Author Topic: 88-98 stepside bed on 81 stepside (Read 16289 times)

Psycho_Bob · « **on:** July 23, 2009, 05:06:14 am »

I have an '81 stepside SWB C10 that I am planning on fixing up a little. The stepside bed on it is needing a lot of attention. The fenders both have the top under the bed rail rusted out and the steps are both pretty well gone. Instead of dropping a grand or so on new sheet metal and wood, I would like to convert over to an 88-98 stepside bed. The pictures of flat black's truck look really good, but I am wondering how much work is involved in mounting the bed. Will bracketry have to be made to hold the bed in place or is it as simple as drilling new holes in the frame? Also, how hard is getting the gas filler necks to line up?

Thanks in advance

VileZambonie · « **Reply #1 on:** July 23, 2009, 09:01:20 am »

I would look for a good used step or fleet before I'd ever consider this swap...the 73-87 stepsides look sweet

Captkaos · « **Reply #2 on:** July 23, 2009, 11:15:19 am »

There is a member on here with a 88-99 bed, may want to ask him.
Just my opinion, but I don't think the lines look good though

Psycho_Bob · « **Reply #3 on:** July 24, 2009, 04:44:26 am »

Don't get me wrong, I like my stepside but living in the rust belt has taken a toll on the truck. Other than the box itself and the tail gate, everything needs replaced. Its just hard to justify paying to get back into shape when I can get a good rust free bed for $400 that just needs a repaint. I actually kind of dug the body lines after the be had the 1" body lift on it and removed the bottom chrome trim but then again I also like the Pontiac Aztek, so you know my sense of style is a little off.

beastie_3 · « **Reply #4 on:** August 30, 2009, 06:03:31 pm »

Anyone found a "how to" on this?

Psycho Bob, ever complete it?

87OldYeller · « **Reply #5 on:** September 02, 2009, 07:55:07 pm »

Psycho Bob where you from ?

frantic_tictoc · « **Reply #6 on:** October 08, 2009, 03:52:29 pm »

could somebody please post a link to the "flat black truck" with the conversion i saw it the other day but i cant find it now, i was thinking about doing this with a truck used for 1/4 mile times and daily driving also does anybody know the weight differences between the newer stepside and a 85 fleetside?

pwrfool · « **Reply #7 on:** October 08, 2009, 06:49:22 pm »

Here ya go this is the link to the guy you want to talk to.
http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=11803.0

also found more pics and info here (and its green now not flat black anymore)
http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=11729.0

flat black · « **Reply #8 on:** October 09, 2009, 09:07:44 am »

Thats me....

......i have some pics of it when it was 1st put on, then painted black and now drab green. The bed fits decent an inch higher than the cab, just drill new frane holes( but measure twice and drill once...lol) The beds are a decently low in price, but the tail lights do throw people off. The filler neck issue sucks, i took a coat hanger and made a piece that fit then i went to a local muffler shop and they bent me some stainless pipe , then i used rubber hose to connect it to the tank and the bed. I dont have pics of that sorry....I used a roll pan since i have a body lift and didnt care for the gap(80.00 on ebay). The bed takes some getting use to tho, i changed my rad support to the 89-91 blazer/suburban/3500 style so it fit in a little better. The bed also is alot lighter than my shortbed, the wiring is a piece of cake also. I used DEI custom street rod light up bolts for the plate lights , they look good/brite and are that super white color. Here are some of my truck for reference, any questions just ask ill help you anytime...the first pic is before its raised, and not perfectly centered then after that i centered it, raised it an inch and the color just changes....Still yet to install my cowl hood and new passenger door....I dont have any pics of the whole truck without flares, it prob would look decent like that but my 39s stick out too far and the fronts need cuttout fenders so offroad they dont hit............here you go...