What's wrong with long beds?

[64longbed]

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[TBONE1964]

When I was a kid about 30 yrs ago having a long bed was something that grandpa's would drive and the short bed was for the younger guys. They were (seemed to be) a lot more rare back then and for that reason were always cool. I do own a 64 short bed and I do like the looks of it. I would have bought it even if it was a long bed. I also own a 72 Cheyenne that is a long bed.

So to answer your question, not a thing is wrong with a long bed in my opinion.

Have a great holiday
Tom

[64longbed]

I like the history lesson, thanks Tom ! And a great holiday to you
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[markeb01]

That's my experience too. When these trucks were new the popularity of "personal truck vehicles" was still several years in the future. My observation was the popularity of pickup trucks for primary daily transportation really exploded in 1973. All of a sudden it was cool to only own a truck.

Back when the 60-66 series were produced they were still basic trucks. Young guys could convert a short bed stepside into a hot rod with very little effort or money so they became popular. Long beds were for old men with campers, or basic fleet vehicles.

Now that these trucks are at least 46 years old, most of the long bed stigma has dissipated, especially with the overall popularity of pickup trucks in general.

[FetchMeAPepsi]

The only thing I find wrong with a long bed (fleetside) is that it looks a little tail-heavy and they're harder to park in the econobox style parking spots that are everywhere now.

Longbed stepsides look great but again there's the parking issue. Mine's a 4wd though so I appreciate the extra reach for offroading.

Also, assuming the same suspension, longboxes will have a much smoother ride than shortboxes. Great for longer trips or rough roads. Here in OKC we barely know how to make concrete. All of our roads are rough.

[McCoyAZ]

They never were and still are not "cool"

Short steppers....now THAT's cool.

[oem4me]

Originally Posted by McCoyAZ

They never were and still are not "cool"

Short steppers....now THAT's cool.

Yep, nothing cooler than a half a truck. ...Wait, what'd he say?
Partial to the long wide ones myself. I know shorties are more popular, but a long bed is much more useful, and useful is where it's at in a truck. Just my 2 cents.

[PAPA KENT]

i had a few shortboxes 30-35 years ago when i was young they looked cool but i grew tired of them quickly,the ride is harsh and your hauling is limited.personally if the ride and stance is right i enjoy the sleek smooth look of a longbox.nothing against a shorty but i don't prefer them.as far as mccoys comment all old "antique vehicles" are cool! if it's a rambler or a edsel if they survive all these years and they all have style regardless of what it is. so to answer the topic here,there's nothing wrong with a longbox.just different likes and dislikes.

[Auctioneerhere]

I prefer the long beds. I just never was a short bed lover.

[64longbed]

Keep it coming guys! I really like my long bed!
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[Ram]

My dad and I got into an argument about long beds the other day. He says long beds don't look "mean and aggressive," and like Pepsi said, they're harder to park. Especially for an old fart like him.
I personally like the look of long beds better. They look more like a truck to me or something, and of course the extra bed space helps.

[LostMy65]

I always felt the long fleet looked a little long, and the short fleet looked a little short.
I know its been discussed in these forums but I still haven't seen one - A Fleetside with a 7' bed.
I'd really like to see what one might look like.
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[bk2life]

long bed =crew cab

short bed =street machine

long bed is a work truck, short bed is something you go pick up that hottie down the block with..

[MikeS.]

I've always been a LB guy. My favorite is a LB with a BBW.

[ChiefRocka]

I like them both.

However, the short bed just doesn't look right ... almost too short.

Schlong and low !

My old POS ....

[Grizz1963]

Interesting discussion this.

I prefer the look of a working LWB truck, but for my own use here on Mud Island, where parking spaces are still the same as they were in the 70's and made for Mini's and Morris minors a SWB Fleet gets my vote.

I guess I will be voting with my wallet and that will be SWB Fleetside.

All that said, step, fleet, SWb, LWB can all be made to look great with the right ingredients.

[63burban4x4]

You gotta be kidding....every one of them is cool! Long bed, short bed, fleet, step, flatbed, utility. Big window, small window, no windows! Sitting high, sitting low, stock, custom..... It's OK to have a favorite (mine just happens to be a nice stock looking suburban 4x4) but these things are 50 years old, and that makes 'em all good in my book!

Anybody notice the green utility bodied custom cab on the last "Vegas"? If I was still working, I'd love an early utility! Pretty classy.

[Indian113]

I'm like Jesus " I love them ALL"

[jonzcustomshop]

I see lots of pics of shorts, and they almost always look good, but when I see a short (fleet) in real life... I just don't care for them, they look stubby, and out of proportion... then back to a pic and they look fine.... wierd.

short steps look ok,
and long steps... in real life they look ok, but not good in pics....

so for me long bed is where it is at.

[chevyrestoguy]

I've had 'em all, and I love 'em all.

The short ones tend to make the best hot rods, and the long ones come in super-handy if you've got to go to Home Depot and pick up some plywood or you have to load up the bike and take it somewhere.

For everyday use, it's hard to beat the longbeds, but there's something about a slammed shortbed fleetside that just pushes all the right buttons for me.

[theastronaut]

Originally Posted by 64longbed

What's wrong with long beds?

About 20 inches.


JK, they're not terrible but I prefer a short/fleet. If you need to haul anything just leave the tailgate down!


The truck that got me into 64-66's was a longbed.

[ol_skool_chevy]

In my opinin long beds are too long from the back of the cab to the center of the rear wheel.
And short beds are too short and "stumpy" looking unless they are really Low.
I like what Mechanic77 did. He cut one foot out from behind the cab and made the frount of the bed same as the back, Its a Med. bed of 7 foot long. I like the proportions better. I look for Balance when looking at a car or truck. Proportion from to back
Same as my profile photo............

[Desert.Chevy]

Originally Posted by LostMy65

I always felt the long fleet looked a little long, and the short fleet looked a little short.
I know its been discussed in these forums but I still haven't seen one - A Fleetside with a 7' bed.
I'd really like to see what one might look like.
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I would also like to see one.

Originally Posted by ol_skool_chevy

In my opinin long beds are too long from the back of the cab to the center of the rear wheel.
And short beds are too short and "stumpy" looking unless they are really Low.
I like what Mechanic77 did. He cut one foot out from behind the cab and made the frount of the bed same as the back, Its a Med. bed of 7 foot long. I like the proportions better. I look for Balance when looking at a car or truck. Proportion from to back
Same as my profile photo............

I looked for the thread your talking about and had no luck finding it.
Could you post a link to the thread? Thanks.
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[ol_skool_chevy]

Originally Posted by Desert.Chevy

I would also like to see one.



I looked for the thread your talking about and had no luck finding it.
Could you post a link to the thread? Thanks.
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http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=441627

[Desert.Chevy]

Originally Posted by ol_skool_chevy

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=441627

Cool Thank You for the link.

Like a guy a few post back asked, lets see some side by side pictures long and short.


I like both, Long and Short just don't know witch one to get so I will be reading the replies to figure it out.
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