just a thought for a swb fleet bed - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

GMC 3 · 10-01-2002, 08:56 PM

was looking at a '79 swb the other day and the insides of their beds look very similar to our years. any body thought or tried to put new bedsides and front gate on a 73-80 bed to get the hard to find 67-72 short fleet bed

thank you

TODDS 72 · 10-01-2002, 09:12 PM

I think you'll find ther all the same from the 60 s to 87,cept the outer fenders are not the same.

chevy2racr · 10-01-2002, 09:13 PM

for a fleet??"?? the body style is 73-87 by the way, I don't think soon a fleet, step side the bed itself if the same from 87-atleast 60 Ibelieve, there is a little diffrnc int eh ealry ones...
Bryce

TODDS 72 · 10-01-2002, 09:22 PM

SORRY HAD HEAD UP A$$ ,was thinking step.........

GMC 3 · 10-02-2002, 08:30 PM

i just mean that knowing how GM is, its not hard to imagine that when they redesigned the truck in 73, they took the 67-72 bed and put remodeled bedsides on it. Couldn't we do the reverse. cut bedsides off of a 73-87 bed and put new repro. bedsides on it.
it would be easy to find a 73-87 fleet bed in the scrap yard for under $100. Or maybe I'm way off missing something obvious. let me know what you think. thanks

Stano · 10-02-2002, 08:37 PM

I believe the bed fllors are different enough to make this not easily done. Also the floor crossmembers are a little different too. The 73-87 bed sides are bolted on and a couple spot welds at the back at the floor, like the 67-72's.

tom hand · 10-02-2002, 08:41 PM

Interesting idea, and knowing how GM is you very well could be right. I know I have seen 73 up tailgates on 72 down trucks that appeared to operate. I would think ten minutes and a tape measure would give you the answer. Find one of each and measure every direction. If it will work let me know I think I will start building them and selling them. LOL

slam33 · 10-02-2002, 08:51 PM

Well you guys with shortys are lucky becuse you can get new bed sides. The long sides are the tough ones to get, unless you live back east. Seems you Eastward guys have all the beds and all the luck.

68_GMC_910 · 10-02-2002, 08:59 PM

I think anything from 1956-1987 will do the trick if you just change the outer fenders...

**Palf70Step** · 10-03-2002, 12:31 PM

That's what I have been told too...that up to 87 the only difference is the fenders. Haven't tested it yet, but I am looking at the same idea since it is much easier to find those beds in decent shape, than our years.

*Shane* · 10-03-2002, 01:41 PM

Quote:

I think anything from 1956-1987 will do the trick if you just change the outer fenders...

That is correct for stepside beds......but I don't think that's the case with fleetsides....

10-01-2002, 08:56 PM	#1
GMC 3 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Philadelphia, pa. U.S.A. Posts: 87	just a thought for a swb fleet bed was looking at a '79 swb the other day and the insides of their beds look very similar to our years. any body thought or tried to put new bedsides and front gate on a 73-80 bed to get the hard to find 67-72 short fleet bed thank you

10-01-2002, 09:12 PM	#2
TODDS 72 Not the nightly winner Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: CHARLEMONT MA.USA Posts: 763	I think you'll find ther all the same from the 60 s to 87,cept the outer fenders are not the same. __________________ 72C10SWB BLUE 350/350 86K10LWB BLUE 5.7 700r4 7.5' fisher plow 93S10XCAB4X4 BLUE 4.3 4L60e 69gmc c10 v8 3 on the tree yellow 72k10 swb 350 3 on the tree green 86k15 swb5.0L 4spd brown

10-01-2002, 09:13 PM	#3
chevy2racr So Many Ideas, So Little Money Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Marshalltown, IA Posts: 1,610	for a fleet??"?? the body style is 73-87 by the way, I don't think soon a fleet, step side the bed itself if the same from 87-atleast 60 Ibelieve, there is a little diffrnc int eh ealry ones... Bryce __________________ 72 Blazer 3/4 ton running gear 4.10s NP205/TH350 350 4in lift half doors 71 C10 with 454 99 S-10 5.1L SBC 700R4 09 Malibu Marshalltown, Iowa

10-01-2002, 09:22 PM	#4
TODDS 72 Not the nightly winner Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: CHARLEMONT MA.USA Posts: 763	SORRY HAD HEAD UP A$$ ,was thinking step......... __________________ 72C10SWB BLUE 350/350 86K10LWB BLUE 5.7 700r4 7.5' fisher plow 93S10XCAB4X4 BLUE 4.3 4L60e 69gmc c10 v8 3 on the tree yellow 72k10 swb 350 3 on the tree green 86k15 swb5.0L 4spd brown

10-02-2002, 08:37 PM	#6
Stano Registered User Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Mo Posts: 963	I believe the bed fllors are different enough to make this not easily done. Also the floor crossmembers are a little different too. The 73-87 bed sides are bolted on and a couple spot welds at the back at the floor, like the 67-72's. __________________ New daily driver 96 Chevy K3500 crew cab dually 53,000 miles 350 Vortec 4L80 Nice ride 67 Chevy C-10 LWB Built 350 TH-400 Wifes ride and family rig: 2001 Furd Expedition 5.4 Liter Kickin back in Rolla,Mo. USA "Do the thing you fear most and the death of fear is certain" Mark Twain

10-02-2002, 08:30 PM	#5
GMC 3 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Philadelphia, pa. U.S.A. Posts: 87	i just mean that knowing how GM is, its not hard to imagine that when they redesigned the truck in 73, they took the 67-72 bed and put remodeled bedsides on it. Couldn't we do the reverse. cut bedsides off of a 73-87 bed and put new repro. bedsides on it. it would be easy to find a 73-87 fleet bed in the scrap yard for under $100. Or maybe I'm way off missing something obvious. let me know what you think. thanks

10-02-2002, 08:41 PM	#7
tom hand CCRider Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Olive Branch,MS,USA Posts: 2,232	Interesting idea, and knowing how GM is you very well could be right. I know I have seen 73 up tailgates on 72 down trucks that appeared to operate. I would think ten minutes and a tape measure would give you the answer. Find one of each and measure every direction. If it will work let me know I think I will start building them and selling them. LOL __________________ 72 GMC Sierra SWB almost finished---- 84 Softail Olive Branch MS Last edited by tom hand; 10-02-2002 at 08:44 PM.

10-02-2002, 08:51 PM	#8
slam33 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Long Beach, Ca Posts: 1,432	Well you guys with shortys are lucky becuse you can get new bed sides. The long sides are the tough ones to get, unless you live back east. Seems you Eastward guys have all the beds and all the luck. __________________ 71 LWB 350/350still working on it but it's going tp be sweet. www.geocities.com/stevemau/slam33page.html " TARGET=_blank>http://www.geocities.com/stevemau/slam33page.html?1004806705410 </A>

10-02-2002, 08:59 PM	#9
68_GMC_910 what would Neal do? Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Posts: 150	I think anything from 1956-1987 will do the trick if you just change the outer fenders... __________________ 1968 GMC 910 Long Step 250/3onTree 1969 Chevy C10 longfleet, 350/350

10-03-2002, 12:31 PM	#10
Palf70Step State of Confusion! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gulfport, MS USA Posts: 46,768	That's what I have been told too...that up to 87 the only difference is the fenders. Haven't tested it yet, but I am looking at the same idea since it is much easier to find those beds in decent shape, than our years. __________________ Bill 1970 Chevy Custom/10 LWB Fleetside 2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab - DD Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Bill's Gallery Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God!



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.