Let's get creative... Stepside bed ideas... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

jorgensensc · 06-08-2007, 10:35 PM

Well since I already have a stepside and budgets are slim.. I would like for y'all to help me get creative with the bed. I want to do the obvious things like shave the stakes, and fill the cap ends, but I'm stuck on the taillights right now. I don't want to put the caddy lights in the pillats where the tailgate attaches, it seems a little dated. I would like to keep the rear chrome bumper, but I willl ditch the chains and find a better way to keep the tailgate up. So I attached a pic of the rear of my old truck, lets get a little creative. All ideas are welcomed!!

67ChevyRedneck · 06-08-2007, 10:48 PM

I got the latches from ECE... I think? I made the hinges by copying Putters Idea (he actaully sent the me hinges off his truck!)

**special-K** · 06-08-2007, 11:05 PM

I like the fleetside straps idea.There`s also late-model cables.I wouldn`t do any tailights but ones that are off the body,just cleaner/tighter.I built a pro-street stepside with model A tailights against the uprights and down close to the bumper.After I did it,I wished I had used 47-53 Chevy truck lights.They have little bowties and are upright rectangles with rounded edges.

Longhorn Man · 06-08-2007, 11:18 PM

I hope someone has a photo of that white stepside with the smaller lights in chrome housings... it looks bad ass IMO

krue · 06-08-2007, 11:27 PM

You talking about Subtle71's (Dean's)?

jorgensensc · 06-08-2007, 11:48 PM

Maybe like this:

Or this:

Remember the truck will be satin black with red steelies and spider caps, and wide whites.

**Boog** · 06-10-2007, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by krue

You talking about Subtle71's (Dean's)?

I believe Tim Christians' GMC has these small chrome lamps too though I don't have a pic of it handy.

Longhorn Man · 06-08-2007, 11:37 PM

I have no idea. I remember pics of it from last summer at the TN meet, on a trailer.

jorgensensc · 06-08-2007, 11:41 PM

I went outside and looked at my bed a little. What if I boxed the end of the bed where the pillars are and made them go to the end of the flange that hides the side of the tailgate. THen maybe I could use an electric hatch release of a newer vehicle with a rear hatch (say a trailblazer) and put the push release thing in the middle on the slope of the top of the tailgate. The main problem I see is how would I get to the bolts that attach the tailgate if I boxed the whole end. Maybe I could use the cups off of a newer truck tailgate that attaches at the bottom (that makes the tailgate removable) and find a way to put those on. I like the cable idea. What does the 47-53 taillights look like? I thought of I boxed the neds, maybe I could put some of those cool teardrop style tailights (I think old ford). HMMMM! Keep the ideas coming.

jorgensensc · 06-08-2007, 11:50 PM

Didn't somebody do an El Camino rear bumper? I thought I heard it looked nice? Wasn't there a taillight that looked like a V8 emblem or something? I don't want it to stand out too much, just subtly blend.

krue · 06-09-2007, 02:10 AM

This is Dean's truck.

GREASEMONKEY72 · 06-09-2007, 03:32 AM

67ChevyRedneck - sweet gate

that white step looks pretty nice

the v8 looking taillights were ford i believe and the ideas you mentioned all sound cool to me, i think the top light would be my choice over the bottom one since ive seen them around more

krue · 06-09-2007, 02:08 AM

Andy that's dean's truck, I don't know if I have any pics or not.

**special-K** · 06-09-2007, 06:59 AM

I like to keep it simple,like Dean`s truck.Too me,Stepsides are about simple.You can clean things up,but wanting to sleek one out too much means time for a Fleetside,IMHO.If you do get to alot of custom work,there should be mods to the rest of the truck to follow through.Otherwise,it looks like you really didn`t like the bed in the first place...time for a Fleetside.
Here are the early lights.They`d look better w/o the blue dots:

GREASEMONKEY72 · 06-09-2007, 07:03 AM

they look better WITH the blue dots................

imo

**special-K** · 06-09-2007, 08:03 AM

What...EVER!!!

............

Dean`s truck may have the Chevy lights that came between the ones I showed and the bigger round ones that are on your truck now.The ones I showed don`t run up to as new as I said.I think they started earlier and stopped in the middle of the 47-53s,like when wing vents started.

