Did chevrolet make a 3/4 ton short stepside ? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

mikep · 12-29-2002, 11:57 PM

I dont know that I have ever seen one. We dont see a lot of short steps around here.

GMC71k20 · 12-30-2002, 12:06 AM

SWBs were only half tons

mikep · 12-30-2002, 12:08 AM

Looks like I might have to do something about that then.

Hooter · 12-30-2002, 03:15 AM

hmm what are you concocting mike?

mikep · 12-30-2002, 11:09 AM

I have a preference for 3/4 ton trucks. I like the way they ride and if I ever want to haul anything heavy I can do it without trying real hard. I also wouldnt mind having a short stepside.

BUT short frames arent too common anywhere and I'll be damned if I'll pay $500 or more for a frame. The bed is another thing. I can get a hashed one with a wood bed and spend a few months making it pretty. Now 3/4 ton frames are a dime a dozen so I could always go back if I wanted . If I cut my frame in the classic manner like I have seen outlined on this board and lop it down to short dimensions I could weld it all back together and have a short stepside. It wouldnt really be ruining the value of the truck as theres no real premium on LWB 3/4 tons these days anyway.

Jus a thought so far. Dont have the short bed in my hands.

**Palf70Step** · 12-30-2002, 11:16 AM

I haven't ridden in a 3/4 ton model of ours, but comparing my SWB 1/2 ton to a LWB 1/2 the rides are so different. The LWB is so much smoother. I have a hard time imagining a heavier sprung vehicle being in the SWB. Comparing my 96 1/2 ton to a buddies 97 3/4 ton is a load of difference. His rides a lot stiffer than mine. The SWB might feel like your bolted directly to the frame with no springs or shocks, which might make the handling real tricky.

crazy longhorn · 12-30-2002, 11:31 AM

I agree, my bet is that a 3/4 ton shortie would be really stiff in the ride department! I have gotten "spoiled" to that old 133 base truck with 1/2 ton suspension......the old longhorn rides nice

**1971Stepside** · 12-30-2002, 12:35 PM

Mudder67's truck is a short step riding on 3/4 ton axles. His springs are probably as equally stiff, but he would have to answer that for you. Sounds like a great idea! Mudders truck is awesome.

**Desert Rat** · 12-30-2002, 01:21 PM

I converted a 73 SWB 1/2 to a 3/4 ton.stiffy,bumpy and not real nice to ride in.I used all the 3/4 ton stuff rear leaves,rear,whole front crossmember.i was going to do it to a 67-72 but not now.

mikep · 12-30-2002, 04:26 PM

Ive got the heavy duty coils in back now and if anything the ride to me seems a bit squshy. I just like stiff suspensions so this might be just what I'm looking for . Remember coil sprung trucks ride a lot different than leaf sprung.

palallin · 12-30-2002, 06:43 PM

Yes, there was at least one factory short stepside C-20 made. I've seen it, seen its data plate, seen its option list. It was '68, white over black with lower side trim.

cheyenne10 · 12-30-2002, 06:56 PM

68 stepside with lower trim? I have never seen trim on stock stepside. Would love to see pics of that. Trim would be on fenders and cab only. I always learn something new, can I go home now?

imaindianoutlaw · 12-30-2002, 06:58 PM

hum?

Mudder · 12-30-2002, 07:51 PM

One guy that had worked for a Chevrolet garage here in town for many years stopped by to look at my truck one day. First thing he said is, "They didn't make short stepside 3/4 ton 4x4's." LOL I did!

**breeh** · 12-30-2002, 10:42 PM

Mudder. yep, I have a short step 3/4 4x4 as well!

Bowed · 12-30-2002, 11:05 PM

I am making this change to my 67 C20 now .

Longhorn Man · 12-31-2002, 12:10 AM

The books show no such thing as a stock 3/4 ton short bed, nor side trim on a step side.
You guys have any pics of these trucks?

Hutch · 12-31-2002, 12:20 AM

I saw this ad for this 67 stepside which does appear to have the chrome on the front fenders and the doors.
It states in the ad that it is all original.
The paint scheme does reflect the 67 style with the window pillars being the body color.

