Step vs. Fleetside - Page 2 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

GMC Jim · 11-12-2008, 07:45 AM

My 1971 GMC 8' Fleetside ( Recent paint)

PanelDeland · 11-12-2008, 10:02 AM

The best advice I can give is to look in the Gallery.There are tons of trucks posted there.It will give you an idead of what each wheelbase and bed option looks like and make you drooooooool.Then you will have an idea of what you want.Since this is a first for you it would probably be best if you bought at least the wheelbase you want and swapped beds if needed.Shortening the frame is not for beginers.
If you look for member Krue he has done an outstanding job of organizing the FAQ's pages so that you can find the write ups on different mods.
You can also see lots of trucks in the trucks for sale section.Pick what you like and enjoy.

68Stepbed · 11-12-2008, 11:53 AM

I personally like the stepsides better, but that may be because I have one. I don't dislike the fleetsides for any reason however.

If you're looking for a daily driver, I would rather have a fleetside with the steel floor. You could get a spray-in bedliner, drop-in liner, rubber bed mat, tonneau covers, and just about any accessory you wanted to make it more versatile. I know, from experience, the stepsides are VERY limited in accessories and cargo space. If you plan to keep it somewhat respectable looking and still use it as a truck, a fleetside would be a bit better. You can do the same stuff with the stepper, but the wood floor will get roughed up pretty quick hauling stuff.

Also, the 6-cylinder will provide enough towing power to haul just about any small load, especially with a manual transmission. They may tend to wease a little with an auto though. My recommendation would be to stay with the six and manual trans, or a V8 with either trans.

Here's some of my stepper.

glock35ipsc · 11-12-2008, 12:07 PM

Wow, maybe I won't put together a step bed to swap out! I just priced how much it would cost to assemble one, and it's about $500 more than a new short fleet bed! Didn't realize that, but I never figured adding the fenders into the equation.

But I do like the steppers too. 68stepbed, I love yours since the paint job! Blue rules!

Spray-Bomb · 11-12-2008, 12:11 PM

I like em both

But I only like 67 Chevys & GMCs, accept for 4x4s then I like either a 71-72 Chevy or a 67 GMC

kcjones · 11-12-2008, 02:11 PM

There are some amazing steppers in this post! I've always thought they look nice, but these make me want to ditch my long fleet and search out a stepper.

Step side vs fleet side, my take: step side gives you better "truck" characteristics. It's a smaller area mathmatically, but it's a lot easier to load, so you can often times get more in them. The fenders on a step side are much more susceptible to damage if you load and unload the bed. Long steppers are somewhat rare, too!

72BLUZ, love the truck, man.

68shortstep · 11-12-2008, 04:09 PM

Here's my take on it: stepsides were almost always typical work trucks or the "farmer trucks." You put the tall wood sideboard racks on, load hogs or a cow/calf in the back, grain, sacks of feed, manure, whatever. Much easier to load/unload with the smooth sidewalls inside the step bed.

Put a cow or a bull in there on a fleetside bed, & you're inviting a broken leg with them stepping/stumbling/slipping on the exposed wheel well inside the bed. That fatal mistake means they're hamburger or balonie now, instead of profit from many calves later.

Also, you might be able to haul more grain inside a fleet bed, but it's harder to unload.

Where I grew up in North Missouri, the fleetsides were almost always the "in-town gentleman's truck" & not the farmer's.

I haven't ever seen a correlation of geographic sales by body style, but I'd bet the steps way-outsold the fleetsides in the rural/farming states. I'd also bet there were a whole lot more long beds sold than shortbeds, in both body styles.

72BLUZ · 11-12-2008, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richard8971

that is one of my favorite steppers!

Sweet truck.

Don

how could you go wrong with a stepper???

hey thanks for the compliment!!!!!!!!!!!!!

plzsale09 · 06-07-2009, 02:15 PM

Some nice trucks boys or girls... i say you can never go wrong with a fleet or stepside they are all beautiful.

**special-K** · 06-07-2009, 05:23 PM

Amen.

