6' Stepside Compatability? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Sammy · 08-29-2006, 10:43 PM

With the exception of the fenders. Is it correct that most of the Chevy/Gmc stepside beds are the same? If not what years are the same to fit on a 6' frame? I need to hunt for a 6' bed. Looking at all my options as the 6' fleets are rather rare & expensive. I thought I heard a few years ago that 60 some thing thru 70's stepside boxs were identical except just adding the fenders. Is this correct? Does anyone have expertise in stepsides out there? Thanks for any responses..

krue · 08-29-2006, 11:09 PM

The 73-87 stepside beds can be made to work, but there are some mods that you'll have to do. Check the FAQ Submissions page and on the index thread is a link to Palf70steps article on converting them.

krue · 08-30-2006, 01:55 AM

It's not exactly the same, ask me how I know. The bedsides are different from 72 to 73 as is noted here.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=123833

**special-K** · 08-30-2006, 08:08 AM

Fender mounting will differ.The`72-ups have different steps,so front stake pocket/upright will be different.I`m guessing that`s what is in Krue`s link.

nate68 · 08-30-2006, 08:26 PM

i know the tailgates are all the same

Sammy · 08-30-2006, 08:39 PM

You are never too old to learn something. That is true. Today I searched a salvage place found he had at least 10 step beds. All chevy no two exactly alike. Everyone had a different fender arch. Our year step trucks don't have the clearence markers? I think I found a decent step but no marker lights. Anyone have a sure 67-72 step pic of the side of the step fender?.

.ohh by the way located 2 fleet 6' beds, one a 68 ...was told by owner that belonged to my uncle he is gone several yrs ago & that truck & bed will still rust that spot 20 yrs from now. Another one: salvage yard, that bed is rare we will start to talk at $ 1,500. it was a rusted thru and bent from being pushed around. yikes..

krue · 08-30-2006, 08:45 PM

NO clearance lights (or markers) is a 67 only. Fairly sought after.

Sammy · 08-30-2006, 08:59 PM

Hmmm think I may...seen one today. those arches & ridges on the fenders I never knew chevy made so many slightly different..the one I have ny eyes on has that slight ridge a few inches up from the bottom that runs the full length of the bed..the other one had a straight rige horizontal the length of the fender..guessing a 50-60 yr group??

chevy_fatman · 08-30-2006, 09:28 PM

This what a 1967 stepside bed looks like...

And this is a 68-72, notice the sidemarkers on the fenders...

The bedside fender mounting area differs through (sp?) the years

Sammy · 08-30-2006, 09:41 PM

ok thanks a whole bunch..printed a venders pic of a stepside fender..thanks for everyone's help this will ensure I purchase the right bed!!!!!

68shortstep · 08-31-2006, 07:01 PM

68 stocker-stepbed.

Some folks don't like the sidemount spare tire fender cutout, and will go so far as to fill it in, with a way-lot of body work. Easier (around here) to look for a replacement non-cutout fender.

That sidemount spare feature really appealed to me for some reason......

CPNEJR · 08-31-2006, 07:37 PM

here's 71402BB's step bed with the cutout for spare tire

nate68 · 08-31-2006, 08:46 PM

you can buy repro fenders but they don't make them without the marker lights which i would rather not have the side markers

Sammy · 08-31-2006, 09:56 PM

Yeah,
well I found a bed. Step a '67 with all the correct arch & ridge. No marker lights, no cutout for spare but someone did cut a 1 1/2" hole in the left fender for a gas tank..other than that great shape the green 71 machine now will get a place to sleep (bed). Thanks for everyone's responses.

nate68 · 09-01-2006, 08:45 PM

lucky

Sammy · 09-01-2006, 10:53 PM

Update: The 67 bed sides/ front panel with a chevy tailgate looks really good.
had to take a 66 short bed complete to get all the support structure under the bed as the previous owner of the 67 had removed them & installed only a 1/8 " aluminum plate inside the bed. Overall after two weeks hunting the right stuff not bad. Now disassembly and a trip for media blasting...thanks for your help & the pics really helped!

08-29-2006, 10:43 PM	#1
Sammy Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Bonne Terre, Mo Posts: 3,005	6' Stepside Compatability? With the exception of the fenders. Is it correct that most of the Chevy/Gmc stepside beds are the same? If not what years are the same to fit on a 6' frame? I need to hunt for a 6' bed. Looking at all my options as the 6' fleets are rather rare & expensive. I thought I heard a few years ago that 60 some thing thru 70's stepside boxs were identical except just adding the fenders. Is this correct? Does anyone have expertise in stepsides out there? Thanks for any responses..

08-29-2006, 11:09 PM	#2
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,450	Re: 6' Stepside Compatability? The 73-87 stepside beds can be made to work, but there are some mods that you'll have to do. Check the FAQ Submissions page and on the index thread is a link to Palf70steps article on converting them. __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

08-30-2006, 01:55 AM	#3
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,450	Re: 6' Stepside Compatability? It's not exactly the same, ask me how I know. The bedsides are different from 72 to 73 as is noted here. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=123833 __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

08-30-2006, 08:08 AM	#4
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,863	Re: 6' Stepside Compatability? Fender mounting will differ.The`72-ups have different steps,so front stake pocket/upright will be different.I`m guessing that`s what is in Krue`s link. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

08-30-2006, 08:26 PM	#5
nate68 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: ca Posts: 1,110	Re: 6' Stepside Compatability? i know the tailgates are all the same __________________ 68 short step, 406/700r4, 9" w/discs.

