77 bed vs 85 bed

[rewardedgamer]

ok so im wondering what the differences between the years are on the beds are.... and would you steer away from a restored truck with an 85 bed?

[zieg85]

Subtle differences is all.  A 77 bed single tank you have the gas tank on the passenger side and have a gas cap showing while in 1985 the single tank is on the drivers side and the bed would have a gas door.  Unless you are a purist the 1985 is actually an upgrade as fueling them up is easier.  The tailgates would be different in the scripting, 77 would be in the center while 85 would be to the right, see http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php/topic,15684.0.html

[Irish_Alley]

i think the biggest difference is the gas cap. up to 78? it was just mounted to the bed, post 78 you have the fuel door. there are other things also like which side the fuel door is on and how the tailgate mounts

[rewardedgamer]

Subtle differences is all.  A 77 bed single tank you have the gas tank on the passenger side and have a gas cap showing while in 1985 the single tank is on the drivers side and the bed would have a gas door.  Unless you are a purist the 1985 is actually an upgrade as fueling them up is easier.  The tailgates would be different in the scripting, 77 would be in the center while 85 would be to the right, see http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php/topic,15684.0.html

so is it bad my truck has a different year bed?

[zieg85]

Subtle differences is all.  A 77 bed single tank you have the gas tank on the passenger side and have a gas cap showing while in 1985 the single tank is on the drivers side and the bed would have a gas door.  Unless you are a purist the 1985 is actually an upgrade as fueling them up is easier.  The tailgates would be different in the scripting, 77 would be in the center while 85 would be to the right, see http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php/topic,15684.0.html

so is it bad my truck has a different year bed?

No, done all the time and unless your a 73-87 GM fan no one will know.  I think it should be considered as an upgrade.  More ECO friendly cause the gas cap seals better

[rewardedgamer]

what am i suppose to say to some dude if he has a 1977 and ask why mine has gas doors lol

[Irish_Alley]

ask him why someone converted his and took away the door lol or just say yours was a late 77 so its considered a 78. and in 78 they switch to the doors

[Jason S]

what am i suppose to say to some dude if he has a 1977 and ask why mine has gas doors lol

You could mix and match bedsides and put together a bed without any fuel filler location... 

I have a '73 GMC and a '74 Chevy with fuel filler door beds;   And I have some OCD friends that point out this or that and say "that's not factory."

At that point,  I politely tell them that if they want to correct it so bad, then by all means go find and buy the factory correct parts and do any and all necessary repairs (repair rust, strip paint, etc) and make it as factory.  I haven't had anyone take me up on the offer yet.

Besides, with having the fuel filler door bed, I can tell you that I haven't missed gasoline running down the side of the bed and all the hassles that the flush filler caps bring. 

FYI: When I swapped beds, I kept the factory tanks and used the newer fillers. If you need them, I have the part numbers for the GM fuel filler hoses that I used with my bed swaps.

[BSR63]

In the process of the bed "nightmare" as we speak. Have a '76 and the bed was a complete lost cause. Bondo and rust beyond saving. Found a newer bed, square fuel doors, dual tanks, a lot less rust with minor repairs coming. You will have to search for all of the parts, cause the newer tanks have a larger openings into the tank and filler neck, hoses, etc... Newer beds have better fuel fillers with no back splash. Long story short, get the newer bed cause you can get a locking gas cap and it wont look terrible (hidden). My 76 would leak, and you could see the fuel spill history on the side of the bed. 8 carrige bolts and the bed is off, minus the wires. If youre not restoring for a concours inspection, get the newer bed.

[2tone4by]

Hey Jason, can you post the. number of the filler necks and hoses you used on your bed swap. thanks a bunch.....

[Jason S]

Hey Jason, can you post the. number of the filler necks and hoses you used on your bed swap. thanks a bunch.....

For the filler necks:  They were the stock fillers that came with the bed. I could not find where I wrote down the year model for the bed on the '73, but I think it was from an '82 model truck.

For the hoses:
GM part numbers.  These may or may not still be available. For the parts I used, the invoice date is 02/21/01. 

Qty     Part number
  2          14000286
  1          14036751
  1          14036752

This is what it looks like after almost 13 years. I don't recall any issues with fitment, but again it has been nearly 13 years ago.  I will say that I haven't had any leaks, from either tank, at the filler.


Hope this helps.