stpe side bed question

[Rod Run]

I have a '71 step side but it has a '73-up bed on it.

I know that the tailgate is interchangeable between the two different styles, but does anyone know why makes the bed itself different?

Why you can't just bolt the earlier fenders onto the later bed? If I could do that, things would be so much easier

Thanks in advance, for any help or answers that might clear this up

[hugger6933]

Go to the home page, then in the upper left hand corner click on tech tips. Look through the post there is a post in there about that. There are only about five or six pages and it goes real quick. Jim

[Rod Run]

I've searched all over this site and another site and found nothing in my searches. I'll do that thanks

[aggie91]

The bigest difference is the bolt pattern in the sides for the fenders and the step. If you are comfortable with a welder and a drill, you could mock up the 67-72 fenders to mark the holes and change them out....

[Rod Run]

Originally Posted by aggie91

The bigest difference is the bolt pattern in the sides for the fenders and the step. If you are comfortable with a welder and a drill, you could mock up the 67-72 fenders to mark the holes and change them out....

I figured that needed to be done and that is the most minor difference.

From what I've read is that the mounts for the frame need to be moved and the bed sides need to be extended down.

The thing that I'm really interested in, is seeing if the actual steps locate properly because of the different bed length?

Anyone?

[aggie91]

I have a factory 1965 stepside bed and a factory 1980's bed at my house. I will see if I can get some measurements tonight on the height and length of the sides.

Since your's is already mounted to the '71, the mounts are not an issue. Do you have the correct fenders and step for a 67-72 stepside bed?

[67ChevyRedneck]

Different bed length? They're the same overall length.

Step by step (pun intended) conversion of 73-87 bed to 67-72 bed. You do have to weld "extensions" to the front of the bed at the bottom so the steps will "fit."

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=123833

[Rod Run]

Originally Posted by aggie91

I have a factory 1965 stepside bed and a factory 1980's bed at my house. I will see if I can get some measurements tonight on the height and length of the sides.

Since your's is already mounted to the '71, the mounts are not an issue. Do you have the correct fenders and step for a 67-72 stepside bed?

Thanks but I already have that bed at my house. I was wondering about the fitment of the older fenders & step onto the newer bed. I am just looking for possible pics of the older fenders & steps mounted onto the newer bed, so I can see how much work it looks like, but more importantly, how it actually looks

My bed isn't already mounted. I bought a '71 project and the bed is just sitting on the frame

[67ChevyRedneck]

^? The link I posted is a step by step guide on how to convert a 73-87 bed to a 67-72 bed using 67-72 fenders and steps?

[Rod Run]

Originally Posted by 67ChevyRedneck

^? The link I posted is a step by step guide on how to convert a 73-87 bed to a 67-72 bed using 67-72 fenders and steps?

It has tons of great info, but it didn't show anything with the steps? wondering if the OP ever got them on. I PM'd him that day but got no response

[67ChevyRedneck]

Once you weld the lower piece from the piece from a 67-72 bed back on (with measurements you can make this piece, it's just sheet metal bent over 90*), the steps will fit/look just like a 67-72 bed. They will not fit/work without welding that front piece on.

He used to have a build thread with that truck in it, then he sold the bed and put a fleet bed on, then I think he sold that bed then bought a 67-72 stepside bed for it

[Palf70Step]

Here is how I did my changeover years ago.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=123833

I got rid of the truck recently, but a significant more time went into the bed. Most of the pictures f that work got lost in a computer failure . Lengthening the stake pockets to meet up with the steps to look more natural. Eventually 70 Malibu taillights were added into the fenders.

At the time replacement parts were unheard of and/or very unaffordable. My time was cheal and it was entertainment to keep me occupied to do it this way.

[67ChevyRedneck]

You sold 'er Bill

[Palf70Step]

Yeah Jesse. Too many fires and health was killing my available time. I also was getting made about having to move things everywhere to work on either of the trucks, so before I got really made and hit something, I decided to keep Jr. the running/driving one and sell the 70. The guy that bought it is 2 hrs from here and has a body shop. he is fast to work on what I have been piddling with for 10 yrs. The last picture is before it was rolled onto the trailer to her new home.

I mess her, but

[Rod Run]

So in the pic where it's black, that is the newer bed with the old fenders and steps?

at least I now know for sure that it still looks good, just in case I can't find an older bed by the time I get to that point

Thanks man!

[7071Bluck]

Do you have a pic with the newer bed mounted?

[Palf70Step]

Originally Posted by Rod Run

So in the pic where it's black, that is the newer bed with the old fenders and steps?

Thanks man!

Correct

Originally Posted by 7071Bluck

Do you have a pic with the newer bed mounted?

Last picture is it mounted