Short Step, or Short Fleetside — Which is today's King? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

John Gilbert · 06-30-2010, 11:57 AM

I'm getting ready to write a tech story on changing my longbed '68 GMC 1500 Fleetside into a shortbed. This got me to thinking about whether I should keep it as a Fleetside, or turn it into a shortbed Stepside. One day I'm thinking Fleetsides rule, and then the next day how good the truck would look as a Stepside — especially with a sidemount spare.

Back in the day when I still had black hair, and '67-72 C10's were pretty new the coolest thing rolling was a shortbed Stepside. I could be wrong, but it seems these days the short Fleetside is king.

Anyone want to weigh-in with their thoughts on this?

Thanks,

John

crawdadfox · 06-30-2010, 12:57 PM

Seems that the ol' stepside is gaining in popularity as of late! Rustspot has one of the coolest ones around, and with N2billet, lolife99 having bought a couple of real sweet "survivors" i'm sure this will help put a little of the spotlight on the steppers just to see how cool they look when done! But as far as the custom scene the short fleet will allways have a lot bigger following.

72BlckButy · 06-30-2010, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crawdadfox

Seems that the ol' stepside is gaining in popularity as of late! Rustspot has one of the coolest ones around, and with N2billet, lolife99 having bought a couple of real sweet "survivors" i'm sure this will help put a little of the spotlight on the steppers just to see how cool they look when done! But as far as the custom scene the short fleet will allways have a lot bigger following.

Agreed...

**DREW67** · 06-30-2010, 01:02 PM

I'm a stepside guy, however I do have the short fleetside too.

big_al_71 · 06-30-2010, 01:10 PM

Peoples opinions are going to be all over the place in this forum but in the real world with other car enthusiasts the fleetside SWB is king!!!!

68gmsee · 06-30-2010, 02:00 PM

I like them both. Fleetsides, because they were manufactured with more of the options that we want today and can be made to look sleek. Stepsides were more of a utilitarian truck but are sporty looking these days.

I sho' would like to find me a nice original 67 or 68 stepside that hasn't been rodded or cut but I know that's asking for the moon.

1968ratrod · 06-30-2010, 02:17 PM

I like both- but my favorite will always be stepside. I have a 68 & 69 currently. The 69 is complete but needs a total restoration, its resting out in the barn. My 68 is in my sig, weekend cruiser mostly.

JWall · 07-01-2010, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by big_al_71

the fleetside SWB is king!!!!

Thats my thoughts.

cam.man67 · 06-30-2010, 01:10 PM

I agree the stepsides in my area are gaining some popularity, but I've always personally been a fleetside guy. I think the line of the C10 re much cleaner when they carry out on a fleetside bed.

Shyguy · 06-30-2010, 02:16 PM

This is just my view on this, I like the 67 and 68 swb steppers real well especially since I have a project one.

That being said I like the looks of a lowered 69-72 swb fleet quite a bit.

Lwb steppers are great no matter what year.

Around here in Southeast Missouri all I see is lwb fleets in majority and some swb fleets, rarely do I see a stepper of any length other than my two.

There are a lot of good examples of all different trucks on here, so I guess it is up to what a person likes and what the trucks are going to be used for.

gkesseru · 06-30-2010, 02:36 PM

If your first one was a stepper like my 55, you'll always have a soft spot for steps......

stevencvn72 · 07-01-2010, 01:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gkesseru

If your first one was a stepper like my 55, you'll always have a soft spot for steps......

X2! '53 stepper was my first ride.

b&a72 · 06-30-2010, 02:37 PM

Fleetside all the way for me, never have been a stepside guy.

Gene · 06-30-2010, 04:07 PM

Like em both real well, but I gotta give the edge to the shortfleet because I like a 2 tone truck with all the trim, and well, steppers didnt have a lot of trim

67chevy1series · 06-30-2010, 08:54 PM

this is not my opinion but here in cali swb fleetsides are king there everywhere last car show threre was only one stepside and like 15 fleets even ask c10king

**70cst** · 06-30-2010, 09:23 PM

I like them both and they both have their personalities.

**KevsClassics** · 07-01-2010, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 67chevy1series

this is not my opinion but here in cali swb fleetsides are king there everywhere last car show threre was only one stepside and like 15 fleets even ask c10king

Yeah and C/10King owned all 15.

Fastfun · 06-30-2010, 09:22 PM

I like the fleetsides

tcb-1 · 06-30-2010, 10:08 PM

John,
you know better than to ask me...... I'm a bit biased. is your tech story going into CCT?

John Gilbert · 07-02-2010, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tcb-1

John,
you know better than to ask me...... I'm a bit biased. is your tech story going into CCT?

Hey Doug,

I've got to tell that I never thought I'd like the looks of a side-mount spare until I saw your truck. Once you lower 'em down, there's just something real cool about that look. That said, I think I'm going to have to steal your idea.

