Wheel Openings Are Different! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

ratskin · 01-23-2008, 11:56 PM

Just got the correct fender skirts for my 64 Suburban. Just FYI, the Suburban rear wheel openings are the same as the short fleetside wheel openings. These are about 3 inches shorter, lengthwise, than those from the long fleetside and the panel truck. Who'da thunk it?

soba_03 · 01-24-2008, 03:23 AM

Frizzle Fry · 01-24-2008, 04:00 AM

I would not have expected that either. Good info.

**Captainfab** · 01-24-2008, 01:59 PM

Huh! I never knew that after all these years....thanks for the info.

66trkbldr · 01-25-2008, 03:02 AM

your right !!!!!!!!!! ive been making skirts for my lwb using an old swb bed side as mock up! just read this and ran out side, good thing i found out now only having 2 hrs into them and not the projected 10 that i planed on!

66trkbldr · 01-25-2008, 03:09 AM

new can of worms!!!!!!!!!! installing the swb wheel openings on to the lwb!! one more weekend behind shcedule!

forcedinduction · 01-25-2008, 03:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soba_03

How is this thread worthless without pics? He said the skirts are 3" shorter... You can't picture in yer head what the difference is between one skirt and one that is 3" shorter?

jonzcustomshop · 01-25-2008, 04:19 AM

found some pics that should show the difference.
I knew the brown/tan truck had a cut down long bed, but I could never place why it looked good until now!

I think I will go with the big openings on mine.

63sbssbbw · 01-25-2008, 04:45 AM

Funny how things hide in plain sight

soba_03 · 01-25-2008, 04:47 AM

Forcedinduction,

I didn't mean to come across as an A$$, he and I have traded Pm's about visors and skirts for Burb's and I wanted to see the skirts he bought on his burb.

So I threw that out there to try and induce pictures posted.

If it got under your skin sorry about that.

thekid54 · 01-25-2008, 07:15 AM

Wow, I never noticed that!

Slmd92DIME · 01-25-2008, 10:31 AM

I have never seen that green truck before. That is a dman nice truck

*1974k5blazer* · 01-25-2008, 11:34 AM

except for that hideous tailgate!

Slmd92DIME · 01-25-2008, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1974k5blazer

except for that hideous tailgate!

I like it... a lot

jonzcustomshop · 02-14-2011, 05:38 PM

just to clarify.. the wheel openings on the panel are longer than on a sub?

so it would be panel / long fleet

and
suburban / short fleet?

thanks.

fleetsidelarry · 02-14-2011, 07:21 PM

well I'll be, all this time I just assumed. I'm planning on using my old lwb fleetsides on my panel so I'll be OK, but this is good info to know.

even with those two pictures above, I can't really tell a difference

biohazardbill · 02-14-2011, 07:54 PM

I have a short and long fleetside bed here, long bed at the bottom opening is around 36" and the short is around 33"

Leadfoot Lambert · 02-14-2011, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by biohazardbill

I have a short and long fleetside bed here, long bed at the bottom opening is around 36" and the short is around 33"

wanna sell the short bed?

**Corts60** · 02-14-2011, 11:29 PM

and is it just the pictures playing tricks on me, or does the front of the opening on the shortbed seem more straight up and down (perpendicular to the ground) than the long bed opening in the front? I am going to go look at my long bed and my suburban tomorrow when there is daylight. This is very interesting....

**CHIZZLER** · 02-14-2011, 11:34 PM

Long bed cut down.i like the bigger wheel opening.

**PGSigns** · 02-15-2011, 08:06 AM

That 3" differance must be why the short beds look like the wheel is sitting a little forward in the wheel well and the long beds don't look that way.
Jimmy

Chevysdominate · 04-26-2011, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CHIZZLER

Long bed cut down.i like the bigger wheel opening.

Off topic a bit, but I like the stance of that truck a ton. Is that your truck? Do you know how it was lowered and the wheel/tire size? Thanks

**slepysal** · 04-26-2011, 10:27 PM

so were can I get some skirts? ( for a long bed)

**jocko** · 04-26-2011, 10:34 PM

Corts - excellent question. I "think" they are the same (i.e. the forward edge) and what you/we are seeing is just because of the angle from which the 2nd photo is taken. Now that we all are seeing something we aparently never saw before (amazing!) maybe we're looking for too many more "hiding in plain sight" things. Or, I'm full of crap and the front edges ARE different!

What's bugging me, and the one question I haven't seen answered is "why" did GM make 2 different size wheel openings? I can't imagine why a longbed and panel would need a longer opening that a shortie and suburban... Maybe the extra 3" just just looks more proportional in the long bed?? Hmm.

