Stepside Conversion
 

I have been thinking about putting an 88-98 sportside on my 85(since you can't get daul tank square hole swb bedsides anymore and the ones that you could get were tiwanese*with the disclamer of having to do bodywork on them when you recieve them:crazy: ).I know that it has been done but what all is involved just shimming the back of the bed?Has anyone ever installed a 97-03 cough Ford cough Flareside onto one of these trucks?
Thanks
Shane

Re: Stepside Conversion
 

i have a daul tank square hole swb stepside bed

Re: Stepside Conversion
 

Unfortunately, those 88+ step beds do not look good on these trucks at all. :(

Re: Stepside Conversion
 

I've seen one around here I thought that it looked good matched allmost perfect.To each his own.

Re: Stepside Conversion
 

I can not help ya but iv'e seen a few in person and it looks ok some better than others.

I dont think it's that big of a project if ya have a well equipt shop to fab up brackets maybe cut/chop here trim there.

I think the ford flairside bed would look good maybe even better than the chevy one but iv'e never seen that done yet. Now theres a reason to do it be the first one to do that and you'll have the only truck like it:metal:

Re: Stepside Conversion
 

Yeah my thoughts exactly..We had a 97 in in my auto shop class Friday.Had passivly thought about it before (only major problem with the bed that i can think of is that the Ford oval emblem is recessed into the tailgate nothing a bigger bowtie couldn't fix though)If it is still there Monday I'll trt to get some measurments But form the looks of this snow there may not be any school:ww: :ww: anyways.Hopefully evening class didn't figure out the code and it will still be there.
I'll post some pics later.
Thanks
Shane

Re: Stepside Conversion
 

it would be a SNB if its a stepside and it stands for Short Narrow Bed, and if its a SWB it would be a Fleetside, which SWB stands for Short wide bed

Re: Stepside Conversion
 

It means different things to different people. Everytime I have heard SWB used it meant Short Wheel Base.

Re: Stepside Conversion
 

Here are some pics from about June or July 04 I think
http://images.yorkphoto.com/34562927...5%3B4595nu0mrj
http://images.yorkphoto.com/34562927...3B5%3A54nu0mrj
http://images.yorkphoto.com/34562927...5%3B4494nu0mrj
http://images.yorkphoto.com/34562927...5%3A5%3Anu0mrj

Re: Stepside Conversion
 

I have no idea what it takes to do it, but I imagine a plasma cutter and a welder might be required.

Personally I don't like the way it looks, but I guess you were just asking how to do it not what I thought if you did. Regardless of how I think it looks, here are some trucks that have done the conversion.


http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...1&d=1097800792

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...1&d=1097800821

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...1&d=1097800844

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...1&d=1097800874

Re: Stepside Conversion
 

This guy took it a step further, or should I say took one less step. He modified the rear of the bed by removing the step. This makes the bed much cleaner. If I were doing it, I would also shave the body line at the top of the bed....:)

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...1&d=1097359249

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...1&d=1097359249

Re: Stepside Conversion
 

I saw that blue truck in person. It doesn't look good as the 67-72 cabs with the same bed.

Re: Stepside Conversion
 

Me Likum Wide Bed

Re: Stepside Conversion
 

Yeah I liked the way it lookedbut it has gotten a little rust,which I repaired over the summer( sandblasted, sanded, fiberglass re-enforced filler, normal filler,auto primer, glazing putty,sanded 800 or 1000 grit,automotive paint ) You couldnt tell that it was there,then about three days after painting it started sinking in and bubbling:whine: :confused: I did it like it instructed and like books say let it cure and everything a couple days after primer befor paint.Iknow that it is a temporary fix but 3 days is outrageous:m7:

Re: Stepside Conversion
 

The only bad thing about shaving the upper body seam is that is how the fenders are held on to the bed. The upper rail is metal and the sides are SMC (fiberglass).

Re: Stepside Conversion
 

Jon that's what I always thought too. In an old post on this subject I was told differently by Jeremy (1FaastC10). He worked at a dealership too, so I assumed he was correct. Look here

Now I'm really confused...:(

Re: Stepside Conversion
 

Looked at one of the f-150 beds yesterday....they have those screwy flares at the front that wrap up around the edges of the cab,and the front of the bedside the flare is not vertical but slanted.

Re: Stepside Conversion
 

"Here are some pics from about June or July 04 I think"

from lookin at those pics...in my opinion, it looks like a four wheel drive..i had to take a few "double takes"

drop the crap outta it, you'll forget about some small rust bubbles

Re: Stepside Conversion
 

I like my 4x4 though (just not the gas mileage{was way better with the 6.5 diesel that is currently collecting dust in the garage [close to 22 on trips]})
I'll post current pics at some point.

Re: Stepside Conversion
 

There is an 81 C10 with an 88 up Stepside and wheels on it on ebay.

I'd get it for the Cab and Doors and make you a deal on the bed.. But, $750 for a parts truck is too much..

http://i6.ebayimg.com/01/i/06/30/aa/a9_3.JPG

Re: Stepside Conversion
 

Looks like I really missed the boat there
Shane

Re: Stepside Conversion
 

Re: Stepside Conversion
 

His truck is a 4x4!

Re: Stepside Conversion
 

Yeah its a 4x4 but I'm still doolin thats the best ive ever seen one line up
Thanks
Shane