Late model bed on my 66

[66-PMD-GMC]

Does ANYONE have photos of a 90ish bed on a 66?
I bought a 96 bed and I am starting to have second thoughts.
I think it looks cool but something doesnt look right.
ANYONE?

[kalirodding]

No pics, but I've seen a couple of trucks in my area that have newer beds on them. Your're right, something does'nt look right. I'm not a fan of that look, but some people are.

[66-PMD-GMC]

I dont have the bed on the truck but it is sitting next to it and I think it's the different wheel openings that are throwing me off.
I have never liked the original step sides as they look better suited to the 59 and older trucks and look out of place with the more square look of the 60-66 cabs.
I would love a fleetside and would get one if the sellers had an affordable price on them...
It would sure help to see one thats done.

[allengator]

Its the tail lights that kill it for me

[markeb01]

Assuming you were asking about stepside beds - here are links to a couple of trucks with the late bed. I’m not a big fan of the look. I never really cared for the bed even on the trucks it came on originally, thinking it looked too pinched up in the back. Seems like the appearance would be enhanced with more conventional tail light placement.

http://www.carnut.com/cgi-bin/02/ima...all/all116.jpg
http://www.carnut.com/cgi-bin/image....all/all085.jpg
http://www.carnut.com/cgi-bin/image....ark/ark154.jpg
http://www.carnut.com/cgi-bin/image....k98/ark111.jpg

[Indian113]

Thanks for the link!

I like the way he ties it together on the blue one with the molding.

I really don't care for the late model boxes on our truck- but I agree it looks like our boxes were a after thought

[blackedoutharley]

The best one I have seen was on a dually that was (is?) owned by Rich Guasco and was used as a support vehicle for his "Pure Hell" AA/Fuel Altered.

He even added the body line from the bed to the rear portion of the cab and it all flowed together quite nicely. I will see if I can get any pics.

[66-PMD-GMC]

Thanks for the photos!
The wheel openings are more "squared off" on the bed but once it is the same color it matches better. Thats what I was hoping.
I have the later tail lights not the smooth ones shown in the photos. I like the later tail lights.
Very cool, I am excited to get it completed and start on my "burb".

[blackmopar]

i just threw up in my mouth

[DWitcher]

Don't do it man. Nothing worse than a late bed on an early truck.. . .Well almost.

[Captainfab]

I wouldn't do it. There is a '65 here in town with a sportside bed on it, and it looks like crap IMO.

[66-PMD-GMC]

Originally Posted by DWitcher

Don't do it man. Nothing worse than a late bed on an early truck.. . .Well almost.

OK, well here is where I am on this.
To me, it looks like Chevy and GMC forgot to design a stepside bed for the 60-66 trucks and then just decided to use the old 59 and back beds and frankly IMO they are butt friggin ugly on the 60-66 trucks. I think people are just accustomed to seeing them on the 60-66 trucks and thats why some people don't say anything.
As far as a fleetside goes, shortening a long bed version is OK IF you can find one in good enough shape to make it worth while.
I looked and looked for a clean short GMC fleetside and the only thing I have found in 2 1/2 years is junk or overpriced beds in "OK" shape priced the same as the space shuttle.
For example, I found a very clean, rust free fleetside that has about a 1/2 hour worth of body work needed and a wood floor that needs to be replaced along with the strips and a perfect GMC tail gate and the guy only wants $1200 for the bed..... WAY out of my budget not to mention the fact that after new bed floor and body work I will have about $1800 into a bed.
The 96 stepside bed has new paint that is flawless and came with 3 gallons of matching paint that is very near the exact same color I was going to paint the truck anyway. (Gunmetal Grey) I bought the whole package for $300 and it is a mount it, buff it out and go deal.
I just wanted to see what it will look like installed and the same color as the cab.
Oh, and blackmopar... don't swallow it back down dude,,, YUCK!

[kalirodding]

Originally Posted by 66-PMD-GMC

OK, well here is where I am on this.
To me, it looks like Chevy and GMC forgot to design a stepside bed for the 60-66 trucks and then just decided to use the old 59 and back beds and frankly IMO they are butt friggin ugly on the 60-66 trucks. I think people are just accustomed to seeing them on the 60-66 trucks and thats why some people don't say anything.