As for me, shortys all the way - I think the shorter opening surrounds the tire better. I'm just glad they all look good.

*lakeroadster* · 04-26-2011, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jocko

What's bugging me, and the one question I haven't seen answered is "why" did GM make 2 different size wheel openings? I can't imagine why a longbed and panel would need a longer opening that a shortie and suburban... Maybe the extra 3" just just looks more proportional in the long bed?? Hmm.

Because they knew that 50 years later Hot Rodders would be modifying these trucks and putting huge diameter tires on them?

In reality, IMO, those big wheel well openings look great with 33" and larger dia. tires sizes. No different than making the rear wheel wells bigger on a car being set-up for drag slicks. Novas, Camaros, Vegas... pretty common place then and now.

Maybe the answer is they did it for the NAPCO trucks???

Something for everybody here I guess. It's all good.

John

01-23-2008, 11:56 PM	#1
ratskin Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Western IL Posts: 358	Wheel Openings Are Different! Just got the correct fender skirts for my 64 Suburban. Just FYI, the Suburban rear wheel openings are the same as the short fleetside wheel openings. These are about 3 inches shorter, lengthwise, than those from the long fleetside and the panel truck. Who'da thunk it?

01-24-2008, 03:23 AM	#2
soba_03 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Fairdale, Kentucky Posts: 561	Re: Wheel Openings Are Different!

01-24-2008, 04:00 AM	#3
Frizzle Fry Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Hillsboro Oregon Posts: 6,449	Re: Wheel Openings Are Different! I would not have expected that either. Good info.

01-24-2008, 01:59 PM	#4
Captainfab 60-66 Nut Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Coeur d'Alene, Idaho Posts: 23,246	Re: Wheel Openings Are Different! Huh! I never knew that after all these years....thanks for the info. __________________ Power Steering Box Adapter Plates For Sale HERE Power Brake Booster Adapter Brackets For Sale '63-'66 HERE and '67-'72 HERE and '60-'62 HERE and "60-'62 with clutch HERE Rear Disc Brake Brackets For Sale. Impala SS calipers HERE Camaro Calipers HERE D52 Calipers HERE 6 Lug HERE Hydroboost Mounting Plates HERE Last edited by Captainfab; 01-24-2008 at 01:59 PM.

01-25-2008, 03:02 AM	#5
66trkbldr LIGHTMUP,BURNMDWN! Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: downers grove il Posts: 110	Re: Wheel Openings Are Different! your right !!!!!!!!!! ive been making skirts for my lwb using an old swb bed side as mock up! just read this and ran out side, good thing i found out now only having 2 hrs into them and not the projected 10 that i planed on! __________________ 64 LWB Chevy " EL DEVILLE" 61 Caddy ambulance 56 Coupe deville 64 Coupe deville 29 Ford roadster

01-25-2008, 03:09 AM	#6
66trkbldr LIGHTMUP,BURNMDWN! Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: downers grove il Posts: 110	Re: Wheel Openings Are Different! new can of worms!!!!!!!!!! installing the swb wheel openings on to the lwb!! one more weekend behind shcedule! __________________ 64 LWB Chevy " EL DEVILLE" 61 Caddy ambulance 56 Coupe deville 64 Coupe deville 29 Ford roadster

01-25-2008, 04:19 AM	#8
jonzcustomshop 1961 crewcab Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: missoula, mt Posts: 6,164	Re: Wheel Openings Are Different! found some pics that should show the difference. I knew the brown/tan truck had a cut down long bed, but I could never place why it looked good until now! I think I will go with the big openings on mine. Attached Images

01-25-2008, 04:45 AM	#9
63sbssbbw UCA63 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Lloydminster AB Can. Posts: 1,637	Re: Wheel Openings Are Different! Funny how things hide in plain sight __________________ member#7816 "63 sb ss bbw 350\350 12 bolt rear Pwr Fr Disc PS tilt '61 GMC in progress '63 GMC to use for parts '90 Chevy Ext cab sbfs 5.7l (current d d)

01-25-2008, 04:47 AM	#10
soba_03 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Fairdale, Kentucky Posts: 561	Re: Wheel Openings Are Different! Forcedinduction, I didn't mean to come across as an A$$, he and I have traded Pm's about visors and skirts for Burb's and I wanted to see the skirts he bought on his burb. So I threw that out there to try and induce pictures posted. If it got under your skin sorry about that.

01-25-2008, 07:15 AM	#11
thekid54 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: LA, CA Posts: 296	Re: Wheel Openings Are Different! Wow, I never noticed that!

