Pro or con Late model step side bed

[jbristo67]

I saw an old friend the other day and he was telling me that he got a 68 SWB pickup that he was about to get started on. HE told me he traded off his swb fleet bed for a late mode step side bed. This bed was perfect and in primer too it was far from junk. I really had to scratch my head on this one, what do you guys think.

[see ten]

If he's happy, I'm happy for him....I think he's screwed himself in the long run though.

[big_al_71]

WOw!!!!! I guess his truck/his choice. I am sure that you are going to get a bunch of different opinions.....I know that I would never do that...

[Longhorn Man]

well, since you asked for opinions....
I think they look like crap on there.
Everyone raves at how the lines all line up... but... they don't. they are close to almost lining up. Then there's the wheel openings, and then there's the fact that the cab has angular lines, and then the bed has flowing lines... it just doesn't match at all.
I love the 67 - 72 body.
I love the 88 - 98 body too
I love JIF peanut butter
I love a big T-bone too
But I don't want peanut butter on my steak.

Now... with that being said, I am not trying to crap on anyone's projects. It's your rig, your choice, as long as you are happy with it.
It's just not my idea of money well spent

[67_C-30]

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

well, since you asked for opinions....
I think they look like crap on there.
Everyone raves at how the lines all line up... but... they don't. they are close to almost lining up. Then there's the wheel openings, and then there's the fact that the cab has angular lines, and then the bed has flowing lines... it just doesn't match at all.
I love the 67 - 72 body.
I love the 88 - 98 body too
I love JIF peanut butter
I love a big T-bone too
But I don't want peanut butter on my steak.

Now... with that being said, I am not trying to crap on anyone's projects. It's your rig, your choice, as long as you are happy with it.
It's just not my idea of money well spent

Well said.
Its been said that the 99 - 07 style looks better on them, but I disagree with that too! They look even worse on there IMO. Nothing beats the stock beds on these trucks.

[LowBow]

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

well, since you asked for opinions....
I think they look like crap on there.
Everyone raves at how the lines all line up... but... they don't. they are close to almost lining up. Then there's the wheel openings, and then there's the fact that the cab has angular lines, and then the bed has flowing lines... it just doesn't match at all.
I love the 67 - 72 body.
I love the 88 - 98 body too
I love JIF peanut butter
I love a big T-bone too
But I don't want peanut butter on my steak.

Now... with that being said, I am not trying to crap on anyone's projects. It's your rig, your choice, as long as you are happy with it.
It's just not my idea of money well spent

funny story about that, there's a place in town that puts PB on burgers. I was grossed out at first, but then I tried it, and Mmmmmmm. Delicious. Sorry to thread jack.

[Roland]

...Nothing beats the stock beds on these trucks.


I agree

[Skirkpat]

I like my trucks to look stock, I personally do not like th retro cars much either, except for the Charger 2 door, I will give it up to Dodge that MoFo does look sweeeeeet, and I dispise Mopar's styling overall.

[metalman1968]

Congrats to the guy that got the stock bed, I know a guy that did the same thing to a 51. Hard sell!

[69sixpackbee]

Negatory

[68shortstep]

I wouldn't take pot-shots at anybody's project, & mine's no show truck by a LOOONG ways, but the stock look is hard to beat, for me.

Unless it's lowered to get the stock "butt-high" look corrected. That's coming, when the budget allows.

[weasel29gm]

I wouldn't trade a good bed, but if a late was a good price. I'd go for one.

[67/72junkie]

I have only seen 1 late model stepbed on a 67/72 that I liked.The owner was a bodyman and he made a fiberglass mold of the 67/72 wheel arch then he grafted it to the late model bed .It really looked like it belonged there with that modification.

[enaberif]

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

well, since you asked for opinions....
I think they look like crap on there.
Everyone raves at how the lines all line up... but... they don't. they are close to almost lining up. Then there's the wheel openings, and then there's the fact that the cab has angular lines, and then the bed has flowing lines... it just doesn't match at all.
I love the 67 - 72 body.
I love the 88 - 98 body too
I love JIF peanut butter
I love a big T-bone too
But I don't want peanut butter on my steak.

Now... with that being said, I am not trying to crap on anyone's projects. It's your rig, your choice, as long as you are happy with it.
It's just not my idea of money well spent

Amen!

I don't get this at all. I've seen a few trucks done with this and I swear the owner is from another planet

[67ChevyRedneck]

Traded a good short fleet for it??? CON!

[72BlckButy]

I have to agree w/ Andy.... keep it original and don't dip into other years for sheetmetal.

[OARNGESI]

Originally Posted by 72blckbuty

i have to agree w/ andy.... Keep it original and don't dip into other years for sheetmetal.

but isnt that whats custom is all about taking what you like from a couple different cars to make the one you like i think it was a bad trade cause his bed was probally worth more but without pics of both beds that would be hard to judge either

[jbristo67]

Originally Posted by 72BlckButy

I have to agree w/ Andy.... keep it original and don't dip into other years for sheetmetal.

Or fiber glass for that matter

[jasons]

I've seen one where the front fenders were modifed with new style wheel arches to match the newer bed. This helped, but it still didn't look right.

[lostmya]

I'm all for custimizing trucks to make them cooler but changing the bed is just too drastic....just my opinion.

[orangek5]

(I'm not in fond of it) But To help understand why some might do this in my toughts and lack of talent. An install of a fiberglass bed is easier & cheaper then rust repair, broken & striped bolts and replacing rotting wood beds.

Tempting.

Close fit not but not close enough, my 2 ¢

But I like seeing any and all things done to these truck 67-72 chevy/GMC trucks rock regaurdless what is done so push the envolope

[OARNGESI]

Originally Posted by lostmya

i'm all for custimizing trucks to make them cooler but changing the bed is just too drastic....just my opinion.

yeah but swiching back is really easy just 6 bolts and reconnect the lights there definately a lot more drastic changes accepted like cutting a dash aint that more work to go back to stock than swapping a bed

[phipp13]

if thats what he's into good for him. i've seen trucks w/ newer beds and HATE the look. IMHO its kinda like the sbc in my 52 ford f1 except i can close the hood and you'll never know

[see ten]

Let me restate my position on this. The first time I saw it done I loved it! it was a dark green 71-72 with woodgrain lower moldings and rally wheels. I thought it looked sweet. As far as the wheelwells not matching...big whoop! Look at the 57 Chevy cars, they don't match. People that know virtually nothing about cars can pick a 57 Chevy out of a lineup. Now that it's been done over and over I really don't care for it. To me it looks just like what it is...a shortcut for someone that couldn't find or afford a correct bed. Now, if you drive your truck with it's late model bed to a cruise in, I'm not going to pick it out and make fun of it....That's not why I'm there. However if you come on this forum or in my garage and ask my honest opinion I'm going to give it to you. Does it count as custom? I don't think so. My wife drives a car that never came with a V8 that now has one, it's had the two halves of the hood welded together, extra teeth in the grill and an airride system that lets her lay frame...That's a custom! (Remember you can't spell custom without CUS ). I have seen the later beds with the rear steps shaved off and I will say that it is a huge improvement and helps em fall in to the acceptable category for me.

So, My opinion doesn't mean squat but here it is. If your budget is small to nonexistent and a later stepside bed will get you rolling...DO IT!! It makes me happy to see another old truck back on the road. If you're doing it because you think it looks better or custom...please don't.

I really don't care....I just like trucks!!!

[Longhorn Man]

see ten... you just said it better than I ever could.
tried reppin you, but it's too soon I guess. (just repped you on your photo thread)