Pro or con Late model step side bed

[El Jay]

To each his own; different strokes for different folks, etc., etc., etc.

It just ain't my cup o' tea.

But I'm not going to rip someone if that's what he/she likes.

[special-K]

I don`t care what he does with his truck.The only justification I understand is good beds are hard to find and cost more.The Spostside is a cheaper alternative that`s in,you`d think,better shape.BUT HE HAD A BED!!! So,I wouldn`t want him doing my dealing.He got screwed!

[70cst]

Originally Posted by 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.

Hey 68shortstep...nice truck!

Originally Posted by 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!!!

Bingo...we have a winner! Nicely said.

[BluTrukker]

I don't really care for it. However, if I had a rust shot bed and a fairly solid, but beat up cab on a wood hauler or a hunting truck i would probably do it. It would have to be a total beater that only gets used for rough work.

[see ten]

That's one heck of a funny sig ya got there ^^^^!!

[c10addict]

Well said see ten....I thought it was the coolest thing ever when I had seen the first one... Now I wouldn't have one in my garage.. I must say there is a member with an orange truck on here that has a late model stepside and it looks great... But he also did alot of mods to make it flow and fit much better... Anyone know the member or truck?? I am drawing a blank!

[tim21391]

my opinion is to leave it the way it is.. when i see those beds on our trucks.. i just dont like the round wheel arch up front and the squared one in the rear.. i like stuff stock

[joekewl_chevyfreak]

Its been said that Chevrolet done it right the first time

[mike nutt]

c10addict , i think that's my truck your talking about.

mike

[67_C-30]

Originally Posted by mike nutt

c10addict , i think that's my truck your talking about.
i built my truck to be different . i passed on a rust free step side bed and a very usable fleetside bed . if you see my truck in your town you will know it's mine, not just another nice fleetside. i get tired of ya'll ragging on the late model beds on these trucks , but some people want to be diffrent and if you don't like my truck , no big deal , get over it.
sorry for the rant. to each his own . go forth and build you truck just as you want it . don't let someone else tell you what not to do just because they don't care for it , if you like it , go for it.
mike

If you built your truck to what you think looks the best, then you don't have to justify, apologize or explain it to anyone because it is your truck built with your hard work and money. Its just when you do something that is drastic to a classic vehicle you are going to have a lot of people that don't like it. Its just the nature of the beast, I guess. There's some people out there who don't like how I did my dually, and I could care less. Personally when I see your truck my mind says "That is an awesome truck, except the bed", and I'm sure you don't care what I think and you shouldn't care what I think. Like uncle said on here one day "That's why we got chocolate and strawberry."

[jbristo67]

Originally Posted by mike nutt

c10addict , i think that's my truck your talking about.
i built my truck to be different . i passed on a rust free step side bed and a very usable fleetside bed . if you see my truck in your town you will know it's mine, not just another nice fleetside. i get tired of ya'll ragging on the late model beds on these trucks , but some people want to be diffrent and if you don't like my truck , no big deal , get over it.
sorry for the rant. to each his own . go forth and build you truck just as you want it . don't let someone else tell you what not to do just because they don't care for it , if you like it , go for it.
mike

Not ragging I just thought it was a horrible trade. He should have gotten more in return

[special-K]

As I said,do what you like.But,this is about trading a good original bed for a way more common newer bed even up?It`s just not a good trade,period.IMO,since I don`t like the newer beds,I would only go for the Sportside if I didn`t have a proper bed or money and patience to get get one.Even that orange truck,which is a fine looking truck that the owner did a great job on,I would like even more with a stock body.I never get tired of seeing just another Fleetside or Stepside.Personally,I don`t like a modernized look on any older vehicles.

I don`t try to bring an old vehicle up to date.I prefer taking myself back to the time of the vehicle.

[ChevLoRay]

Here's one that I nominate for the late model grudge award for abortion category....

[c10addict]

Originally Posted by mike nutt

c10addict , i think that's my truck your talking about.
i built my truck to be different . i passed on a rust free step side bed and a very usable fleetside bed . if you see my truck in your town you will know it's mine, not just another nice fleetside. i get tired of ya'll ragging on the late model beds on these trucks , but some people want to be diffrent and if you don't like my truck , no big deal , get over it.
sorry for the rant. to each his own . go forth and build you truck just as you want it . don't let someone else tell you what not to do just because they don't care for it , if you like it , go for it.
mike

Thats the one... Bad a$$ truck my man!!!!! Great work...

[whatnow123]

I dont' like the wheel arch difference between the two, and to be honest, I rarely like the squared arch on any car.

But back to late model beds, I've been looking at the ford ranger stepside bed and I bet it would look very good if you have the skill set to section the middle and make it wide enough. But that's probably more work than it's worth.

[71 lowrider]

Originally Posted by whatnow123

I dont' like the wheel arch difference between the two, and to be honest, I rarely like the squared arch on any car.

But back to late model beds, I've been looking at the ford ranger stepside bed and I bet it would look very good if you have the skill set to section the middle and make it wide enough. But that's probably more work than it's worth.

I have mentioned this on here before,but the late80's early 90's FORD full size stepsides have a round wheel arch and fit the chevy better than the late chevy beds.I dont have pics,but I have seen them before,in magazine pictures.
I

[Boog]

I am curious about those ford step beds on Chevys. I would like to see some. Not wanting to do it mind you but want to see.
You know the first few Chevs I saw with the late model beds on them I, just like many of you, thought dayem that's fugly. But some of them are done very well. Mike Nutt has by far done more work to his than any other I have seen and it looks better than any other I've seen. I belive much of his bedwork is captured in his build thread. His is not a bolt on. It is a custom.
I have a stock step bed sitting outside rusting away and I have to say I am wondering if I need to try to save it or look for a fleet or consider a later model sportbed. There are worse looking trucks out there...

[see ten]

Wheelwell problem...solved!!!

[Boog]

Oh and now I've seen. gulp, thanks Asa.

[retselgerg]

well for me its not a shortcut, i have the money to buy a new bed and almost did, but then i thought about the best lookin C/10 (and i do mean best) that ive saw, and i have seen alot through this site, ebay, car shows, locals etc and i couldnt take it off, i saw that truck when i was about 9 and never grew out of love with it, same color as mine, about the same ride height, dont get me wrong a slammed fleet is sexy but so is a slammed c/10 with a latemodel bed, now if you just throw it on settin on some 6inch wide wheels, setting about 2ft off the ground with a bonestock truck it does look slapped together, but done right it looks just as good as stock bed, but you have to get it right bodylines, rideheight, color, etc.........but in all honesty its hard to make a c10 look bad...at least were not driving fords.....lol

[weircc]

only way i would use a new style bed is if i was in a pinch older ones look alot better imo

[brad_man_72]

im sorry i thought you said your friend traded a good short fleet bed for a newer bodystyle stepside bed...... wait you did. OMG!

[magsnubby]

Mike,
Your truck is awesome. I'd roll in it anytime.