Ten Ring]

Look what I found!

72 Chevy C30 Stepside Longbed - YouTube

[Tinkermc]

So sorry that you need 2 sell !!! What are you asking 4 it?

[old Chevy guy]

You have to pay the subscription fee to post for sale adds.

[john]

This post is over two years old.

[Stocker]

I sometimes wonder how some of these old threads get re-discovered and revived....

[tschev]

Wow! I have to believe that's my old truck, but the "1 Ton" was not on mine. Any clue where you found this video clip? Last I heard, the truck was somewhere in Texas.

Thanks!

[Stocker]

That sounds extremely healthy --- was it like that when you owned it?

[tschev]

Oh yeah, that thing was a beast, and sounds like it did when I had it. Now that I've sold it, I will say that it did not have power steering, and was quite difficult to steer at slow speeds. I probably should have invested the $$ into power steering, but didn't want to put any more money into it. I wish I'd have had a place to keep it, it got lots of looks out on the road!

[mechanicalman]

Originally Posted by SS Tim

Just "Love" these! I'd say most of that truck has custom touches seat, paint, spare mount, and tail lights. Here is what they generally look like. My understanding is the stepside beds were "grain tight" allowing farmers to haul without loss and the wood beds continued and were offered as options on the fleetside beds for livestock footing reasons.

Gee I never thought about livestock footing but I'm sure that's right. We used to haul a cow now and then in the old 71 steel bed and footing was an issue, lucky we never broke a leg on the way to slaughter.

[mechanicalman]

Originally Posted by tschev

Oh yeah, that thing was a beast, and sounds like it did when I had it. Now that I've sold it, I will say that it did not have power steering, and was quite difficult to steer at slow speeds. I probably should have invested the $$ into power steering, but didn't want to put any more money into it. I wish I'd have had a place to keep it, it got lots of looks out on the road!

That tucked-in step bumper looks TOUGH!

[special-K]

Back before we were concerned about a truck lasting forever, the first thing we did was lay plywood over the steel floor. I used to cut pieces to fit around the wheel house to make it a complete floor.

The first beds were Stepside style because all cars and trucks were stepside/fendersides. The steps were running boards, the body was wide as the frame, and fenders were out covering the tires. Wood was used for structure, body mounting, and floorboards. Then bodies got wide with fenders incorporated in the first post-war design cars, but trucks were still somewhere in between. About 10 years later, just prior to the new incorporated body '60s, the first Fleetsides came out as an option and the floors continued to be made the same. It wasn't till '67 that a steel floor went in, along with double wall bedsides and tailgate latch mechanisms. Stepsides continued to be made as they always were till they were discontinued after '87. The woodfloor Fleetside became the option through '72, but due to low orders was discontinued in '73. I'm sure small livestock farmers were disappointed, along with many other trades. It's much like a trailer...steel deck vs wood. That steel is tough and great, but it sure is nice to run a screw into that wood to secure a load and a replaceable floor is nice further down the road after years of hard use.

[In The Ten Ring]

I did the onsite search function for "C30 Stepsides" and found this old thread. As for the video, I hit youtube for the same topic.

My dad replaced my rotted out wood floor with a steel bed he cut himself. The bedsides are seamlessly welded on and the thing is held onto the frame with 4 bolts. I can see why a wooden bed would be nice for livestock.

I do like a longer wheel base and if my truck ever is lost, that is what will replace it.

"Hard to steer at slow speeds?" Where I come from we have a cure for that. It's called "bigger muscles."