Wheel Well Opening Molding for 85 Stepside

[85blustepside]

I am looking to put Wheel Well Opening Molding on all four wheel wells.
Does anyone know where I can find molding for the rear step side wells?

[bbbc10]

Um lmc classic parts etc

[barry1982]

I could be wrong, but I don't think I ever saw rear wheel well molding on a step side...... ??

[85blustepside]

I cannot locate them in any catalog. I have seen trucks with them.
My truck is getting painted ( hopefully this week )so wanted the shop to install molding also

[85blustepside]

I have actually building mine based on this truck I liked

[walkerb]

I don't think they were ever made for a stepside. I see the above picture. But i don't believe GM actually made "stepside fender molding".

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by walkerb

I don't think they were ever made for a stepside. I see the above picture. But i don't believe GM actually made "stepside fender molding".

That is correct (GM never made wheel opening trim for a stepside).

But - as shown - a fleetside molding can be made to fit.

K

[KrazyRay]

I thought the 73-80 stepsides had the trim option. I have pulled a few of them and they looked original.

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by KrazyRay

I thought the 73-80 stepsides had the trim option. I have pulled a few of them and they looked original.

Nope. Not from the factory.

RPO B96 n/a with RPO E62.

K

[85blustepside]

Does anyone know if the front fit the back?
Anyone done this?

[87 STEPPER]

I don't know man it look's good but think about where you live those molding's are screwed on and will promote RUST!

But if that's what your set on doin' go for it.

Good luck with your hunt.

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by 87 STEPPER

... those molding's are screwed on and will promote RUST!

Back in the day, in the assembly plant, those screws would occasionally hit torque without being fully seated.

Rather than using a screwdriver the line side repairman would grab a hammer and give 'em a good whack - which would make them appear seated - and then buy off on the repair.

As a result, rather than calling them "screws" they would refer to them as "B96 nails"....

K

[Skeetman]

Here is a step side on Chicago craigslist with wheel well moldings

[85blustepside]

This is going to be my toy it will not be driven during bad weather everyone still think its a bad idea to put them on?

[Wayne penn]

From the last photo it looks to me like they used front fender moldings on the back fenders and just reversed the left to the right and vise versa. It might need some tweaking to get them on.. but that is what I see,,, of course if you ask my wife I have been wrong

Wayne

[85blustepside]

Thanks Wayne
I totally understand
My wife would say should could have made them work.

[Wayne penn]

Let me know if it works, I may do my 86 step side the same

Wayne

[hotrodder]

Correct on the left front to the right rear, and right front to left rear. Put a little Por15 on the threads. That will coat the bare steel in the screw hole. Those look real cool on a stepside. Go for it!!!!

[85blustepside]

Great thank you I will post pictures when done

[Wayne penn]

Hey write to my wife and tell her I was right for once!

I am definitely going to doing the same on my step side. A real nice look
Wayne

[My76C10]

I love that look. I plan on doing it on my 76 stepside

But I do not believe that those are the front moldings put on reversed. Look at the openings they are two different sizes. I believe the front wheel well is roughly 35” wide x 19” high and the rear opening is roughly 36” wide x 17” high. I have done some research on this matter and asked some of the other board member who have done this already. (hopefully they will chime in here to confirm)

What I have been told is to buy a full set for a fleet side for your year. The front should be correct and the rear should fit close but not exact and will need to be massaged into place and possibly trimmed off on the bottom edges.

[85blustepside]

Thank you I changed my order too a complete set a full set for a fleet side for your year I cannot wait to install them in a couple weeks

[Wayne penn]

I was cleaning my storage room and found a front wheel molding, so tried it on the rear of my step side they are too short and the lower radius id no where close. I am thinking now the people that have them on the step side either made them or had them made. I wish some one that has them will join in and tell us .

Wayne

[Rich84]

Wish I could help..My '84 stepside had them when I got it about 20 years ago. One of the first things I did was remove them and throw them away. I do remember that they fit fine and looked "factory" to me. Rust was starting around the screws, the rest of the truck was rust free.