Question for the stepside guys!

[Steve Cole]

I ordered the "Chevrolet" decal tailgate letters from LMC (p/n 38-0141) for my '68 stepper. When I get it, the packaging says "1954-1966" Chevrolet Stepside. When I look up the part number I ordered, it says "67-72". My question is: are the letters slightly different for 1954-1966 vs. 67-72? I haven't opened the packaging yet but I can already tell the "E" is different. On the decal, it is rounded between the "fingers" of the letter whereas on my tailgate, it is more square. So, are the letters slightly different on the earlier models?

[n33k0]

I don't know about the letters from LMC, but the ones I saw on ebay were all grouped together in one 67-72 category. That lead me to think they were all the same for the different trucks in that generation. I know it's not the best source for information, but they fit just fine on my 72 tailgate, and they look great too.

Edit: just noticed you want to compare the 54-66 to the 67-72. I don't know about those

['68OrangeSunshine]

Chevy didn't change their stepside tailgate from the late '30s thru '87, IIRC.

If LMC's Chinese graphics 'artists' goofed the style, you could send them back and paint the letters in. Mine's done that way -- factory or PO, I don't know.
Prep the surface. Mask off the tailgate, except for the embossed C H E V R O L E T letters, fine trim your painting surface with an Exacto blade, and shoot it with your color [White, in my case].
No decals. Lasts a long time.

[Fitz]

Originally Posted by Steve Cole

I ordered the "Chevrolet" decal tailgate letters from LMC (p/n 38-0141) for my '68 stepper. When I get it, the packaging says "1954-1966" Chevrolet Stepside. When I look up the part number I ordered, it says "67-72". My question is: are the letters slightly different for 1954-1966 vs. 67-72? I haven't opened the packaging yet but I can already tell the "E" is different. On the decal, it is rounded between the "fingers" of the letter whereas on my tailgate, it is more square. So, are the letters slightly different on the earlier models?

Those guys should add another "C" to their name. If they did 'Lots More Chinese Crap' would explain both their logo and their business philosophy. At one time they were a pretty good supplier of mostly correct parts but they decided to go cheap. Far better to find another supplier than deal with them.

[Steve Cole]

Originally Posted by '68OrangeSunshine

Chevy didn't change their stepside tailgate from the late '30s thru '87, IIRC.

If LMC's Chinese graphics 'artists' goofed the style, you could send them back and paint the letters in. Mine's done that way -- factory or PO, I don't know.
Prep the surface. Mask off the tailgate, except for the embossed C H E V R O L E T letters, fine trim your painting surface with an Exacto blade, and shoot it with your color [White, in my case].
No decals. Lasts a long time.

Hi '68 Orange,

My plan was to paint the letters. I was going to spray the letter area white then carefully place the decals over the painted letters, spray the tailgate blue then remove the decals. The letters were to be used as masking.

Anyone with a stepside, look at your "E" and see if the fingers are rounded or squared.
See pics below. The p/n I ordered said "67-72"

['68OrangeSunshine]

Originally Posted by Steve Cole

Hi '68 Orange,

My plan was to paint the letters. I was going to spray the letter area white then carefully place the decals over the painted letters, spray the tailgate blue then remove the decals. The letters were to be used as masking.

Anyone with a stepside, look at your "E" and see if the fingers are rounded or squared.
See pics below. The p/n I ordered said "67-72"

Attachment 1308422

Attachment 1308423

Sounds like a good plan, but
3M blue 1'' masking tape might be cheaper, and not involve trans-Pacific container ships. Tape would be easier to scrape off of the undercolor, too.
Blue masking is the low tack tape. Tracing out your cut line with an Exacto knife gives a sharper line than a decal.

[Steve Cole]

Originally Posted by '68OrangeSunshine

Sounds like a good plan, but
3M blue 1'' masking tape might be cheaper, and not involve trans-Pacific container ships. Tape would be easier to scrape off of the undercolor, too.
Blue masking is the low tack tape. Tracing out your cut line with an Exacto knife gives a sharper line than a decal.

You seriously over estimate my taping skills!

['68OrangeSunshine]

Just my opinion, but I think tape is easier to deal with than decals. Are they the airplane model type- waterslide, or do they have adhesive on the back? Are they made to be painting masks or stay on the tailgate permanently?

[BugzC10]

Mine are paint, but they look to be rounded in the areas your talking about. Zoom in on it if you can.

['68OrangeSunshine]

Today I looked closely at the 'E's on the tailgate of my '68 Stepside, and lo, they were rounded inside. I had never noticed or paid much attention before. Have to work Sunday, but I will shoot a pic when I can.

[Steve Cole]

This is what mine looks like. If you compare the tailgate to the decals, the decals are much more rounded.

['68OrangeSunshine]

Some closeups of the lettering on the tailgate of my '68 Stepside. Fremont, CA Truck. Had this truck since '73.

Steve, is yours the original tailgate?