08-30-2006, 08:39 PM	#6
Sammy Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Bonne Terre, Mo Posts: 3,005	Re: 6' Stepside Compatability? You are never too old to learn something. That is true. Today I searched a salvage place found he had at least 10 step beds. All chevy no two exactly alike. Everyone had a different fender arch. Our year step trucks don't have the clearence markers? I think I found a decent step but no marker lights. Anyone have a sure 67-72 step pic of the side of the step fender?. .ohh by the way located 2 fleet 6' beds, one a 68 ...was told by owner that belonged to my uncle he is gone several yrs ago & that truck & bed will still rust that spot 20 yrs from now. Another one: salvage yard, that bed is rare we will start to talk at $ 1,500. it was a rusted thru and bent from being pushed around. yikes.. __________________ '69 Chevy Long Fleet & '71 GMC Short Step & Project "ODD BALL" "You can wash a pig, soak it in most expensive perfume. In the end it is still just a pig." ODD BALL build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=478629"

08-30-2006, 08:45 PM	#7
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,450	Re: 6' Stepside Compatability? NO clearance lights (or markers) is a 67 only. Fairly sought after. __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

08-30-2006, 08:59 PM	#8
Sammy Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Bonne Terre, Mo Posts: 3,005	Re: 6' Stepside Compatability? Hmmm think I may...seen one today. those arches & ridges on the fenders I never knew chevy made so many slightly different..the one I have ny eyes on has that slight ridge a few inches up from the bottom that runs the full length of the bed..the other one had a straight rige horizontal the length of the fender..guessing a 50-60 yr group?? __________________ '69 Chevy Long Fleet & '71 GMC Short Step & Project "ODD BALL" "You can wash a pig, soak it in most expensive perfume. In the end it is still just a pig." ODD BALL build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=478629"

08-30-2006, 09:28 PM	#9
chevy_fatman Where's my beer? Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: I live in the state of denial.... Posts: 5,621	Re: 6' Stepside Compatability? This what a 1967 stepside bed looks like... And this is a 68-72, notice the sidemarkers on the fenders... The bedside fender mounting area differs through (sp?) the years __________________ Paul How do you make the invisible, visible?.........You take it away.

08-30-2006, 09:41 PM	#10
Sammy Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Bonne Terre, Mo Posts: 3,005	Re: 6' Stepside Compatability? ok thanks a whole bunch..printed a venders pic of a stepside fender..thanks for everyone's help this will ensure I purchase the right bed!!!!! __________________ '69 Chevy Long Fleet & '71 GMC Short Step & Project "ODD BALL" "You can wash a pig, soak it in most expensive perfume. In the end it is still just a pig." ODD BALL build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=478629"

08-31-2006, 07:01 PM	#11
68shortstep Looks good at 20-ft ..... Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Mtn Home, AR Posts: 707	Re: 6' Stepside Compatability? 68 stocker-stepbed. Some folks don't like the sidemount spare tire fender cutout, and will go so far as to fill it in, with a way-lot of body work. Easier (around here) to look for a replacement non-cutout fender. That sidemount spare feature really appealed to me for some reason...... Attached Images

08-31-2006, 07:37 PM	#12
CPNEJR Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Franconia,N.H. Posts: 1,029	Re: 6' Stepside Compatability? here's 71402BB's step bed with the cutout for spare tire Attached Images __________________ (Only) Member of the CPNE Fan Club Aint that the truth 67 C-10 350 with 3-speed tranny and 308 gears swb step 82 Z28 Camaro 355 small block over 350 hp and a borg warner super t-10 (blown engine) 72 Chevy K20 Suburban (future project) 70 Chevy K20 now 68 GMC K2500 2003 Chevy 2500hd ccsb 4X4 (daily driver)

08-31-2006, 08:46 PM	#13
nate68 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: ca Posts: 1,110	Re: 6' Stepside Compatability? you can buy repro fenders but they don't make them without the marker lights which i would rather not have the side markers __________________ 68 short step, 406/700r4, 9" w/discs.

08-31-2006, 09:56 PM	#14
Sammy Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Bonne Terre, Mo Posts: 3,005	Re: 6' Stepside Compatability? Yeah, well I found a bed. Step a '67 with all the correct arch & ridge. No marker lights, no cutout for spare but someone did cut a 1 1/2" hole in the left fender for a gas tank..other than that great shape the green 71 machine now will get a place to sleep (bed). Thanks for everyone's responses. __________________ '69 Chevy Long Fleet & '71 GMC Short Step & Project "ODD BALL" "You can wash a pig, soak it in most expensive perfume. In the end it is still just a pig." ODD BALL build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=478629"

09-01-2006, 08:45 PM	#15
nate68 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: ca Posts: 1,110	Re: 6' Stepside Compatability? lucky __________________ 68 short step, 406/700r4, 9" w/discs.



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

09-01-2006, 10:53 PM	#16
Sammy Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Bonne Terre, Mo Posts: 3,005	Re: 6' Stepside Compatability? Update: The 67 bed sides/ front panel with a chevy tailgate looks really good. had to take a 66 short bed complete to get all the support structure under the bed as the previous owner of the 67 had removed them & installed only a 1/8 " aluminum plate inside the bed. Overall after two weeks hunting the right stuff not bad. Now disassembly and a trip for media blasting...thanks for your help & the pics really helped! __________________ '69 Chevy Long Fleet & '71 GMC Short Step & Project "ODD BALL" "You can wash a pig, soak it in most expensive perfume. In the end it is still just a pig." ODD BALL build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=478629"

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.