**67sss** · 06-09-2007, 09:35 AM

KISS- keep it simply stock.

OlChev67 · 06-09-2007, 09:47 AM

I thought about putting maybe 3" or 4" round LEDs in the fender, so they sit flush in the back of the fender. Seen it once before and it looks cool

Longhorn Man · 06-09-2007, 09:41 AM

Yep, that's the one.
The only thing I woulda done a liuttle different, is mounting them a tad bit higher.

**Hart_Rod** · 06-09-2007, 11:02 AM

I think Dean used the 54-59 tail lights (they're similar to the ones I put on my 48). I built a reverse handle for mine that uses the stealth latches.

R

**special-K** · 06-09-2007, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hart_Rod

I think Dean used the 54-59 tail lights (they're similar to the ones I put on my 48). I built a reverse handle for mine that uses the stealth latches.

R

Ok,so those small round didn`t start until`54.BTW,Don`t cut your fenders to mount flush lights,please!!!If you have to get away from the traditional bedside mounting location and want to clean it up,how about some slim lights that fill in between the bumper and tailgate?They would practically be hidden and your fenders won`t get hacked.Maybe l.e.d. lights.

magsnubby · 06-10-2007, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by special-K

...how about some slim lights that fill in between the bumper and tailgate?They would practically be hidden and your fenders won`t get hacked.Maybe l.e.d. lights.

That's what i'm thinking. I see alot of the late model guys doing this on their trucks. The things are almost invisible untill they hit the brakes or turn signals. Those little L.E.D.'s put out an amazing amount of light. Clean and simple.

jamis · 06-09-2007, 11:14 AM

In my opinion the winners if the Very Best Step Side Mod of the Year goes to these two gentlemen......drum roll please........ Frizzle Fry and XXL

http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...2&postcount=78

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=205628

If I where keeping my step side.....I would have been following their examples.

sodak69c10 · 06-10-2007, 03:20 AM

what about the LED strips that sit under th tail gates and have the tail lights/blinkers/brake light built in then you could remove the tailights entirely

http://www.pickupspecialties.com/LED..._light_bar.htm

Mudder · 06-10-2007, 08:16 AM

I could never mess with my "stock" round tail lights. I wouldn't be stock anymore.

06-08-2007, 10:35 PM	#1
jorgensensc Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Cypress, Tx Posts: 4,005	Let's get creative... Stepside bed ideas... Well since I already have a stepside and budgets are slim.. I would like for y'all to help me get creative with the bed. I want to do the obvious things like shave the stakes, and fill the cap ends, but I'm stuck on the taillights right now. I don't want to put the caddy lights in the pillats where the tailgate attaches, it seems a little dated. I would like to keep the rear chrome bumper, but I willl ditch the chains and find a better way to keep the tailgate up. So I attached a pic of the rear of my old truck, lets get a little creative. All ideas are welcomed!! Attached Images __________________ 1972 C20 Suburban- Big Blue Betty '56 Chevy Bel Air Sedan- Frame up Restoration -What would you attempt to achieve if you knew you could not fail?- -I Refuse To Tiptoe Through Life, Only To Arrive Safely At Death's Door- R.I.P. EAST SIDE LOW LIFE

06-08-2007, 10:48 PM	#2
67ChevyRedneck Hittin E-Z Street on Mud Tires Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 23,090	Re: Let's get creative... Stepside bed ideas... I got the latches from ECE... I think? I made the hinges by copying Putters Idea (he actaully sent the me hinges off his truck!) Attached Images __________________ Jesse James 1967 C10 SWB Stepside: 350/700R4/3.73 1965 Ford Mustang: 289/T5-5spd/3.25 Trac-Loc 1968 Pontiac Firebird: Project Fire Chicken! 2015 Silverado Double Cab 5.3L Z71 2001 Jeep Wrangler Sport 4.0L 5spd 2020 Chevrolet Equinox Premium 2.0L Turbo 2011 Mustang V6 ~ Wife's ride American Born, Country by the Grace of God 1967 CST Shop Truck Rebuild! My 1967 C-10 Build Thread My Vintage Air A/C Install Project "On a Dime" Trying my hand at Home Renovation! 1965 Mustang Modifications!