So what you are saying is that the newer style beds aren't (using your words) butt ugly on older trucks? Well the best part of it, is that it's your truck and you can do whatever you want with it. So it looks like you have made up your mind, so good luck.

[66-PMD-GMC]

Originally Posted by kalirodding

So what you are saying is that the newer style beds aren't (using your words) butt ugly on older trucks? Well the best part of it, is that it's your truck and you can do whatever you want with it. So it looks like you have made up your mind, so good luck.

Actually, no. I haven't made up my mind on anything to be truthful and no, it's not the bed itself that is ugly or wrong, it is that bed on the 60-66.
I worked for my Uncle Bill who owned a Pontiac/GMC dealership and he even thought the bed looked wrong when new on the 60-66 trucks.
Like Markeb01, I think the original stepside beds definitely look out of place on the 60-66 trucks but the mid to late 50's trucks look great with them.
I saw an 84 step bed on a 65 that looks pretty good and looks more period correct than the 96 bed I have.
I have a 63 and a 66 cab and chassis that I can use the 96 bed on.
I need someone strong to help me set this bed on for a test fit since it is painted and blemish free.
I asked for photos because seeing someone else's build helps me to make up my mind.
I really like the direction spuds is going with his build.
If I had a short fleet bed with a GMC or blank tail gate, the fleet would definitely win over any other option but as I said, I haven't found a good long or short bed in Arizona in my price range yet.
Hell, a nice bed without a tailgate would work too. I could get/find the tailgate later.
In any event, I am looking for a solution and the photos helped a lot. Thanks

[Chevy Fleetside]

Originally Posted by 66-PMD-GMC

OK, well here is where I am on this.
To me, it looks like Chevy and GMC forgot to design a stepside bed for the 60-66 trucks and then just decided to use the old 59 and back beds and frankly IMO they are butt friggin ugly on the 60-66 trucks.

and that is why I went back to a Fleetside Bed.

[losthope]

Originally Posted by blackmopar

i just threw up in my mouth

x2

[spudtruck]

I know that this is one of the most contreversial mods you can do to the truck. I did mine because it was economical and I want to see if I can make it look okay.And if I don't like the results I can change it to a regular bed when I get the money. I did shave the rear steps and am blacking out the taillights. They look kind of stupid now because I painted inside of where the light sits. The truck itself will be medium gloss black John Deere color and I think that the tail lights will blend in. I agree with Markebo1 on the lights.

I hate to even show the pictures now because it does look like a sore thumb. I like David Frieburger from Hot Rod and his saying "Dare to be different". Good Luck. I'd be happy to answer any questions you might have on mounting it up to the frame. Kevin

[daverod]

Spuds out of the closet.

[66-PMD-GMC]

Originally Posted by spudtruck

I know that this is one of the most contreversial mods you can do to the truck. I did mine because it was economical and I want to see if I can make it look okay.And if I don't like the results I can change it to a regular bed when I get the money. I did shave the rear steps and am blacking out the taillights. They look kind of stupid now because I painted inside of where the light sits. The truck itself will be medium gloss black John Deere color and I think that the tail lights will blend in. I agree with Markebo1 on the lights.

I hate to even show the pictures now because it does look like a sore thumb. I like David Frieburger from Hot Rod and his saying "Dare to be different". Good Luck. I'd be happy to answer any questions you might have on mounting it up to the frame. Kevin

What are the challenges of mounting this bed? Talk to me...

[spudtruck]

Spuds out of the closet but no one likes his style but that's okay

[daverod]

Thats OK I know your cool and I like the truck. Can't wait till you put the big potato back in it.

[spudtruck]

Originally Posted by daverod

Thats OK I know your cool and I like the truck. Can't wait till you put the big potato back in it.

Yep had to take it out because it was so cold up here it was turning into frozen tater tots.

[daverod]

Hope your getting some good ideas for your truck.

[k1rodeoboater]

I don't care for the newer beds on our trucks...but spud's has my interest
Posted via Mobile Device

[66-PMD-GMC]

Oh, and spuds.... I think I qualify to be in the dare to be different category building a GMC with a Pontiac motor and an NV4500 5 speed along with the 96 bed...
Yeah... That's different all right...