Stepside VS Fleetside

[67swb72klb]

I too have had both and like them both..
I think the steppers are going to be the next rage. People are getting tired of the short wide's...lol

[Tusky]

Originally Posted by 67swb72klb

I too have had both and like them both..
I think the steppers are going to be the next rage. People are getting tired of the short wide's...lol

You just might be right about that. Everytime I see one at a show 9 out 10 are fleetsides.

[Ken O.]

If it was my choice: 2wd Stepside and lowered a touch like some pictured above. 4wd fleetside lifted about 3 inches (this is what my 67 GMC is) I personally like the small rear window to the large. I've always been drawn to the more rare options even though it sometimes makes it harder to work on. I saw a Green GMC long bed stepside about a 70' I think, here in town a couple times and I just stare every time because it is "Different".

[1971Stepside]

Admittedly, when I was 17 I wanted the fleet side truck. I bought this one instead. 34 years later I am glad I have the stepper. The fleet sides are everywhere....bagged, patina, short fleets...as far as the eye can see

[cerial]

It is a big it depends on what the truck is used for.

For something that works I like a flatbed.

For something that does shows I love a stepside. Step sides are a pain to replace and if you use them for work your going to need to repair them.

In the middle you have a fleet side. Easy to replace box sides but it is a pain to load from the side.




Then you have what I have built 2 of and will be building a 3rd here soon enough. The first one cost me $1100 the second I have $950 into.
Here is the bed on my 87(former plow truck).





It is easy to load with lowered sides that are the same height as the tops of the previous fleet sides wheel wells. They are only 9" tall so it is enough for a good amount of loading while allowing for easy side loading. The current side height is 42" off the ground But it has a 4'x8' center section for your general loading.

The back I leave open which allows for square stock to slide inside for things from a extended bed, to ramps for dirt bikes or other options.

My fuel tank is located inside the cab of the 87 so I built a headache rack which also acts as a roll cage protecting the tank in case of side impact or a light roll.

One of my biggest peeves is not having securing points. So I build the sides and floor of these beds out of number 9 metal which is perfect for ratchet strap hooks to fit into.

[72c20customcamper]

I have both . Like them both but I like the 68 a little more because of the nose.

[tim71]

I'm partial to fleetsides. The body and bed and the entire side of the truck just seems to flow better to me.

[RenoKeene]

There is something sexy about a hot rod stepper...

[RenoKeene]

Originally Posted by bigsnookmaster

I'm a big stepside fan. I have had 20 of these trucks, and had both, but I love my stepside!

Hey Brother! Glad to see your still in here.

[Tusky]

Very interesting opinions. 1971stepside~ that truck looks mean from the back.

Anyway I'll like to get a roller and make it into a backroad cruiser with a LS2 I have laying around.

Anyway keep the opinions and comments coming. The thread is getting goo to me.

[67ChevyRedneck]

I've owned the same 67 stepside for 23 years... still wish it was a fleetside.

[Ultrasummer]

My ideal shortbed is the stepside WITH the driver's side cut out for the spare tire. That with some actual real patina......very cool.

[Tusky]

If i end up with a fleetside bed how hard will it be to trade someone for a stepside bed ?

[Ultrasummer]

Originally Posted by Tusky

If i end up with a fleetside bed how hard will it be to trade someone for a stepside bed ?

Trade? Hard to say. They're out there. Buying a used one or even new is more likely. And there's no crime in that. But personally it's the thrill of the hunt. I want something with the original paint still on it regardless of patina. I won't buy something primer grey, or flat black, or even repainted nicely. I want the real deal. So sure you could find a stepside bed out there. It might look like a frankenstein truck no matter how much you try to blend the colors together - which isn't the worst thing in the world. But if you found a good deal on a fleetside, enjoy it for what it's worth. And if it doesn't rock your world, pass on it and keep looking for that gem. Just my opinion on things.

[halfstep]

Like them both.
Wife and other women have said they prefer the stepside:
"it looks more muscular and "hot roddy" - fleetside is cool, but it looks more modern and like newer trucks...."
FWIW, A lot more fleets made and sold than stepsides. 72 short bed stats have almost twice as many fleetsides made as stepside.

[Extended72]

Does anyone with a 72 shortbed stepside have the dimensions from center of wheel opening to front of bed please?

[67C10Step]

I've been a stepside fan since I was a teenager. There were a good many 67-72's in my area but I had the only stepside. Not the greatest truck fit and finish wise, but it was mine and I drove that sucker all over and got lots of comments on it. Photo attached. Current project is a 67 stepper because I always said if I had another it would be a 67-68 stepper.

[Carl Spangler]

JMO, that the stepper is the "better looking" bed configuration. I'm a bit biased though.

[FRCvette]

I am a step side fan myself but I wouldn't have a problem owning a short fleet especially a 68 50th.

[special-K]

If everybody wants one kind, that makes me want to build the other kind to show them how good that kind can look. I like both style beds as well as other types of beds/bodies on trucks. I am down to two 67/72s and I want one of each. Each style bed can lend better to one look than the other and vice versa. It depends on what vibe you are after with your build.
It's not unrealistic to have both beds for one truck and swap them when you want, if you can commit to that truck

[Dirt's72]

I own both step and fleetside shorts. I like the look of the fleetside and if I had to choose I'd keep the fleetside. I will admit the stepside is so much more practical. I can step on the step and grab anything in the back of the truck with no issue. With the fleetside I have to take the tailgate down and jump up in there. So really from a working standpoint it makes no sense I just like the look better.

[BRL]

I got my stepside because I pulled up to my friends place and one of his brother's friends had it in the driveway with a "FOR SALE" sign on it.

I was driving a '73 long bed but a semi-truck had pulled out in front of me and I couldn't stop in time.

Front end of that thing looked like I wrapped it around a tree, and I drove it that way to work for years, but couldn't bring myself to renew the tabs for another embarrassing year anymore.

To me stepsides look kind of funny with that big ol' cab and that tiny little bed but they do grow on you!

(early "Sideways Saturday" shot!)

[raggedjim]

Where I live you're lucky to find either in any kind of shape. Even long beds are getting scarce.

Good luck, Rg

[Ptjsk]

I have previously had short fleetsides, but always wanted a stepside. I finally came across a good one.

And as crazy as it may sound....I love the practicality of stepping up to get something in the middle of the bed.

Pat

[raggedjim]

Originally Posted by Ptjsk

I have previously had short fleetsides, but always wanted a stepside. I finally came across a good one.

And as crazy as it may sound....I love the practicality of stepping up to get something in the middle of the bed.

Pat

Ohh, and a 4x4, nice.