06-08-2007, 11:05 PM	#3
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: Let's get creative... Stepside bed ideas... I like the fleetside straps idea.There`s also late-model cables.I wouldn`t do any tailights but ones that are off the body,just cleaner/tighter.I built a pro-street stepside with model A tailights against the uprights and down close to the bumper.After I did it,I wished I had used 47-53 Chevy truck lights.They have little bowties and are upright rectangles with rounded edges. __________________ "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 ~

06-08-2007, 11:18 PM	#4
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: Let's get creative... Stepside bed ideas... I hope someone has a photo of that white stepside with the smaller lights in chrome housings... it looks bad ass IMO

06-08-2007, 11:27 PM	#5
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,448	Re: Let's get creative... Stepside bed ideas... You talking about Subtle71's (Dean's)? __________________ "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"

06-08-2007, 11:48 PM	#6
jorgensensc Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Cypress, Tx Posts: 4,005	Re: Let's get creative... Stepside bed ideas... Maybe like this: Or this: Remember the truck will be satin black with red steelies and spider caps, and wide whites. __________________ 1972 C20 Suburban- Big Blue Betty '56 Chevy Bel Air Sedan- Frame up Restoration -What would you attempt to achieve if you knew you could not fail?- -I Refuse To Tiptoe Through Life, Only To Arrive Safely At Death's Door- R.I.P. EAST SIDE LOW LIFE

06-08-2007, 11:37 PM	#8
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: Let's get creative... Stepside bed ideas... I have no idea. I remember pics of it from last summer at the TN meet, on a trailer.

06-08-2007, 11:41 PM	#9
jorgensensc Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Cypress, Tx Posts: 4,005	Re: Let's get creative... Stepside bed ideas... I went outside and looked at my bed a little. What if I boxed the end of the bed where the pillars are and made them go to the end of the flange that hides the side of the tailgate. THen maybe I could use an electric hatch release of a newer vehicle with a rear hatch (say a trailblazer) and put the push release thing in the middle on the slope of the top of the tailgate. The main problem I see is how would I get to the bolts that attach the tailgate if I boxed the whole end. Maybe I could use the cups off of a newer truck tailgate that attaches at the bottom (that makes the tailgate removable) and find a way to put those on. I like the cable idea. What does the 47-53 taillights look like? I thought of I boxed the neds, maybe I could put some of those cool teardrop style tailights (I think old ford). HMMMM! Keep the ideas coming. __________________ 1972 C20 Suburban- Big Blue Betty '56 Chevy Bel Air Sedan- Frame up Restoration -What would you attempt to achieve if you knew you could not fail?- -I Refuse To Tiptoe Through Life, Only To Arrive Safely At Death's Door- R.I.P. EAST SIDE LOW LIFE

06-08-2007, 11:50 PM	#10
jorgensensc Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Cypress, Tx Posts: 4,005	Re: Let's get creative... Stepside bed ideas... Didn't somebody do an El Camino rear bumper? I thought I heard it looked nice? Wasn't there a taillight that looked like a V8 emblem or something? I don't want it to stand out too much, just subtly blend. __________________ 1972 C20 Suburban- Big Blue Betty '56 Chevy Bel Air Sedan- Frame up Restoration -What would you attempt to achieve if you knew you could not fail?- -I Refuse To Tiptoe Through Life, Only To Arrive Safely At Death's Door- R.I.P. EAST SIDE LOW LIFE Last edited by jorgensensc; 06-08-2007 at 11:51 PM.

06-09-2007, 02:10 AM	#11
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,448	Re: Let's get creative... Stepside bed ideas... This is Dean's truck. Attached Images __________________ "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"

06-09-2007, 03:32 AM	#12
GREASEMONKEY72 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Bakersfield,CA Posts: 7,893	Re: Let's get creative... Stepside bed ideas... 67ChevyRedneck - sweet gate that white step looks pretty nice the v8 looking taillights were ford i believe and the ideas you mentioned all sound cool to me, i think the top light would be my choice over the bottom one since ive seen them around more __________________ -steven Alte Seele S.S. "Allison" '72 C/10 LWB 350SB/TH350 - DD PITBULL IS NOT A CRIME

06-09-2007, 02:08 AM	#13
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,448	Re: Let's get creative... Stepside bed ideas... Andy that's dean's truck, I don't know if I have any pics or not. __________________ "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"

