late model step bed ? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**Boog** · 02-03-2005, 12:38 AM

We've all seen a few 67-72 trucks with the late model beds installed. Some like them / some don't.
The difference in fender well opening shapes stands out as much as anything to me. The older ones are round, the newer ones are more squared.
Has anyone given any thought to reshaping the rear fender openings to match the 67-72s? That would help that late model bed to blend in and look more like it belongs there. IMO I've only seen one attempt at radiusing the fenders but it was unfinished.

mac · 02-03-2005, 12:53 AM

I have a '96 step bed on my '67 now. My original bed was in bad shape and I got the new one for $400. Actually the wheel well openings don't bother me but the rear step does. I'm in the process of installing a step shaver kit right now and may take a look at the well openings before paint. I've seen the squared openings carried from the new bed to the front of a '67 and didn't care for that look at all. With the rain gutters taken off and smoothed the rear wheel wells don't draw too much attention. Thanx for making me take another look tho.

Mac
BlackBagged '67 ZZ4

68w/sbc406 · 02-03-2005, 02:03 AM

there was a truck posted on here where they had done the fender mods. there was a lot of work done to the whole truck. IIRC they lenthened the cab for more leg room too, i will look for pics

jay6891 · 02-03-2005, 11:01 AM

Hey Mac, I'm thinking of one day shaving the rear step off too. Post some pics when you get it done. I think it was East Coast Customs that had the shave kit that I was looking at. My bed was also trashed and bought a 91 bed off a show truck. Was supposed to have been in Truckin. If I remember right it was white and faded into purple with about six different neon colored stripes on it. Also had a pretty cool looking skeleton painted on the tailgate. Blocked all that crap off and painted it basic primer grey.

Wasn't a scratch one inside the bed. ( When I bought it )

jiggs · 02-03-2005, 07:25 PM

Like this?

Shoot, it didn't work.

Longhorn Man · 02-03-2005, 08:06 PM

Something that always looks off to me in addition to teh wheel openings, is the bed sits too high, and the front step doesn't fit right, just doesn't line up right.

**Boog** · 02-03-2005, 09:47 PM

Mac and Jay. Have you checked out the blue step over on the 88-98 board in the top sticky? 1badgmc is the name on the last page of pics. He has the shaved rear steps on his with rolled pan. Smoooooooooth.

flatblack67c-10 · 02-03-2005, 11:50 PM

This one was on Ebay a while back, but they reshaped the front fenders to match the bed.

mac · 02-04-2005, 08:56 AM

Boog -- Thanx for the redirect !! That is one fine looking ride in blue. I pm'd him with some paint questions. I hope he comes back to me. The shaver kit and a glass cover really make the step bed look good. I shaved my tailgate latch too but I hadn't thought much about LED lites in the gate with the originals blocked in. Every where I go on this site more ideas surface.

67ChevyRedneck · 02-04-2005, 09:09 AM

I know it's off just a little bit....but has anyone ever wondered why these beds "fit" so well??? Was there a 67-72 lover workin at GM when this stepbox was designed??? CONSPIRACY!!! I was thinking about doing it myself, but my bed and fenders are in really good shape. IMO that truck looks darn good. Has anyone ever thought about cutting that rear step fender off and grafting on a 67-72 fender? THAT would look sweet!

Joe67 · 02-04-2005, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boog

Mac and Jay. Have you checked out the blue step over on the 88-98 board in the top sticky? 1badgmc is the name on the last page of pics. He has the shaved rear steps on his with rolled pan. Smoooooooooth.

Yep - as I first read this thread, I thought of Jason's truck

Here is a link to his webpage:
http://www.angelfire.com/tx2/1badgmc/

obsesive23 · 02-04-2005, 08:52 PM

I have a 93 step side box on my 68 also. It was a pain to get the box to line up right. I also thought about changing the wheel well openings but decied it was to much work. Since I built the truck for work and I new the bed was gonna get banged up sooner or later. All in all I think it's a good mod and like the looks, but someday I'll put the correct fleetside in it. Also If you look close at the pic below you can see I moved the gas door to the back of the bed. That worked out slick.

**Boog** · 02-05-2005, 09:26 AM

OB23 I was thinking of yours when I started this topic. With the two tone colors and GM wheels I think it would look way original like with the rear wheel openings radiused. But that's just my opinion. It still looks good anyway.

Mac, Jason's truck looks good from most any angle but the side angle to rear shows the shaved steps and with it's removal the bed and fenders more resemble the early step fender design, as in not all one piece. That could make the bed look better on the 67-72s I think. Couple the shaved rear step and radiused wheel openings and you have a smoothed out original design modern bed and fender.