Shyguy · 06-07-2009, 08:16 PM

Saturday I went to a car show in Oran, Missouri. All I saw was fleetside trucks. There were around 12 '67-72trucks there.

I like all '67-72 trucks, but for me I feel the need to be different for some reason and both my trucks of that era are step-sides, one long and one short.

Of course I am also unique in that I like the old 4 speed transmissions. My short stepper has a l-6 with the 4 speed and my long stepper has a 350 with the 4 speed.

My son has a bunch of these trucks and likes fleet-sides with 3 speeds or automatics.

It just comes down to what a person is going to use the truck for and what look appeals to you.

Around here long fleets are more plentiful.

I had a hard time finding a lwb stepper. It is roadworthy, but this year I am starting to restore it.

Danny

jim zag · 06-08-2009, 05:29 AM

You GUYS just do not get it!!! YOU SHOULD HAVE ONE OF EACH!!!! I want a long fleet with a 383 STROKER to use as a DAILY DRIVER and a short stepper with a 489 BIG BLOCK STROKER for a trip to a show or a CRUISE NIGHT!!!! You need MORE TRUCKS!!!!

Longhorn Man · 06-08-2009, 05:42 AM

longhorns is where it's at.

Shyguy · 06-08-2009, 08:30 AM

I would love to own a LongHorn stepper, but they I have never seen a LongHorn around here of any bed configuration.

Danny

**CPNE** · 06-08-2009, 09:41 AM

There are no Longhorn Stepsides, they do them 6 inches better! A single rear wheel 133 inch wheelbase 1 ton stepside came with a 9 foot bed! All other 127 inch wheelbase configurations (1/2 & 3/4 ton) had 8 foot beds

Longhorn Man · 06-08-2009, 04:08 PM

cpne is right. longhorns were fleetside trucks. The 9 foot stepsides were never given a special name, nor were they marketed as anything special.

BossHogg69 · 06-08-2009, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jim zag

You GUYS just do not get it!!! YOU SHOULD HAVE ONE OF EACH!!!! I want a long fleet with a 383 STROKER to use as a DAILY DRIVER and a short stepper with a 489 BIG BLOCK STROKER for a trip to a show or a CRUISE NIGHT!!!! You need MORE TRUCKS!!!!

Can I get an AMEN???!!!!!

11-12-2008, 07:45 AM	#26
GMC Jim Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 901	Re: Step vs. Fleetside My 1971 GMC 8' Fleetside ( Recent paint) Attached Images __________________ '71 GMC;fleetside;PB/PS/AC/CC/402 Eng./Custom Paint/110,000act miles/3 fuel tanks(52gal). Last edited by GMC Jim; 11-12-2008 at 07:46 AM.

11-12-2008, 10:02 AM	#27
PanelDeland I am a Referee of life. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Greensboro N.C. Posts: 13,993	Re: Step vs. Fleetside The best advice I can give is to look in the Gallery.There are tons of trucks posted there.It will give you an idead of what each wheelbase and bed option looks like and make you drooooooool.Then you will have an idea of what you want.Since this is a first for you it would probably be best if you bought at least the wheelbase you want and swapped beds if needed.Shortening the frame is not for beginers. If you look for member Krue he has done an outstanding job of organizing the FAQ's pages so that you can find the write ups on different mods. You can also see lots of trucks in the trucks for sale section.Pick what you like and enjoy. __________________ The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil"

11-12-2008, 11:53 AM	#28
68Stepbed Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: 10-Uh-See Posts: 5,609	Re: Step vs. Fleetside I personally like the stepsides better, but that may be because I have one. I don't dislike the fleetsides for any reason however. If you're looking for a daily driver, I would rather have a fleetside with the steel floor. You could get a spray-in bedliner, drop-in liner, rubber bed mat, tonneau covers, and just about any accessory you wanted to make it more versatile. I know, from experience, the stepsides are VERY limited in accessories and cargo space. If you plan to keep it somewhat respectable looking and still use it as a truck, a fleetside would be a bit better. You can do the same stuff with the stepper, but the wood floor will get roughed up pretty quick hauling stuff. Also, the 6-cylinder will provide enough towing power to haul just about any small load, especially with a manual transmission. They may tend to wease a little with an auto though. My recommendation would be to stay with the six and manual trans, or a V8 with either trans. Here's some of my stepper. __________________ Matt 68 C10 stepside, LS1/700R4, TCI Engineering suspension system Last edited by 68Stepbed; 11-12-2008 at 11:56 AM.