As far as which magazine I'm not sure. There's some dashboard stuff I'm doing to the '68 for CCT, but I might do the long to shortbed conversion in Classic Trucks.

*Shane* · 07-01-2010, 08:37 AM

every Tom, Dick and Harry has a fleetside SWB that's why I like the step sides ...

bigsnookmaster · 07-01-2010, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shane

every Tom, Dick and Harry has a fleetside SWB that's why I like the step sides ...

X-2 My first was a 67 long step, and my 20th one is a 68 short step. They all have style, no matter how you look at it, and I think that we have the best looking years that GM ever put out!

cdowns · 07-01-2010, 11:42 AM

some people like fat chicks others like ones with well defined curves // to each his own

C/10 King · 07-01-2010, 11:59 AM

You're right, In the mid 70's, The stepside craze was on! "Big Time" I wanted one so bad!!!! However nowadays, I've noticed after selling quite a few of these trucks, about 40ish, And I like them both,that the short fleet,at least here in California is asked for 4 out of 5 times. By the way, Are you attending the Brothers show? I see that you are walking distance.

**70cst** · 07-01-2010, 12:07 PM

There is no "wrong" answer. Some like step sides for various reasons while others like Fleetsides. The point is...buy/build what you like.

06-30-2010, 11:57 AM	#1
John Gilbert Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Placentia, California Posts: 567	Short Step, or Short Fleetside — Which is today's King? I'm getting ready to write a tech story on changing my longbed '68 GMC 1500 Fleetside into a shortbed. This got me to thinking about whether I should keep it as a Fleetside, or turn it into a shortbed Stepside. One day I'm thinking Fleetsides rule, and then the next day how good the truck would look as a Stepside — especially with a sidemount spare. Back in the day when I still had black hair, and '67-72 C10's were pretty new the coolest thing rolling was a shortbed Stepside. I could be wrong, but it seems these days the short Fleetside is king. Anyone want to weigh-in with their thoughts on this? Thanks, John

06-30-2010, 12:57 PM	#2
crawdadfox Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: New Orleans Louisiana.....a great place to visit but you wouldn't want to live here!!! Posts: 883	Re: Short Step, or Short Fleetside — Which is today's King? Seems that the ol' stepside is gaining in popularity as of late! Rustspot has one of the coolest ones around, and with N2billet, lolife99 having bought a couple of real sweet "survivors" i'm sure this will help put a little of the spotlight on the steppers just to see how cool they look when done! But as far as the custom scene the short fleet will allways have a lot bigger following. __________________ Down......with the sickness!!

06-30-2010, 01:02 PM	#4
DREW67 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Kansas City, Mo Posts: 1,029	Re: Short Step, or Short Fleetside — Which is today's King? I'm a stepside guy, however I do have the short fleetside too. __________________ DREW67

06-30-2010, 01:10 PM	#5
big_al_71 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: South Florida Posts: 11,375	Re: Short Step, or Short Fleetside — Which is today's King? Peoples opinions are going to be all over the place in this forum but in the real world with other car enthusiasts the fleetside SWB is king!!!! __________________ Get your facts first, and then you can distort them as much as you please!!!!!. Sylvester's build thread >>>http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ht=big+rebuild

06-30-2010, 02:00 PM	#6
68gmsee Active Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Centrally located between Houston, Austin and Waco. BCS area. Posts: 7,947	Re: Short Step, or Short Fleetside — Which is today's King? I like them both. Fleetsides, because they were manufactured with more of the options that we want today and can be made to look sleek. Stepsides were more of a utilitarian truck but are sporty looking these days. I sho' would like to find me a nice original 67 or 68 stepside that hasn't been rodded or cut but I know that's asking for the moon.

06-30-2010, 02:17 PM	#7
1968ratrod Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Lufkin Texas Posts: 171	Re: Short Step, or Short Fleetside — Which is today's King? I like both- but my favorite will always be stepside. I have a 68 & 69 currently. The 69 is complete but needs a total restoration, its resting out in the barn. My 68 is in my sig, weekend cruiser mostly. __________________ 1965 Chevy Suburban 2003 Chevrolet S10 2011 Harley Streetglide

06-30-2010, 01:10 PM	#9
cam.man67 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Jefferson, MD Posts: 2,397	Re: Short Step, or Short Fleetside — Which is today's King? I agree the stepsides in my area are gaining some popularity, but I've always personally been a fleetside guy. I think the line of the C10 re much cleaner when they carry out on a fleetside bed. __________________ '68 Dodge Dart 270, 225, 904, 2.76--"Lucy" 1996 Gmc 1500 Z71, 350, 4l60e, 3.73s 1995 Jeep Wrangler Rio Grande 2.5, AX5, 4.10s 1989 Toyota Pickup 22re, auto, 3.73

06-30-2010, 02:16 PM	#10
Shyguy Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Southeast Missouri Posts: 2,436	Re: Short Step, or Short Fleetside — Which is today's King? This is just my view on this, I like the 67 and 68 swb steppers real well especially since I have a project one. That being said I like the looks of a lowered 69-72 swb fleet quite a bit. Lwb steppers are great no matter what year. Around here in Southeast Missouri all I see is lwb fleets in majority and some swb fleets, rarely do I see a stepper of any length other than my two. There are a lot of good examples of all different trucks on here, so I guess it is up to what a person likes and what the trucks are going to be used for. __________________ '67 Chevy C-20 short stepper - build complete, 454/SM-465. '75 C-30 Single Cab DRW-350 small block/NP-435. '77 GMC-6500 Dump Truck, 427 Tall Deck. '92 GMC K-3500 Duallie, 454/4L80E.

