Short Step, or Short Fleetside — Which is today's King?

[70cst]

There is no "wrong" answer. Some like step sides for various reasons while others like Fleetsides. The point is...buy/build what you like.

[gkesseru]

One of the biggest reasons for the Fleetside trend is that they can be dropped to the ground.

[nastyc10]

I'm a fleetside guy too. I know of about 4 or 5 stepsides in this area sitting in pastures rotting away but I never see any fleetsides (SWB that is).

[Bennett68C10]

I prefer fleets but wouldn't turn down a stepside if i had a chance to get one. They look cool as well.

[tcb-1]

Originally Posted by gkesseru

One of the biggest reasons for the Fleetside trend is that they can be dropped to the ground.

stepsides can lay frame and rockers as well with the right tire/wheel combo.

[Cole Trickle]

Its all personal prefference....

I have always been drawn to the short fleet.

There are several nice steppers on this site and done right I think they look great.

Next choice would be a long fleet

I personally think the long steppers are terrible looking. I know there rare but I would never consider one unless the bed was being replaced.

[Shane]

Originally Posted by tcb-1

stepsides can lay frame and rockers as well with the right tire/wheel combo.

and look way better doing it.

[bandit01ws6]

I like both thats why when im done with my fleet im starting a stepper. I love the fleet lines but agree that they are everywhere if you want to make a statment its easier being different with a step.

[Palf70Step]

Hard to say. Mine started as a step, went to a fleet, now back to step. I think fleet may still be the overall winner, but I am back to being a step man.

['72customdeluxe]

fleets are everywhere, steps looks more sporty
1.short step 2. long fleet 3. short fleet 4. pick another type of vehicle, not sure I would own a long step

[caminokid]

I like both short and long. After owning many...I have my LWB Stepper I wouldnt trade for any other. The more that is chopped into shortys....the more mine will be worth! lol

[tcb-1]

Originally Posted by caminokid

I like both short and long. After owning many...I have my LWB Stepper I wouldnt trade for any other. The more that is chopped into shortys....the more mine will be worth! lol

now that's what I like to see! a man proud of his lwb step! I salute you, sir.

[KevsClassics]

Originally Posted by 67chevy1series

this is not my opinion but here in cali swb fleetsides are king there everywhere last car show threre was only one stepside and like 15 fleets even ask c10king

Yeah and C/10King owned all 15.

[slicks garage]

Trust me..... I know everything. Just ask me. Prior to 1960 swb step. Post 1960 it is fleet all the way.

[pat 70/71]

I have one of each so I love em both! I also think the fleets sell for more $$$ just my .02 cheers, Pat

[John Gilbert]

Originally Posted by tcb-1

John,
you know better than to ask me...... I'm a bit biased. is your tech story going into CCT?

Hey Doug,

I've got to tell that I never thought I'd like the looks of a side-mount spare until I saw your truck. Once you lower 'em down, there's just something real cool about that look. That said, I think I'm going to have to steal your idea.

As far as which magazine I'm not sure. There's some dashboard stuff I'm doing to the '68 for CCT, but I might do the long to shortbed conversion in Classic Trucks.

[John Gilbert]

First off, thank you all very much for taking the time to add your voice to this question.

For some of you folks the loyalty to either style was almost like asking which is better a GMC, or a Chevy? Then others were torn between the two styles just like I am. Since what I'm working on is going to be for a magazine story, I'm starting to think it might be cool to build a C10 Convertible. By this I mean setting the truck up to easily switch beds from a Fleetside to Stepside. It might be a hair-brained idea, but what the heck it might be a fun story to read.

I'm going to head outside and take some pictures of the truck as sits right now. I have to warn you guys it going to be a pretty picture.

And thanks again!

[John Gilbert]

Man, I have to proof read my stuff better — I meant to say "it's not going to be a pretty picture"... You'll see.

[Dads69C10]

Interchangeable beds! Wow that would be the best of both worlds.

[Shyguy]

Interchangeable beds, that is one of the best ideas I have ever heard. I am not sure why I did not think about it.

I have a lwb '71 C-10 some days I would like it to be a stepper, other days fleet and other days fleet.

A quick change mount set-up could be designed to do this.

[Roland]

I thought about interchangeable beds, but storing "the other one" was a problem for me. I had a good long fleet that I had cut down and a good short step. So I sat on a bucket and stared at them for a while. Here's what I'm doing:

[John Gilbert]

Like I said. it's not a pretty sight, just a good old work truck. I've kept the '68 as a long Fleet for long enough to do some heavy work around my house. You can't beat a long Fleet when it comes to heavy hauling, especially something you aren't worried about scratching, or denting.

I've got a lot of irons in the fire on the tech story front, from a '66 short Fleet to my '05 GMC Sierra.

After I figure why I can't keep a clutch in my 2.2 S-10 (it couldn't be from towing a tandem trailer could it?) I'll get on the '68 C10 Convertible.

[dhaymaker]

I like both the Step and the Fleetside trucks. But, I liked having a stepside when all of my friends had Fleetsides. Of course I think, like most things with these trucks, it kind of boils down to personal preference.

One thing I'll say, and I would like to hear other's opinions on this, when it comes to selling a truck and you put a stepside next to a fleetside (and I'm talking about comparable condition), the Fleetside is going to bring more money!

[John Gilbert]

Originally Posted by C/10 King

You're right, In the mid 70's, The stepside craze was on! "Big Time" I wanted one so bad!!!! However nowadays, I've noticed after selling quite a few of these trucks, about 40ish, And I like them both,that the short fleet,at least here in California is asked for 4 out of 5 times. By the way, Are you attending the Brothers show? I see that you are walking distance.

You bet, I'll be at the Brothers show. The only time I missed it was last year when my dog Bongo died on the same day as the show.

And yeah, I agree it looks like through the years the trend went from Steps to Fleets big time. I was curious if this was a national thing, or if there was still regions where the Step stayed king.