11-12-2008, 12:07 PM	#29
glock35ipsc Next project: 1970 K10 Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Fort Collins, Colo 80524 Posts: 6,685	Re: Step vs. Fleetside Wow, maybe I won't put together a step bed to swap out! I just priced how much it would cost to assemble one, and it's about $500 more than a new short fleet bed! Didn't realize that, but I never figured adding the fenders into the equation. But I do like the steppers too. 68stepbed, I love yours since the paint job! Blue rules! __________________ *Bob* 1970 Chevy K10 LWB "Goldie" 350/TH350 *next project!!* 1981 Chevy C10 LWB 355/TH350 - My son's truck LS SWAP FORUM! Tons of LS swap info here! PLEASE CLICK HERE TO SUPPORT THE GREATEST BOARD ON THE NET! CLICK HERE FOR THE FAQ INDEX by KRUE

11-12-2008, 12:11 PM	#30
Spray-Bomb Texas Big Wig Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Mineola, Texas Posts: 5,620	Re: Step vs. Fleetside I like em both But I only like 67 Chevys & GMCs, accept for 4x4s then I like either a 71-72 Chevy or a 67 GMC __________________ Just not low enough... ----------------------------- Sinister Killer Last edited by Spray-Bomb; 11-12-2008 at 12:11 PM.

11-12-2008, 02:11 PM	#31
kcjones I wish I was a cowboy Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Rohnert Park, CA Posts: 409	Re: Step vs. Fleetside There are some amazing steppers in this post! I've always thought they look nice, but these make me want to ditch my long fleet and search out a stepper. Step side vs fleet side, my take: step side gives you better "truck" characteristics. It's a smaller area mathmatically, but it's a lot easier to load, so you can often times get more in them. The fenders on a step side are much more susceptible to damage if you load and unload the bed. Long steppers are somewhat rare, too! 72BLUZ, love the truck, man. __________________ -Kris Met list: Cyclone,Wilson,TranzAm,extd56,hotrodhomi,mnky30,Rokcrln,Brad,JerryJones(well, his truck anyway).

11-12-2008, 04:09 PM	#32
68shortstep Looks good at 20-ft ..... Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Mtn Home, AR Posts: 707	Re: Step vs. Fleetside Here's my take on it: stepsides were almost always typical work trucks or the "farmer trucks." You put the tall wood sideboard racks on, load hogs or a cow/calf in the back, grain, sacks of feed, manure, whatever. Much easier to load/unload with the smooth sidewalls inside the step bed. Put a cow or a bull in there on a fleetside bed, & you're inviting a broken leg with them stepping/stumbling/slipping on the exposed wheel well inside the bed. That fatal mistake means they're hamburger or balonie now, instead of profit from many calves later. Also, you might be able to haul more grain inside a fleet bed, but it's harder to unload. Where I grew up in North Missouri, the fleetsides were almost always the "in-town gentleman's truck" & not the farmer's. I haven't ever seen a correlation of geographic sales by body style, but I'd bet the steps way-outsold the fleetsides in the rural/farming states. I'd also bet there were a whole lot more long beds sold than shortbeds, in both body styles. Last edited by 68shortstep; 11-12-2008 at 04:11 PM.