06-09-2007, 06:59 AM	#14
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: Let's get creative... Stepside bed ideas... I like to keep it simple,like Dean`s truck.Too me,Stepsides are about simple.You can clean things up,but wanting to sleek one out too much means time for a Fleetside,IMHO.If you do get to alot of custom work,there should be mods to the rest of the truck to follow through.Otherwise,it looks like you really didn`t like the bed in the first place...time for a Fleetside. Here are the early lights.They`d look better w/o the blue dots: __________________ "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 ~

06-09-2007, 07:03 AM	#15
GREASEMONKEY72 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Bakersfield,CA Posts: 7,893	Re: Let's get creative... Stepside bed ideas... they look better WITH the blue dots................ imo __________________ -steven Alte Seele S.S. "Allison" '72 C/10 LWB 350SB/TH350 - DD PITBULL IS NOT A CRIME

06-09-2007, 08:03 AM	#16
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: Let's get creative... Stepside bed ideas... What...EVER!!!............ Dean`s truck may have the Chevy lights that came between the ones I showed and the bigger round ones that are on your truck now.The ones I showed don`t run up to as new as I said.I think they started earlier and stopped in the middle of the 47-53s,like when wing vents started. __________________ "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 ~



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06-09-2007, 09:35 AM	#17
67sss Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Mt. Vernon, WA.. Posts: 2,325	Re: Let's get creative... Stepside bed ideas... KISS- keep it simply stock.

06-09-2007, 09:47 AM	#18
OlChev67 Ever heard of Beech Island?? Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Clemson, SC Posts: 327	Re: Let's get creative... Stepside bed ideas... I thought about putting maybe 3" or 4" round LEDs in the fender, so they sit flush in the back of the fender. Seen it once before and it looks cool

06-09-2007, 09:41 AM	#19
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: Let's get creative... Stepside bed ideas... Yep, that's the one. The only thing I woulda done a liuttle different, is mounting them a tad bit higher.

06-09-2007, 11:02 AM	#20
Hart_Rod ************* Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Pensacola, FL Posts: 17,858	Re: Let's get creative... Stepside bed ideas... I think Dean used the 54-59 tail lights (they're similar to the ones I put on my 48). I built a reverse handle for mine that uses the stealth latches. R Attached Images __________________ Rob - https://www.instagram.com/hart_rod_c10 As Iron Sharpens Iron, So One Man Sharpens Another. Proverbs 27:17 FOR SALE: DBW pedal bracket - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=651123 FOR SALE: Hood Brackets http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=679945 1987 Silverado SWB - 34.5K original miles http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=801834 1969 SuperBurb - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=200387 1968 Farm truck - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=358692 1968 SWB - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=551258 1948 Chevy - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=122164&page=3

06-09-2007, 11:14 AM	#23
jamis F.A.S.T. president Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Florida Posts: 1,883	Re: Let's get creative... Stepside bed ideas... In my opinion the winners if the Very Best Step Side Mod of the Year goes to these two gentlemen......drum roll please........ Frizzle Fry and XXL http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...2&postcount=78 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=205628 If I where keeping my step side.....I would have been following their examples. __________________ F.A.S.T. President and Founder Fabricators for the Advancement of Sawsall Technology "A fear of the Sawsall is a sign of retarded sexual and emotional maturity." ~Sigmund Freud, "General Introduction to Psychoanalysis"

06-10-2007, 03:20 AM	#24
sodak69c10 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Rapid City, South Dakota Posts: 285	Re: Let's get creative... Stepside bed ideas... what about the LED strips that sit under th tail gates and have the tail lights/blinkers/brake light built in then you could remove the tailights entirely http://www.pickupspecialties.com/LED..._light_bar.htm __________________ ,Clint LOUD PIPES SAVE LIVES 69 C-10 short stepside 406 sbc, 02 YAMAHA WR250F, 07 SUZUKI SV650S, 81 Grand Prix 355 sbc, 81 XT 500 YAMAHA

06-10-2007, 08:16 AM	#25
Mudder Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: East Central, MO Posts: 11,336	Re: Let's get creative... Stepside bed ideas... I could never mess with my "stock" round tail lights. I wouldn't be stock anymore.

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