Here is the link:

1967 Chevrolet

Longhorn Man · 12-31-2002, 12:50 AM

Some of the later 67s were built like that, and others were updated at the dealership with a kit distributted by GM at the dealerships.

palallin · 12-31-2002, 01:03 AM

OK: I had two trucks confused. The C-20 SWB Stepside did NOT have the trim; a different truck did.

Unfortunately, I have pics of neither.

12-29-2002, 11:57 PM	#1
mikep Used to have a truck Join Date: May 2002 Location: port orchard WA Posts: 1,552	Did chevrolet make a 3/4 ton short stepside ? I dont know that I have ever seen one. We dont see a lot of short steps around here. __________________ No truck :-(

12-30-2002, 12:08 AM	#3
mikep Used to have a truck Join Date: May 2002 Location: port orchard WA Posts: 1,552	Looks like I might have to do something about that then. __________________ No truck :-(

12-30-2002, 03:15 AM	#4
Hooter My other Love Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Castlegar B.C. Canada Posts: 4,083	hmm what are you concocting mike? __________________ Castlegar B.C.The great white North (Canada Eh!) Hooter_5@hotmail.com First generation Monte Carlo club pictures of my life

12-30-2002, 11:09 AM	#5
mikep Used to have a truck Join Date: May 2002 Location: port orchard WA Posts: 1,552	I have a preference for 3/4 ton trucks. I like the way they ride and if I ever want to haul anything heavy I can do it without trying real hard. I also wouldnt mind having a short stepside. BUT short frames arent too common anywhere and I'll be damned if I'll pay $500 or more for a frame. The bed is another thing. I can get a hashed one with a wood bed and spend a few months making it pretty. Now 3/4 ton frames are a dime a dozen so I could always go back if I wanted . If I cut my frame in the classic manner like I have seen outlined on this board and lop it down to short dimensions I could weld it all back together and have a short stepside. It wouldnt really be ruining the value of the truck as theres no real premium on LWB 3/4 tons these days anyway. Jus a thought so far. Dont have the short bed in my hands. __________________ No truck :-(

12-30-2002, 11:16 AM	#6
Palf70Step State of Confusion! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gulfport, MS USA Posts: 46,762	I haven't ridden in a 3/4 ton model of ours, but comparing my SWB 1/2 ton to a LWB 1/2 the rides are so different. The LWB is so much smoother. I have a hard time imagining a heavier sprung vehicle being in the SWB. Comparing my 96 1/2 ton to a buddies 97 3/4 ton is a load of difference. His rides a lot stiffer than mine. The SWB might feel like your bolted directly to the frame with no springs or shocks, which might make the handling real tricky. __________________ Bill 1970 Chevy Custom/10 LWB Fleetside 2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab - DD Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Bill's Gallery Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God!

12-30-2002, 12:06 AM	#2
GMC71k20 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: mass Posts: 1,277	SWBs were only half tons

12-30-2002, 11:31 AM	#7
crazy longhorn Fabricate till you "puke" Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ill Posts: 9,403	I agree, my bet is that a 3/4 ton shortie would be really stiff in the ride department! I have gotten "spoiled" to that old 133 base truck with 1/2 ton suspension......the old longhorn rides nice __________________ 69 longhorn,4" chop,3/5 drop, 1/2 ton suspension/disc brakes,1 1/2" body drop,steel tilt clip, 5.3/Edelbrock rpm intake/600 carb, Hooker streetrod shorties,2 1/2" exhaust/ H pipe/50's Flows , 6 spd Richmond trans,12 bolt/ 3.40 gears....

12-30-2002, 12:35 PM	#8
1971Stepside Almost Satisfied Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 2,932	Mudder67's truck is a short step riding on 3/4 ton axles. His springs are probably as equally stiff, but he would have to answer that for you. Sounds like a great idea! Mudders truck is awesome. __________________ 1971 C10 Stepside. LSx 6.0 with BTR Stage IV, Speed Engineering Headers, 4L80e transmission w/3200 Circle-D Stall. 3.73. Posi. Purchased this truck when I was 17. I started the rebuild (or take apart) in 1993. I have drug it around all over the country in pieces. Finally back on the road in 2021. "I can't complain, but sometimes I still do. Life's been good to me so far."

