Fleetside Vs Stepside

[gale]

Originally Posted by AirSpeed

You should paint both of them, make a quick release mechanism so you can switch them out easy! Put a nice plug in the tail light harness...

That plug is already there from GM. I have a '67 C20 rust bucket project that started out as a Fleetside. I found a '68 C10 LWB step side rusting away in a pasture. I bought the bed and showed up with my truck bare. The owner and I managed to pick the bed off his truck and onto mine. I brought 4 new bolts with me just to get it back to my garage. Just as I was about to drive away I plugged my wiring harness into the one on the bed and everything worked: taillight, turn signals, brake light, and even the back up light.

[PAWS 72]

Been wondering which way to go myself. I had been wanting a step side for a while because there isnt any around me. But since I have one I dont know if I want one now or not. Trying to decide also which truck to do.

[SierraMtns]

So which bed did you pick?

Originally Posted by Hardesty454

So Im building a frame up. I have both a fleetside bed and a stepside in the garage. I like both. Both need body work which isnt a problem. The reason Ive decided to toss up a little vote here is Ive been looking around and I keep reading that you cant go as low with a stepside. Why not? How can this be fixed? Is anyone laid on with a stepside? Issues you ran into? I also feel like I dont see very many stepside builds out there which compels me to want to build one one.


Anyway,
Lets take a vote... Fleet vs. step and why.


Ps. Post some laid out steppers if you have em!

[Hardesty454]

Originally Posted by SierraMtns

So which bed did you pick?

Funny story. I sold both beds. When I get to that point I'll decide I guess. Still have no idea...

[68shortwide]

Lol after a year you sold both. Also for the record I voted Fleetside

[Fitz]

Originally Posted by Syndrome

Your wheels will hit the fenders with the stepside, you cut the fenders out with the fleet side.

Wheel clearance in a stepside and a fleetside are the same. If you run really large meats in a stepside, just tub it using fleetside wheelhouses! Besides, stepsides are just cool.

[BugzC10]

Originally Posted by Fitz

Wheel clearance in a stepside and a fleetside are the same. If you run really large meats in a stepside, just tub it using fleetside wheelhouses! Besides, stepsides are just cool.

Nice job on the tubs Fitz.....

[WIDESIDE72]

I have had two swb stepsides in a row now and have the parts for the third truck and it will be a stepside as well. I have bought parted and sold a few trucks and the fleetsides are always in worse shape. With the first two stepsides i was lucky that they were almost perfect. The first gmc i used all the oem metal. The second one (chevy) i to swap the tailgate. The third is going to be a hodge podge of parts from three or four trucks! None of them had a spare tire cut out. As a bonus, i keep the truck in my profile pic in my home garage. I have to back it in so my wifes car will fit on the other side. If i need something off the shelf on my side i can step in the back of the truck and reach it!

[flashed]

Its a shame you cant vote for both ,I have one of each and love them both .

[Kennuck]

I like them all but to me the stepside beds looked right when the front fenders were external to the body. Once they moved the front fenders internal in the mid 50's the stepside bed just looks out of place.
My 70 was a stepper she's a fleet now.

[nlped]

I've had both and loved em all. But on the 67-72's I personally like the SWB fleets.

[5567Cruiser]

I think we now need a poll on the SWB and LWB Fleetside as I tend to favor the LWB as to me it has a more proportioned visual balance especially with a 4/6 lowering job- just my old school opinion.

[67ChevyRedneck]

Ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...

[slomotion]

There should have been a third choice. No wheel clearance problems either!

[outdoorsman310]

Fleetside- more room and I prefer the appearance.

[Lou Boffa]

Candidly, the only resolution is to own one of each. I'm working on it!

[R.L.]

Got a step side, voted fleet side, I guess the grass is greener on the other side. My last C-10 was a fleet side and seemed like the people I ran in to liked a step side better. Now I'm hearing fleet side, hell I don't think people know what they like. I'm looking for a good bed to make a trailer out of that when I want to swap it out I can.

[nlped]

Originally Posted by Lou Boffa

Candidly, the only resolution is to own one of each. I'm working on it!

My thoughts exactly

[moggey01]

I have a 31" x 17" on a stepside. Bed is raised on the frame and fenders are raised on the bed. The fenders are spliced to move the body line back down. Ride is set at 6.0". I am interested in selling the bed if someone wants it. Its cut for floor and tubs now.

[Raider Rudy]

My experience with C10's goes back to around 1960 when my cousins & I rode around in the bed of my grandfathers 54. Since then I've had 10 of these classics between 60-72, both stepsides & fleetsides. I could care less about the practical uses of of these beds & I think most of the folk on this forum don't care either. I've had em lowered, stock & raised. Even had a 4X4. Right now I have a 71 short fleet & I just sold my 64 short fleet. I'm now in the process of acquiring a 68 shortbed stepside. I love em both, but if I had to keep only one I would keep my fleetside because I think they looks the sharpest. However, I don't have a problem with anybodys preference.

[Step-Ed]

I like the looks of a stepper

[juniorlp81]

I like them both but you don't see a lot of stepsides here in cali fixed up so I decided to keep mine a stepside. Don't get me wrong I love the look of a fleetside heres my stepper currently.

[Hendo67]

I'm building a stepper, but I personally like the fleet better. I think it's easier to pull off a great looking fleet, whereas a step has to be carefully crafted to get the look "right".
The other issue with a stepper is you loose a few places to put compressors, tanks etc.

[Matador]

I voted for the stepside. I have both currently. A 1995 Ford (Not my choice!) Flareside, and a 1987 Chevrolet Fleetside longbed.

The stepside is gorgeous! To me, they look unique and different- no matter what you do to them. The fleetsides are just more common out here.

They do have an advantage, though: parts. If I needed a tailgate for my Chevrolet, I could easily find one. As for a stepside tailgate or fender... that would be harder to find (But, it shouldn't be impossible). It'll just cost more.

So, if you have the money and want looks, I'd have the stepsides.

Oh, stepsides can do work too. I used my Ford to haul hay. It did just fine. You just can't find a cap for them to save your life!

[primetime]

I like the stepper only on early trucks to 67-68. but I prefer the fleet side on 71 and 72's. no opinion of the 69 and 70, lol.