1959 9ft step side

[RedRoad]

Went to look at a 59 long bed that a buddy told me he was going to sell and the bed is longer than the typical 8ft version I am familiar with. I measured it and it is a 9ft bed but the rear wheels do not look centered in the fender and look closer to the front of the fender. Kind of looks like they put the 9 ft bed on an 8 ft chassis. What wheel base were the original 9ft bed chassis?


The truck is an ex government vehicle but is basically a primed shell. The original paint is showing through on the cab which looks like forest service green with an ivory roof which some how looks reflective but not sure. Inside the cab is still factory silver.


Plans would be a 4x4 conversion if I get it.

Any info appreciated

[OrrieG]

They made factory 9' beds with correct chassis, go to the link in my signature, it lands on a 56 page, scroll down to year index, select year than look for the chassis dimensions. That will give you the wheelbase number to check. Think they were only available in 3/4 ton +. Pic would be wonderful to see....

[RedRoad]

I would have taken a pic but its stuffed between some old vws and other trucks not to mention all the crap in the cab and bed.

I do remember the 3600 badging on the fenders as well as the top of the fender turn signal/stop lights (amber in front, red in the back) that Ive seen on other government vehicles.

I was able to find another thread with a bit more info:

Long Stepside 89": Length of bed wood 89”.
Long Stepside 97": Length of bed wood 97”.
1 Ton Stepside: Length of bed wood 107 1/4”.

Maybe its just the longer long bed. Ill go back and see if I can get to the vin tag and see the model and wheel base as well as get better measurements of the bed.

It does kind of look like this but I think the running boards in front of the fenders were a bit longer.

[dwcsr]

In 59 they had a 31 6 ft, 32 8 ft, 36 8 ft, 38 9 ft.
The 9 foot may have look like it didn't belong on the chassis. Sometimes for what ever reason the rear wheels looked to far forward. If you notice the AD pictured the wheel looks to far forward but its in the correct place as is the bed and fenders. We ended up moving it backwards so it looked better

[scmense]

Nice truck

[dwcsr]

Originally Posted by RedRoad

I would have taken a pic but its stuffed between some old vws and other trucks not to mention all the crap in the cab and bed.

I do remember the 3600 badging on the fenders as well as the top of the fender turn signal/stop lights (amber in front, red in the back) that Ive seen on other government vehicles.

I was able to find another thread with a bit more info:

Long Stepside 89": Length of bed wood 89”.
Long Stepside 97": Length of bed wood 97”.
1 Ton Stepside: Length of bed wood 107 1/4”.

Maybe its just the longer long bed. Ill go back and see if I can get to the vin tag and see the model and wheel base as well as get better measurements of the bed.

It does kind of look like this but I think the running boards in front of the fenders were a bit longer.

looks like a 1958 32 8ft the fender arrows are for 58 not 59. 32 would have had an 8ft bed, the designation 3100 3600 3800 went away after 57, the 58 and 59 used 31, 32, 36, 38

[1project2many]

I realize that photo's not the truck you're looking at but I have to say it's a great looking truck. I love those California mirrors that attach to the side of the door instead of the top. I don't think I've seen those before.

[_Ogre]

Originally Posted by dwcsr

In 59 they had a 31 6 ft, 32 8 ft, 36 8 ft, 38 9 ft.

dwcsr is correct, the 32 and 36 frames were the same except for the suspension
the 38 frame is flat all the way back, no offset for the rear axle

if you buy it, keep the long bed; even if you change everything else, keep that long bed