12-30-2002, 01:21 PM	#9
Desert Rat Senior Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Darrington, Washington Posts: 3,963	I converted a 73 SWB 1/2 to a 3/4 ton.stiffy,bumpy and not real nice to ride in.I used all the 3/4 ton stuff rear leaves,rear,whole front crossmember.i was going to do it to a 67-72 but not now.

12-30-2002, 04:26 PM	#10
mikep Used to have a truck Join Date: May 2002 Location: port orchard WA Posts: 1,552	Ive got the heavy duty coils in back now and if anything the ride to me seems a bit squshy. I just like stiff suspensions so this might be just what I'm looking for . Remember coil sprung trucks ride a lot different than leaf sprung. __________________ No truck :-(

12-30-2002, 06:43 PM	#11
palallin Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: St. James, MO Posts: 1,239	Yes, there was at least one factory short stepside C-20 made. I've seen it, seen its data plate, seen its option list. It was '68, white over black with lower side trim. __________________ '69 Longstep K-10: 327/SM465/T-221/Closed Knuckle Dana44/12-bolt.

12-30-2002, 06:56 PM	#12
cheyenne10 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Oregon Posts: 2,512	3/4 SNB 68 stepside with lower trim? I have never seen trim on stock stepside. Would love to see pics of that. Trim would be on fenders and cab only. I always learn something new, can I go home now? __________________ Bob

12-30-2002, 06:58 PM	#13
imaindianoutlaw GMC SHORT FLEET F/S Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT PENNSYLVANNIA Posts: 2,117	hum? __________________ CHARLES WADE HEIN HVACR FOREMAN. LEWISBURG U.S.P.

12-30-2002, 07:51 PM	#14
Mudder Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: East Central, MO Posts: 11,336	One guy that had worked for a Chevrolet garage here in town for many years stopped by to look at my truck one day. First thing he said is, "They didn't make short stepside 3/4 ton 4x4's." LOL I did!

12-30-2002, 10:42 PM	#15
breeh Recovering 67-72 Addict Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: North Bend, WA Posts: 1,788	Mudder. yep, I have a short step 3/4 4x4 as well! __________________ 68 Short Fleet 4x4; 427; BTO Level 3 700R4; NP205; Dana 60 front and rear; 4" lift with 35's; Disc brakes; AGR variable ratio steering; factory bucket seats; factory tach and tilt. "Friends call me cruzer cuz I like fast cars and fast women"



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

12-30-2002, 11:05 PM	#16
Bowed Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: where it's hot Posts: 1,059	I am making this change to my 67 C20 now . Last edited by Bowed; 12-30-2002 at 11:07 PM.

12-31-2002, 12:10 AM	#17
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	The books show no such thing as a stock 3/4 ton short bed, nor side trim on a step side. You guys have any pics of these trucks?

12-31-2002, 12:20 AM	#18
Hutch Registered User Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Grapevine, Tx. Posts: 2,142	I saw this ad for this 67 stepside which does appear to have the chrome on the front fenders and the doors. It states in the ad that it is all original. The paint scheme does reflect the 67 style with the window pillars being the body color. Here is the link: 1967 Chevrolet __________________ John Hutchison Grapevine,Texas 68 1/2 t swb 68 Mustang 69 Jaguar 71 1/2 t swb 88 Supra CompTs6m 93 Escort GT 2005 Corolla XRS

12-31-2002, 12:50 AM	#19
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Some of the later 67s were built like that, and others were updated at the dealership with a kit distributted by GM at the dealerships.

12-31-2002, 01:03 AM	#20
palallin Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: St. James, MO Posts: 1,239	Side trim OK: I had two trucks confused. The C-20 SWB Stepside did NOT have the trim; a different truck did. Unfortunately, I have pics of neither. __________________ '69 Longstep K-10: 327/SM465/T-221/Closed Knuckle Dana44/12-bolt.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.