Bed help 55-59 and 60-66 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

dirtracer81_2 · 02-11-2013, 07:49 PM

Hey I always thought the beds were the same from 55-66...Does anyone know what the difference is?
Thanks

OrrieG · 02-11-2013, 08:36 PM

I believe the step sides are all the same. 55-58 Cameo are the same, 58-59 Fleetside are the same, 60-66 Fleetside are the same. Fleetside tailgates had minor differences in the "CHEVROLET" stamping.

dirtracer81_2 · 02-11-2013, 08:59 PM

Thanks...I read somewhere at one time that someone said the 60-66 sat higher on the frame. Well I ended up buying a 60-66 bed many years ago and almost ready to try it out soon.

**buggy5872** · 02-11-2013, 09:12 PM

short beds are pretty much the same. the cross braces are different. 60-66 have a wider frame. You will have to modify them a little. 55-59 long beds and 60-66 long beds are completely different. bedsides and steps are different because the wheel base is longer on the 60-66 so the fenders sit back farther on the sides and the steps are longer.

_Ogre · 02-12-2013, 02:22 PM

54 thru 78 is pretty much the same stepside bed and tailgate
gm changed the fenders and steps
maybe the new ones are chainless

Big Port Jimmy 6 · 02-13-2013, 11:49 PM

Wood Patterns are different 54-55 55-59 60-62 63-66. Jay

AZ59apacheguy · 02-14-2013, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dirtracer81_2

Thanks...I read somewhere at one time that someone said the 60-66 sat higher on the frame. Well I ended up buying a 60-66 bed many years ago and almost ready to try it out soon.

That's what I was told as well. I actually have a '62 step-side bed on my '59 1/2 ton. the cross beams on the '62 bed have a metal spacer on them. I bought the proper front/back and middle cross beams for my truck and they do not have the spacer.

Maximus · 02-14-2013, 07:46 PM

it was already mentioned but i thought i would repeat it. The only difference on the stepside beds from 55-59 and 60-66 is the rear cross sill under the tailgate
The width of the frame mounting points are different, if you wanted to you could cut the frame mounts and relocate them

http://www.classicparts.com/1955-59-.../#.UR12yO_WT-4

1project2many · 02-15-2013, 08:39 AM

I have experience putting a '62 long stepside bed on my '57. I had to move the fender mounting holes forward and and drill a few new holes for the '57 steps. The '62 fenders appeared the same although I used the '57 fenders because 1) I'd already done the work to repair them, and 2) the '57 has a bed mounted spare. I seem to remember having to change crossmembers under the bed but it's been years since I did the swap. The GM parts book showed the same bed sides, front panel, and tailgate could be used from '55 to the last stepside in about '86 or '87 so I used a new GM tailgate and chain when the truck was restored in '97 or so.

02-11-2013, 07:49 PM	#1
dirtracer81_2 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: rocky gap va Posts: 99	Bed help 55-59 and 60-66 Hey I always thought the beds were the same from 55-66...Does anyone know what the difference is? Thanks

02-11-2013, 08:36 PM	#2
OrrieG Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Idaho Posts: 8,800	Re: Bed help 55-59 and 60-66 I believe the step sides are all the same. 55-58 Cameo are the same, 58-59 Fleetside are the same, 60-66 Fleetside are the same. Fleetside tailgates had minor differences in the "CHEVROLET" stamping. __________________ 1959 Chevy Short Fleetside w/ 74 4WD drive train (current project) OrrieG Build Thread 1964 Chevelle Malibu w/ 355-350TH (daily driver) Helpful AD and TF Manual Site Old Car Manual Project

02-11-2013, 08:59 PM	#3
dirtracer81_2 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: rocky gap va Posts: 99	Re: Bed help 55-59 and 60-66 Thanks...I read somewhere at one time that someone said the 60-66 sat higher on the frame. Well I ended up buying a 60-66 bed many years ago and almost ready to try it out soon.

02-11-2013, 09:12 PM	#4
buggy5872 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: North Beaver TWP PA Posts: 833	Re: Bed help 55-59 and 60-66 short beds are pretty much the same. the cross braces are different. 60-66 have a wider frame. You will have to modify them a little. 55-59 long beds and 60-66 long beds are completely different. bedsides and steps are different because the wheel base is longer on the 60-66 so the fenders sit back farther on the sides and the steps are longer. __________________ ___________________________ 1959 Apache Short Fleetside, 1959 Apache NAPCO Long Stepside, 1957 3100 with 59 fleetside bed 1957 5700 LCF Crew Cab "Big Bertha",1959 GMC F370 1958 GMC 600, 1946 Chevy, 1959 Viking 60 LCF 1974 Elcamino SS, 1979 6500 GMC Tilt Bed Wrecker Big Bertha Build

02-12-2013, 02:22 PM	#5
_Ogre Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Motown Posts: 7,680	Re: Bed help 55-59 and 60-66 54 thru 78 is pretty much the same stepside bed and tailgate gm changed the fenders and steps maybe the new ones are chainless __________________ cool, an ogre smiley Ogre's 58 Truk build how to put your truck year and build thread into your signature shop air compressor timer

02-13-2013, 11:49 PM	#6
Big Port Jimmy 6 Addicted to Rust Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Abbeville SC Posts: 1,030	Re: Bed help 55-59 and 60-66 Wood Patterns are different 54-55 55-59 60-62 63-66. Jay __________________ Current trucks: (48 GMC100 320 inliner) Gone (48 Suburban in pieces) Sold 87 GMC CCSB 5.3 4l60E Daily Driver ECTA National record holder XO/PP We never really grow up, we just learn how to act in public.

02-14-2013, 07:46 PM	#8
Maximus Registered User Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Santa Rosa, CA Posts: 672	Re: Bed help 55-59 and 60-66 it was already mentioned but i thought i would repeat it. The only difference on the stepside beds from 55-59 and 60-66 is the rear cross sill under the tailgate The width of the frame mounting points are different, if you wanted to you could cut the frame mounts and relocate them http://www.classicparts.com/1955-59-.../#.UR12yO_WT-4 __________________ 1955 2nd Series 3100 - 400 Pontiac / BW Super T-10 4-Speed 1972 K5 Blazer 350 Auto 4x4 1928 Ford Model A Tudor

02-15-2013, 08:39 AM	#9
1project2many Registered User Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Lakes Region NH Posts: 3,200	Re: Bed help 55-59 and 60-66 I have experience putting a '62 long stepside bed on my '57. I had to move the fender mounting holes forward and and drill a few new holes for the '57 steps. The '62 fenders appeared the same although I used the '57 fenders because 1) I'd already done the work to repair them, and 2) the '57 has a bed mounted spare. I seem to remember having to change crossmembers under the bed but it's been years since I did the swap. The GM parts book showed the same bed sides, front panel, and tailgate could be used from '55 to the last stepside in about '86 or '87 so I used a new GM tailgate and chain when the truck was restored in '97 or so.



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