??'s on conversion from 72 swb to 98 sportside bed

[sonseeker]

I have seen on here many have made this conversion,what all does it intail making this conversion. Is there an extensive write up somewhere? If you want to use the gas door on the sportside what tank do you buy,i would like to move the tank out of the cab. Anyother info would be appreciated.

[LockDoc]

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Here is a thread with lots of pics but not much info. It looks like member mike nutt had a build thread on it but he deleted all of his pictures for some reason...

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=311974

LockDoc

[big mike71]

Don't do it, the newer beds do not look near as good as the older beds, Imo.

[Naterman35]

Theres one that drives around here and i think it looks pretty good. Its a faded yellow so needs some paint but still look good.


What i want to know is what about a fleetside?

I need a new bed and cant find any 67-72 long beds around here trhat arent trashed.

[toddtheodd]

Whatever you do... match the wheel wells on the bed with the front ones.
I saw one that had the front wheel wells matched to the bed, and it looked like bottled vomit. Our trucks weren't meant to have square wheel wells.

[toddtheodd]

Matched 72 style wheel wells: (Looks good right?)



Mix matched wheel wells: (You can find these ALL BLOODY DAY) (I think I threw up a little)



Matched... late model wheel wells: (At least they match... but not as nice as the round ones...)

[big_al_71]

[quote=toddtheodd;3574292]Matched 72 style wheel wells: (Looks good right?)



Matched... late model wheel wells: (At least they match... but not as nice as the round ones...)




this GMC actually looks really good to me!!!

[toddtheodd]

Originally Posted by big_al_71

this GMC actually looks really good to me!!!

Yeah... they really did a good job lining that one up. And it looks like they carried the top trim from the cab to the bed, which really finishes it off nicely. Though of course, having matching 67-72 wheel well openings is a BIG help.

[Boog]

You know, I'm not usually a fan of the late sport bed on our trucks. Mainly because of the wheel openings. I have seen only one or two that I thought looked, acceptable. This one however looks good to me. I don't know how you'd go about making those round openings with the fiberglass but the end result is worth the work for sure. The narrow body trim on the bedsides is a nice touch too.
Todd do you know who this one belongs to?
It would also look way kewl with a 3/5 drop and a set of Cragar SS wheels.

[sonseeker]

Well guys still trying to decide. I haven't been able to locate fleetside one yet that is in good condition. I did however pick up a nice stepside from a 98 in my local junk yard. No rust in the usual spots. Still trying to find a decent fleetside,i do like the origanal looks much better.Maybe i should just sell this project and find one aldready done!

[Longhorn Man]

OK... just facts here, no opinion at all;

if you were to look at one in person, and actually spend time looking at it, you'll see there is only one line that lines up, and it doesn't line up all that well. Wheel openings don't match, the whole style of boxy and angular in front with smooth and sleek in back kinda clash, the rear steps look funny and out of place (even when on a stock 88 - 98) The bed has to be jacked up too high causing top of the bed to be too high. It's just a poor fit all around.
the fleetsides fit is even worse.

Now, my personal opinion... while i think it looks pretty bad, I can understand locating 40 year old parts in the rustbelt. If I were to do it, it would only be till I could locate a proper bed. If you aren't willing to travel, then you may as well forget it, but if you are willing to take a weekend getaway and head a state or two south... you should be able to locate something.

[weasel29gm]

From the conversions I've seen you have to use spacers on the front. Seems like a inch or 1.5 or so. The back lined up. Could be wrong, but adjust as you need.

[hemihead]

Had one one my 67 before I went back to a original fleet. All you need is spacers and bolts. Punch your holes in the bed where necessary.

[chevy72pu]

Bought mine with the '90 bed already on it so I can't help you with the how. I do have a blazer tank under the bed behind the axle. Moved the filler neck from before rear wheel to after. Eventually switched to a cool cap filler through the bed. I hear the arguments against wheel well openings, but I don't think it takes away from the look of the truck. As for the lines, there is one about a 1/3 way up from the bottom that lines up with the truck. There is also a line (seam if you will) just below the top of the bed, thats lines up with the shape of the truck door. The top of the bed is about 4 inches below the rear window. I guess if we all liked 'em built the same way, this would be a boring forum.

[Truck Dr.]

Looks great IMO.


Dave

[mr48chev]

I thought about doing it years ago and even had a short bed truck that I was going to do it to and then I found a proper step side and shortly after setting it on the truck someone decided that I needed a hand full of cash and he needed the truck.

I'd still do it to build a slick little daily commuter truck.
I honestly never did notice the big difference in the wheel well openings before though. That would have to be changed.

[woodman13]

If you look at lots of older cars and trucks from the early to late 60's you will see that many of them do not have matching wheel well openings. I own a 1971 SWB and never noticed the wheel well opening being different until someone mentioned it. I like it because it is rust free and straight and cheaper than a SWB bed from a 1970s truck. When you put the right roll pan and tail lights on it it looks good and saves you lots of time jacking with a rust and dented old bed. IMHO and because I own one.

[sonseeker]

What the heck is a roll pan,and where do you get such a beast?

[72BlckButy]

A roll pan is a piece of sheetmetal which takes the place of the front or rear bumpers, and makes the truck more "seamless" so to speak.

[sonseeker]

Where do you find these roll pans,lmc?

[crites_72]

that orange truck is the nicest truck i've seen with a later step bed on it. wish i knew how to make the back wheel arches match that looks like alot of fiberglass work.

[ner0]

its your $ and your truck but why not get a fleet side bed kit from LMC?

[72gmguy]

I just purchased a 67 with the later 88-98 stepside bed and was wondering if I could use the stock bedside fuel fill and remove the in cab tank? I saw that no one actually answered the original post and that chat revolved around the style of the bed. My bed is already mounted and I have to replace a sending unit so I figured I would try to relocate the tank under the bed and use the factory fill spot in the 88-98 bed. Anyone ever done it or have any ideas?

[Boog]

I think the gas fill door on the later bed is in front of the wheels. The tank will have to be mounted under the rear of the bed. Don't see how you could connect the two.

[sonseeker]

From what i have seen the answer is no you have to fill it in and acess tank another way. But hey i probably can be done,or someone on here has already done it. I decided to fix my short fleet and 98 stepside is for sale.