06-30-2010, 02:36 PM	#11
gkesseru Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: California, Maryland Posts: 544	Re: Short Step, or Short Fleetside — Which is today's King? If your first one was a stepper like my 55, you'll always have a soft spot for steps...... __________________ 72 Fleet (died) 78 Step (sold) 55 Step named Fred (sold) 00 F150 68 Step (named El Scorcho by PO) Build thread for the new El Scorcho http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=392932

06-30-2010, 02:37 PM	#13
b&a72 Active Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 682	Re: Short Step, or Short Fleetside — Which is today's King? Fleetside all the way for me, never have been a stepside guy.

06-30-2010, 04:07 PM	#14
Gene Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Muskogee, Oklahoma Posts: 2,914	Re: Short Step, or Short Fleetside — Which is today's King? Like em both real well, but I gotta give the edge to the shortfleet because I like a 2 tone truck with all the trim, and well, steppers didnt have a lot of trim

06-30-2010, 08:54 PM	#15
67chevy1series Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: a t w a t e r cali 95301 Posts: 10,713	Re: Short Step, or Short Fleetside — Which is today's King? this is not my opinion but here in cali swb fleetsides are king there everywhere last car show threre was only one stepside and like 15 fleets even ask c10king

06-30-2010, 09:23 PM	#16
70cst Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: New Madison, Ohio Posts: 21,374	Re: Short Step, or Short Fleetside — Which is today's King? I like them both and they both have their personalities. __________________ A husband can be right...or...A husband can be happy. 67-72 Chevy and GMC Trucks...The Classic Truck for the Classic Folk. 1970 CST Two tone green, 402BB, 400 Automatic, Tach, Buckets, AC, AM-FM, Tilt, GM CB, GM 8 Tract, LWB, etc JOHN 17:3...The better side of "LIFE" Remember: Everyday is a good day...Some are just gooder!

06-30-2010, 09:22 PM	#18
Fastfun Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 615	Re: Short Step, or Short Fleetside — Which is today's King? I like the fleetsides

06-30-2010, 10:08 PM	#19
tcb-1 Nothing to see here..... Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Shawnee, KS Posts: 4,625	Re: Short Step, or Short Fleetside — Which is today's King? John, you know better than to ask me...... I'm a bit biased. is your tech story going into CCT? __________________ Doug THANK YOU to our American Soldiers & Veterans - POW MIA "You will NEVER be forgotten". The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not. Thomas Jefferson



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07-01-2010, 08:37 AM	#21
Shane Account Suspended Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: over yonder Posts: 14,270	Re: Short Step, or Short Fleetside — Which is today's King? every Tom, Dick and Harry has a fleetside SWB that's why I like the step sides ...

07-01-2010, 11:42 AM	#23
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: Short Step, or Short Fleetside — Which is today's King? some people like fat chicks others like ones with well defined curves // to each his own __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

07-01-2010, 11:59 AM	#24
C/10 King Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: A****er, CA Posts: 5,594	Re: Short Step, or Short Fleetside — Which is today's King? You're right, In the mid 70's, The stepside craze was on! "Big Time" I wanted one so bad!!!! However nowadays, I've noticed after selling quite a few of these trucks, about 40ish, And I like them both,that the short fleet,at least here in California is asked for 4 out of 5 times. By the way, Are you attending the Brothers show? I see that you are walking distance. __________________ C/10 Rene 1966 Short Fleet "The Hag" 1967 CST Short Fleet "Dark Poly" 1971 Short Fleet 1970 Jimmy Custom 2 WD "Golden Ticket" 1972 Blazer 2 WD "Retro Blaze" Last edited by C/10 King; 07-01-2010 at 07:32 PM.

07-01-2010, 12:07 PM	#25
70cst Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: New Madison, Ohio Posts: 21,374	Re: Short Step, or Short Fleetside — Which is today's King? There is no "wrong" answer. Some like step sides for various reasons while others like Fleetsides. The point is...buy/build what you like. __________________ A husband can be right...or...A husband can be happy. 67-72 Chevy and GMC Trucks...The Classic Truck for the Classic Folk. 1970 CST Two tone green, 402BB, 400 Automatic, Tach, Buckets, AC, AM-FM, Tilt, GM CB, GM 8 Tract, LWB, etc JOHN 17:3...The better side of "LIFE" Remember: Everyday is a good day...Some are just gooder!

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