[I]Move over Chip Foose. I got an idea! LOL

mac · 02-06-2005, 09:22 PM

Boog -- Have you seen the Mar 05 issue of STREET TRUCKS ? Inside there's a red '72 chopped ride with the new bed on it. I don't care for chops much.

AND,

there's a Yellow '68 cover truck with pictorial that I'd commit crimes for. What a beautiful fleet !

Nuther good article on the new STRONG ARM "A" arms. I already have tube arms on top but may do the lowers after reading this deal.

Saw a good article in Custom Trucks yesterday on a track arm that I hadn't seen before also. Thanks for the heads up on these new bed rides. I knew there were more out there but I'm the only one here in Spokane. Lotta questions about how I did it everywhere we go tho. Since you sent me looking for the blue '91 I've ordered LED taillites and the filler panels to lose the originals. Keep up the good work. I'll be broke yet. Foose move over.

02-03-2005, 12:38 AM	#1
Boog laying low Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Searcy, Ark. USA Posts: 13,140	late model step bed ? We've all seen a few 67-72 trucks with the late model beds installed. Some like them / some don't. The difference in fender well opening shapes stands out as much as anything to me. The older ones are round, the newer ones are more squared. Has anyone given any thought to reshaping the rear fender openings to match the 67-72s? That would help that late model bed to blend in and look more like it belongs there. IMO I've only seen one attempt at radiusing the fenders but it was unfinished. __________________ Boog 69 Chevy stepside, 358/T350, 4.11 posi, 4.5/4 drop, rallys, poboy driver primer is finer 91 Chevy sportside, Tahoe, Yukon & GMC Crewcab All GM..'nuff said. I stand for the flag and kneel at the cross

02-03-2005, 02:03 AM	#3
68w/sbc406 Got Light Emitting Diode? Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Newberg, OR Posts: 2,485	there was a truck posted on here where they had done the fender mods. there was a lot of work done to the whole truck. IIRC they lenthened the cab for more leg room too, i will look for pics __________________ 1968 1/2 ton 2wd lwb 6 lug disc and bags up front. Next c notch and rear bags '02 Chevy Silverado LT ext cab short bed 2WD 5/7 drop on 22's(the family car) 1993 Cherokee work ride/weekend wheeler

02-03-2005, 11:01 AM	#4
jay6891 Car Knocker Join Date: May 2001 Location: jefferson,arkansas Posts: 664	Hey Mac, I'm thinking of one day shaving the rear step off too. Post some pics when you get it done. I think it was East Coast Customs that had the shave kit that I was looking at. My bed was also trashed and bought a 91 bed off a show truck. Was supposed to have been in Truckin. If I remember right it was white and faded into purple with about six different neon colored stripes on it. Also had a pretty cool looking skeleton painted on the tailgate. Blocked all that crap off and painted it basic primer grey. Wasn't a scratch one inside the bed. ( When I bought it ) __________________ 68 c-10,91 sportside bed,350 .030 over,4 bolt,10-1 comp,2.05 intake/1.94 exhaust,1.6 Harland Sharp roller rockers,edelbrock rpm cam and intake w/750 carb, 700r4, 3.73 gears,Jacabbs Electronic Igntion w/Accel HEI distributer and super coil. ZR-1 roll pan, filled tailights. Blazer tank. Hidden hitch. 2 1/2" Flowmaster 40's. Parts bought but not installed>> ford 9" posi with disc. CCP front and rear lowering kit 4/5. Cab corners,foor boards,rockers, cab braces, Phatom grill, Painless wiring kit.

02-03-2005, 07:25 PM	#5
jiggs poker face Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Posts: 218	Like this? Shoot, it didn't work. __________________ If you could kick the person in the *ss responsible for most of your trouble, you wouldn't sit for a month.

02-03-2005, 09:47 PM	#7
Boog laying low Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Searcy, Ark. USA Posts: 13,140	Mac and Jay. Have you checked out the blue step over on the 88-98 board in the top sticky? 1badgmc is the name on the last page of pics. He has the shaved rear steps on his with rolled pan. Smoooooooooth. __________________ Boog 69 Chevy stepside, 358/T350, 4.11 posi, 4.5/4 drop, rallys, poboy driver primer is finer 91 Chevy sportside, Tahoe, Yukon & GMC Crewcab All GM..'nuff said. I stand for the flag and kneel at the cross

02-03-2005, 12:53 AM	#2
mac Active Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 166	I have a '96 step bed on my '67 now. My original bed was in bad shape and I got the new one for $400. Actually the wheel well openings don't bother me but the rear step does. I'm in the process of installing a step shaver kit right now and may take a look at the well openings before paint. I've seen the squared openings carried from the new bed to the front of a '67 and didn't care for that look at all. With the rain gutters taken off and smoothed the rear wheel wells don't draw too much attention. Thanx for making me take another look tho. Mac BlackBagged '67 ZZ4

02-03-2005, 08:06 PM	#6
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Something that always looks off to me in addition to teh wheel openings, is the bed sits too high, and the front step doesn't fit right, just doesn't line up right.

