stepside to fleetside?

[ricky82g]

I really love the fleetside beds and i have a stepside it was my first truck when i was 16 so i pretty much didn't care what kind of truck i got.  I just wanted an old one with a 350.  but now i would like to swap beds and i was wondering if anybody had any sucess doing so? do they bolt right up?  thanks

[VileZambonie]

yes they will swap over. Stepsides are definitely cool though if it's a shortbed. Never liked the long bed stepsides myself

[ricky82g]

so you like the stepsides?  i just see more fleetsides fixed up then i do stepsides, i would like my truck more modern looking, you know 20" chrome wheels, lowered, nice paint job and maybe a chrome grill but nothing over the top just a clean look,  no air bags or nothing like that.  i haven't seen any stepsides fixed up like that.  I'm sure if i found a picture of some stepsides that appeal to me maybe i would keep my stepside.  Do most chevy truck owners like the stepside? or do most prefer the fleetside
thanks

[77 step]

I like stepsides.  I don't know if most people like one or the other.  I think it is a matter of personal taste.  Mine was a fleetside,and I changed it to a stepside.  I just had always wanted one.

[VileZambonie]

There's plenty of them on here... check out the members rides section and browse through.

[Blazin]

The fact that you don't see many would for me be a real good reason to keep it a stepside. Dare to be different, why blend in when you can stand out.
I prefer stepsides myself.

[ricky82g]

thanks guys for all your comments all great points.  I am 25 and my 82 stepside has been sitting down my moms for about 5 years now.  I have gotten a hair up my butt and have decided to restore my old chevy,  I don't have a big budget or a garage or that many tools, is this something that i should take on.  All the work would have to be outside.  i have noticed all the same problems that i see on this forum,  rusted cab corners, holes in the floorboards etc... what are some good universal tools to start with, what does everybody use to cut out the corners or floorboards?  does everybody take the cab and bed off and start with the frame,  i think what i am asking is what most people do in their steps if the are restoring their truck.  My goal is not to have a show quality truck that i have to dump a boat load of money in to win all these trophy's at these national competition's but something i can drive on nice day's and maybe take it to the local town car show or something like that.  I would like to take the bed and cab off and sand the frame and paint it with ? that's where my questions come from,  what grinder do i use  air or electric? what type of sand paper? blazin i think i seen that you use a sandblaster is that something cheap to get into or do some people strip everything and pay somebody to blast it? i have so many questions.  If you guy's think i should buy a book or something let me know and i won't bore you with all these questions but thinks for reading and posting any comments or answers

[ricky82g]

i did a little research and found this stuff called hammerite that you can paint right over rust,  would this be a easy and an affordable way to make a frame look good without all the hard work since i have a small budget

[VileZambonie]

I use that stuff all the time however don't use it on your frame. It will peel off unlike por-15

[hotrod24]

hey ricky I have the same problem, I have been working on my truck out side, but i got tired of the rain and the mud i want a closed in place to work. I have a 78 chevy fleet side 4x4 I got it 2 years ago and I have wanted to restore it ever sence so I am getting a 18x21 or a 20x21 so I will have a dry place to work and I dont have very many tools but i will.

[Blazin]

I have used Hamerite in the past with good luck on a frame. BUT I think they changed the formula about 8 years ago. All of a sudden its stopped working very good, happened right about the time Kilz name started showing up on the cans. They bought out the company that used to produce it.
POR 15 is good stuff, but Chassis Saver is the same thing and about half the price.

http://videos.streetfire.net/video/Chassis-Saver-Paint_153430.htm?n=next

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/CHASSIS-SAVER-Rust-Paint-1-QT-Silver-Alum-QT-Reducer_W0QQitemZ200213163336QQcmdZViewItem

It can be applied over tightly adhered rust, or sand blasted metal. If it is exposed to UV rays it needs to be top coated with some sort of catalyzed paint.
 As far as blasting you need to have a minimum of a 60 gallon tanks and a 5 HP motor 2 stage compressor to run a pressurized blaster.