Need help with my 72 stepside gmc truck

[shagyteacher]

Hi all,

I have a 72 stepside gmc truck ( longhorn ) and i want to make it longbed . What i mean is that there are 3 sizes of that model:
( shortbed- longbed- longhorn).

The rear fender for all model are the same size and the different is the bed panel. See picture # 1,2 and 3

Picture # 1 is the sortbed



Picture # 2 is the longbed



Picture # 3 is the longhorn



My truck is same length as picture # 3 and i want to make it little short same as picture # 2. The rear fender are the same as for all size but the different is the (bed panel and step plate) . I dont know what is the length of the bed panel for the second picture or can someone give the website where i can buy bed panel same as picture # 2.

I have the chassis for the second picture but i couldn't find the bed panel

Thank you.

[SS Tim]

Not sure where to begin but lets start with the actual GMC Fenderside/Stepside models.

The shortest or SWB would be a C/K-15704 with a 115" wheelbase. The bed has an inside length of 78.12" and two stake pockets per side.

The middle size is a typical LWB, a C/K-15904 (1/2 ton) or C/K-25904 (3/4 ton). Both have a 127" wheelbase. The bed has an inside length of 98" and three stake pockets per side.

The longest was only offered as a C-36004 (1 ton) with a 133" wheelbase. The bed has an inside length of 108.25" and four stake pockets per side.

If you truely have a 3500/1 ton, then it has a 133" wheelbase and the shorter bedside and step are not a direct fit. To get a shorter overall bed the easiest way would be to bob you existing bed behind the fenders. The best choice is about 10" down to the 98" inside bed length you desired. This leaves the rear overhang about the same as a SWB truck's.
It is not uncommon but I hesitate to advise you to simply cut up a good bed. There just are not many out there.

[shagyteacher]

I was thinking about cutting but somerimes the cutting will not be ok.

Is there any website which can sell the reproduction ped panel same ad in picture # 2?

[SS Tim]

Yes the 98" bedsides are reproduced and several vendors carry them. My Southern Kentucky Classics catalog lists them at $525.00 each. You can probably buy an entire used bed cheaper.

[shagyteacher]

Tim thank you for your reply but what i need same bed panel length as picture # 2

[SS Tim]

http://sokyclassics.com/product.php?skcid=1000578

http://www.brotherstrucks.com/67-72-...tinfo/BS72L03/

http://www.classicindustries.com/pro...ts/110403.html

[shagyteacher]

Thank you brother

[special-K]

Longhorns were Chevy Fleetsides put on the 133" 1t chassis beginning in '68. Since way back a pickup was what we generically call "Stepsides", that's it till the end of the '50s when wide beds were introduced. What you have is a C3500 pickup...that's it! The GMCs were known as Fendersides, once wide beds were introduced.

Your bed is rare and sought after because it is not reproduced. Don't cut it! Can't you just get used to looking at your far more unique 9' bed that was the top dog of pickups from way back but only produced up through '72? You have a piece of real truck history and all the work involved just to make it into a far more common LWB doesn't seem worth it.

[Mike C]

Originally Posted by special-K

Longhorns were Chevy Fleetsides put on the 133" 1t chassis beginning in '68. Since way back a pickup was what we generically call "Stepsides", that's it till the end of the '50s when wide beds were introduced. What you have is a C3500 pickup...that's it! The GMCs were known as Fendersides, once wide beds were introduced.

Your bed is rare and sought after because it is not reproduced. Don't cut it! Can't you just get used to looking at your far more unique 9' bed that was the top dog of pickups from way back but only produced up through '72? You have a piece of real truck history and all the work involved just to make it into a far more common LWB doesn't seem worth it.

Special K is spot on. The good news is short step beds are fairly easy to come by and significantly less expensive than a short fleet. You will be time and money ahead finding a complete short step bed and selling your 133" wheelbase bed to someone who may (desperately!) need/want it.

[swamp rat]

Glad this is coming out, i thought it was a rare bed also, I'd stash them bed sides away until you find a buyer, i bought a second set of short bedsides for $125 thru my local Facebook C10 page about 1 year ago.

[SS Tim]

A couple of points, he is looking for 8' bedsides and specifically reproductions.

Apparently his current bedsides are beat enough (as most are) to be considered not repairable or modifiable.

If I understand correctly he has a 127" wb frame to build his project truck on.

The truck itself may be in Saudia Arabia and new commercial parts are often the easiest to have shipped internationally.