GMC bed size

[pmiller]

I have a 57 GMC 1/2 ton longbed. The truck did not have the correct bed. I know that there were 2 size beds, the 89" and the 97", can anyone tell me what the correct bed size is or how to measure? I do have some bumper brackets, but not the bumper.

[DennyB]

The only difference besides the bedsides was the length of the side steps.
This is what pushed the rear fender back for the longer wheelbase.
The 89" bed has steps about 24" long. The 97" steps were longer
Hope this is helpful.

[pmiller]

I think that I know what you are saying. The bedsides aren't different lengths, just the steps were, to push back the fender. Is that right?

[DennyB]

No, the bed sides are different lengths = 89" and 97"
The Trucks with the 97" beds had a longer wheelbase than the trucks trucks with the 89" beds.
This is why a 97" bed has a longer step than an 89" bed.

[DennyB]

Some other helpful info if your looking for a bed.
The same beds and fenders were used from the 55 (second series) all the way through to 1966

[pmiller]

Ok, thanks for the info. Now I have to find out which is the correct size for my truck. I know that the wheelbase is 123 1/4.

[Apache]

Originally Posted by DennyB

The same beds and fenders were used from the 55 (second series) all the way through to 1966

Actually they arent the same. They are the same shape (bed and fenders) but they are some differences. The newer models have lights in the rear fenders and also the bed is about 1 or 2 inches taller. Because my grandpa's 59 has a newer model bed on it, and even tho it looks the same, the bed sets up higher. I think the bed looks better because it hides more of the ridge on the back of the cab.

If you dont know what ridge im talking about, I can take a picture.

[Apache]

Here are the pics.

First one shows the light on the fender. (white one, rest are aftermarket lights) Second pic shows the bed and ridge I was talking about. My truck has a 58 model bed on it, and doesnt sit up that high. I have more of the ridge showing on mine then his.

Now that he has his fairlane just about finished. He is suppost to get this thing looking nice again this summer. The paint has faded and rust starting to show thru again. Of course, its been about 8 years since he has done any body work on it..so I guess its about time that it faded. He only payed $150 for the truck to start with (wasnt in good shape back then tho).

[DennyB]

Good info Apache, I knew about the tail lights but not about the taller beds.
How much taller are they?
Did they move the fender up too, or raise the rail over the fender?

Was the taller beds on add the 60-66s?

[Apache]

The bed on his truck sits up about 1 inch higher then the one on my 58. The gap between the fenders and rail seem to be just about the same as mine. If it is a bigger gap it wouldnt be big enuff to let the bed sit up a inch higher I know that. So my only guess is that the gap is about 1/2 inch higher and the step is about 1/2 higher then a regular 50's bed. I could be wrong on that, but thats my guess. The 1 inch difference has to come from somewhere, thats for sure.

The bed on his truck is off of a 65 or 66 I believe. The early 60's may have sat the same level as the 50's, but I think they were different also. But I could be wrong. I do know that atleast the 65 and 66 where a little taller.

[DennyB]

Have you measured the panels?
I wonder if the later model beds just have lower mounts, hence rasing the bed on the chassis.
I also believe there was a chassis change in '60

[Apache]

I havent measured the panels. I will try to and get the measurements up. I also thought maybe the mounts where lower, but then the whole bed would have to be moved up the 1"...and the bed steps dont seem to be off that bad from a regular bed's height.

Im pretty sure there was a chassis change in 60. I know the 62 we used to have down here had a competely different chassis.

[DennyB]

I think the 60-66 have very similar chassis as the 67-70s.
If I'm not mistaken they have both coil and leaf rears too

[Apache]

Both the bed on his truck and mine are around 30". So the inch differance has to come from the whole bed being raised up. If you look really close you can see the bottom of the steps are raised a bit...something I hadnt noticed before. So the inch difference comes from the whole bed being raised.

From a distance you cant really tell it, but if you look real close you can see.

[pimpallya59]

so you have two different size bed mount pads on those two different trucks only other diff would be tail lights

[Apache]

Yes. The lights in the rear fenders, and the bed rails that sit on the chassis are wider so it makes it sit up higher. Other then that, its the exact same bed (far as the height of the bed itself, width....)

[pmiller]

I'm still trying to find out which is the correct bed size for my truck. I have the 123 1/4" wheelbase. I've been doing some looking around and contacting other GMC owners. So far I found out that GMC made 3 different sized beds in 57. The 6 1/2 (swb), 7 1/2 (lwb), and 8 (lwb)foot beds. It looks like the standard trucks were the 6 1/2 (swb) and the 7 1/2 (lwb), and the blue chip trucks were the 6 1/2 (swb) and 8 (lwb)foot beds. Now, as far as I know, there were only 2 wheelbases, the 114"(swb) and 123 1/4"(lwb). That would mean the 7 1/2 bed and the 8' bed would have the same size steps. Now, I'm not sure if there is a difference in the frame lengths for the 123 1/4" wheelbase. If there isn't, then the only difference between putting a 7 1/2 foot or an 8 foot bed on my truck is the bumper brackets. Anyone have anything to add or comments?