01-25-2008, 10:31 AM	#12
Slmd92DIME Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: West Virginia Posts: 481	Re: Wheel Openings Are Different! I have never seen that green truck before. That is a dman nice truck

01-25-2008, 11:34 AM	#13
1974k5blazer Account Suspended Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Queen Creek AZ Posts: 243	Re: Wheel Openings Are Different! except for that hideous tailgate!

02-14-2011, 05:38 PM	#15
jonzcustomshop 1961 crewcab Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: missoula, mt Posts: 6,164	Re: Wheel Openings Are Different! just to clarify.. the wheel openings on the panel are longer than on a sub? so it would be panel / long fleet and suburban / short fleet? thanks. __________________ 60 build: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=280904 61 crew build: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=646830 63 build: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=336537 64 'burb build: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=448681 65 'burb build: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=590715 65 build: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=281955

02-14-2011, 07:21 PM	#16
fleetsidelarry Senior Car Nut Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: shellman bluff, GA Posts: 1,411	Re: Wheel Openings Are Different! well I'll be, all this time I just assumed. I'm planning on using my old lwb fleetsides on my panel so I'll be OK, but this is good info to know. even with those two pictures above, I can't really tell a difference __________________ Larry Last edited by fleetsidelarry; 02-14-2011 at 07:24 PM.

02-14-2011, 07:54 PM	#17
biohazardbill Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Forsyth, Ga Posts: 1,012	Re: Wheel Openings Are Different! I have a short and long fleetside bed here, long bed at the bottom opening is around 36" and the short is around 33"



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02-14-2011, 11:29 PM	#19
Corts60 Just here to tinker Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Holland, MI Posts: 3,672	Re: Wheel Openings Are Different! and is it just the pictures playing tricks on me, or does the front of the opening on the shortbed seem more straight up and down (perpendicular to the ground) than the long bed opening in the front? I am going to go look at my long bed and my suburban tomorrow when there is daylight. This is very interesting.... __________________ 78 C10 SWB Diesel #1 (wrecked)http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...1978+silverado 78 C10 SWB Diesel #2 (sold)http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=650751 60 GMC Suburban (sold)http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=445526 60 GMC 1000 (sold)http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=298235 67 GMC 1500 (sold) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=803695 86 Suburban(summer unit) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=810697 88 Suburban 4x4(winter unit)https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...25#post8900725

02-14-2011, 11:34 PM	#20
CHIZZLER SAVING ONE TRUCK AT A TIME Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: sherwood oregon Posts: 1,141	Re: Wheel Openings Are Different! Long bed cut down.i like the bigger wheel opening. Attached Images __________________ 53-suburban (99% done) 40-pick up (99.9% done) 12-cc lb dually D-max (dd) 61-crew cab D-max "PAY LESS FOR WHAT YOU NEED PAY MORE FOR WHAT YOU WANT" 53 BURBAN BARN FIND:http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=404091 1940 PROJECT MOON SHINE:http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=551088 1961 CREW MAX: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php?p=6957999

02-15-2011, 08:06 AM	#21
PGSigns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Hayes Va Posts: 4,569	Re: Wheel Openings Are Different! That 3" differance must be why the short beds look like the wheel is sitting a little forward in the wheel well and the long beds don't look that way. Jimmy __________________ 60 to 66 Chevy and GMC window decals http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=661131 Good friends, good food and a hotrod what else do you need? 1966 BBW long fleet Daily driver 1965 BBW short fleet Sold and going to a good home 1965 Suburban 2003 3500 Duramax 2005 Ultra Classic

04-26-2011, 10:27 PM	#23
slepysal Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: San Jose NOR*CAL Posts: 3,080	Re: Wheel Openings Are Different! so were can I get some skirts? ( for a long bed) __________________ 1960 Apache long bed fleet L6 250 Clifford intake 2 bbl carb. Langdon cast headers with dual exhaust and bellflower tips. T-5 5 speed, power steering and power disc brakes. "Over, Around or through it... "

04-26-2011, 10:34 PM	#24
jocko Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Godley, TX Posts: 17,931	Re: Wheel Openings Are Different! Corts - excellent question. I "think" they are the same (i.e. the forward edge) and what you/we are seeing is just because of the angle from which the 2nd photo is taken. Now that we all are seeing something we aparently never saw before (amazing!) maybe we're looking for too many more "hiding in plain sight" things. Or, I'm full of crap and the front edges ARE different! What's bugging me, and the one question I haven't seen answered is "why" did GM make 2 different size wheel openings? I can't imagine why a longbed and panel would need a longer opening that a shortie and suburban... Maybe the extra 3" just just looks more proportional in the long bed?? Hmm. As for me, shortys all the way - I think the shorter opening surrounds the tire better. I'm just glad they all look good.

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