02-03-2005, 11:50 PM	#8
flatblack67c-10 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Dover, AR Posts: 120	This one was on Ebay a while back, but they reshaped the front fenders to match the bed. __________________ was 67 chevy swb fleet now muticolored 69 step, 350/350, 3.73 posi, converted to 5 lug, torq thrust II 17x8 front 17x9.5 rear, factory air cab, fuel cell. future plans: shaved wiper cowl, shave stake pockets, phantom grille, and silver paint... 68 camaro ss396 project 54 f*rd project truck

02-04-2005, 08:56 AM	#9
mac Active Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 166	Boog -- Thanx for the redirect !! That is one fine looking ride in blue. I pm'd him with some paint questions. I hope he comes back to me. The shaver kit and a glass cover really make the step bed look good. I shaved my tailgate latch too but I hadn't thought much about LED lites in the gate with the originals blocked in. Every where I go on this site more ideas surface.

02-04-2005, 09:09 AM	#10
67ChevyRedneck Hittin E-Z Street on Mud Tires Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 23,090	I know it's off just a little bit....but has anyone ever wondered why these beds "fit" so well??? Was there a 67-72 lover workin at GM when this stepbox was designed??? CONSPIRACY!!! I was thinking about doing it myself, but my bed and fenders are in really good shape. IMO that truck looks darn good. Has anyone ever thought about cutting that rear step fender off and grafting on a 67-72 fender? THAT would look sweet! __________________ Jesse James 1967 C10 SWB Stepside: 350/700R4/3.73 1965 Ford Mustang: 289/T5-5spd/3.25 Trac-Loc 1968 Pontiac Firebird: Project Fire Chicken! 2015 Silverado Double Cab 5.3L Z71 2001 Jeep Wrangler Sport 4.0L 5spd 2020 Chevrolet Equinox Premium 2.0L Turbo 2011 Mustang V6 ~ Wife's ride American Born, Country by the Grace of God 1967 CST Shop Truck Rebuild! My 1967 C-10 Build Thread My Vintage Air A/C Install Project "On a Dime" Trying my hand at Home Renovation! 1965 Mustang Modifications!

02-04-2005, 08:52 PM	#12
obsesive23 Who me? Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Bothell WA Posts: 640	I have a 93 step side box on my 68 also. It was a pain to get the box to line up right. I also thought about changing the wheel well openings but decied it was to much work. Since I built the truck for work and I new the bed was gonna get banged up sooner or later. All in all I think it's a good mod and like the looks, but someday I'll put the correct fleetside in it. Also If you look close at the pic below you can see I moved the gas door to the back of the bed. That worked out slick. __________________ Living the dream 72 2WD Blazer, under going porter built surgery 67 GT Mustang fastback 67 Mustang coupe C/S clone 64 Falcon sprint hardtop

02-05-2005, 09:26 AM	#13
Boog laying low Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Searcy, Ark. USA Posts: 13,140	OB23 I was thinking of yours when I started this topic. With the two tone colors and GM wheels I think it would look way original like with the rear wheel openings radiused. But that's just my opinion. It still looks good anyway. Mac, Jason's truck looks good from most any angle but the side angle to rear shows the shaved steps and with it's removal the bed and fenders more resemble the early step fender design, as in not all one piece. That could make the bed look better on the 67-72s I think. Couple the shaved rear step and radiused wheel openings and you have a smoothed out original design modern bed and fender. [I]Move over Chip Foose. I got an idea! LOL __________________ Boog 69 Chevy stepside, 358/T350, 4.11 posi, 4.5/4 drop, rallys, poboy driver primer is finer 91 Chevy sportside, Tahoe, Yukon & GMC Crewcab All GM..'nuff said. I stand for the flag and kneel at the cross

02-06-2005, 09:22 PM	#14
mac Active Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 166	Boog -- Have you seen the Mar 05 issue of STREET TRUCKS ? Inside there's a red '72 chopped ride with the new bed on it. I don't care for chops much. AND, there's a Yellow '68 cover truck with pictorial that I'd commit crimes for. What a beautiful fleet ! Nuther good article on the new STRONG ARM "A" arms. I already have tube arms on top but may do the lowers after reading this deal. Saw a good article in Custom Trucks yesterday on a track arm that I hadn't seen before also. Thanks for the heads up on these new bed rides. I knew there were more out there but I'm the only one here in Spokane. Lotta questions about how I did it everywhere we go tho. Since you sent me looking for the blue '91 I've ordered LED taillites and the filler panels to lose the originals. Keep up the good work. I'll be broke yet. Foose move over.



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