06-07-2009, 02:15 PM	#34
plzsale09 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Dallas, Ga Posts: 559	Re: Step vs. Fleetside Some nice trucks boys or girls... i say you can never go wrong with a fleet or stepside they are all beautiful. Last edited by Longhorn Man; 06-07-2009 at 02:48 PM. Reason: removed wtb

06-07-2009, 05:23 PM	#35
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,859	Re: Step vs. Fleetside Amen. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

06-07-2009, 08:16 PM	#36
Shyguy Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Southeast Missouri Posts: 2,436	Re: Step vs. Fleetside Saturday I went to a car show in Oran, Missouri. All I saw was fleetside trucks. There were around 12 '67-72trucks there. I like all '67-72 trucks, but for me I feel the need to be different for some reason and both my trucks of that era are step-sides, one long and one short. Of course I am also unique in that I like the old 4 speed transmissions. My short stepper has a l-6 with the 4 speed and my long stepper has a 350 with the 4 speed. My son has a bunch of these trucks and likes fleet-sides with 3 speeds or automatics. It just comes down to what a person is going to use the truck for and what look appeals to you. Around here long fleets are more plentiful. I had a hard time finding a lwb stepper. It is roadworthy, but this year I am starting to restore it. Danny Attached Images __________________ '67 Chevy C-20 short stepper - build complete, 454/SM-465. '75 C-30 Single Cab DRW-350 small block/NP-435. '77 GMC-6500 Dump Truck, 427 Tall Deck. '92 GMC K-3500 Duallie, 454/4L80E.

06-08-2009, 05:29 AM	#37
jim zag ENGINE BUILDER Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Shortsville n.y. Posts: 344	Re: Step vs. Fleetside You GUYS just do not get it!!! YOU SHOULD HAVE ONE OF EACH!!!! I want a long fleet with a 383 STROKER to use as a DAILY DRIVER and a short stepper with a 489 BIG BLOCK STROKER for a trip to a show or a CRUISE NIGHT!!!! You need MORE TRUCKS!!!! __________________ JIM ZAG

06-08-2009, 05:42 AM	#38
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: Step vs. Fleetside longhorns is where it's at.

06-08-2009, 08:30 AM	#39
Shyguy Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Southeast Missouri Posts: 2,436	Re: Step vs. Fleetside I would love to own a LongHorn stepper, but they I have never seen a LongHorn around here of any bed configuration. Danny __________________ '67 Chevy C-20 short stepper - build complete, 454/SM-465. '75 C-30 Single Cab DRW-350 small block/NP-435. '77 GMC-6500 Dump Truck, 427 Tall Deck. '92 GMC K-3500 Duallie, 454/4L80E.

06-08-2009, 09:41 AM	#40
CPNE Resident Curmudgeon Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: NH Posts: 6,664	Re: Step vs. Fleetside There are no Longhorn Stepsides, they do them 6 inches better! A single rear wheel 133 inch wheelbase 1 ton stepside came with a 9 foot bed! All other 127 inch wheelbase configurations (1/2 & 3/4 ton) had 8 foot beds __________________ Currently on or near the homestead: 67 Chevy SWB 2WD stepside 350/3 on tree (Pat's) 67 GMC SWB 2WD Fleet 402/auto (Brian's under construction) 67 Chevy 3/4 ton 2WD 402/auto (Business Hauler) 67 Chevy 1 ton dually 2WD 396/4 speed (Former business hauler, Needs TLC) 68 Chevy 1/2 ton Suburban 2WD 250 six/3 on tree (Brian's Needs TLC) 70 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD 350/4 speed (Pat's - Disguised as a 68 GMC) 71 Chevy SWB stepside (Crushed by tree - parts donor) 72 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD (Parts donor) 72 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD Suburban (Parts Donor) 72 GMC 3/4 ton 4WD 292 six/4 speed (Mine - Disguised as a 67 GMC) 81 GMC 4WD Dually Dump Body 350/4 speed (Business Hauler) 82 Camaro Z/28 355/Super T-10 (Pat's toy) 93 Caprice 9C1 (Brian's Cop Car) 02 Toyota Camry (Reliable but a souless steel and plastic hulk) 2011 2SS RS Camaro M6 Factory Hurst Shifter Maybe I need to sell some of this crap Yet another Bozo with a sawz-all

06-08-2009, 04:08 PM	#41
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: Step vs. Fleetside cpne is right. longhorns were fleetside trucks. The 9 foot stepsides were never given a special name, nor were they marketed as anything special.



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