Widening a 65 Chevy Stepside Bed

It is a LMC roll pan that I modified to fit between the fenders. Also had to modify the fenders a bit too.

 

You fixed the main reason I hate stepside trucks. It looks great! You have one of 3 stepside trucks I've ever liked. I can't wait to see it painted.

 

looks perfect... you captured what a bad ass truck should look like!!!

 

How about narrowing the cab on another truck and see how that improves the looks. My first new pick up was a 67 which had much better proportions than 60-66's, that's why I bought it.

 

Nice looking truck. I like the subtle mod on the bed a lot. You really fixed a design flaw there.

What paint are you using for the orange? I have a few rust issues on my C10 that I want to fix, but I just can't bring myself to repaint the truck. Your orange looks like it could be a match.

 

Paint is Rustoleum Orange (alkyd enamel), the application is a bit unique though. Check out my build thread starting at Post #77: http://talk.classicparts.com/showthread.php?t=13928&page=6

 

That's too cool! Never would have guessed Rustoleum. Looks like I'll be tackling that rust repair after all. Thanks man!

Nice touch with the 3rd brake light. I just noticed that.

 

Turned out nice. Well done!

 

Thanks for the encouraging words fellas. This is my "Good Enough" truck, just having fun with the build, taking it whatever direction it seems to go.

Here's the current status, as of Nov 2012:

 

I installed some modified bed side trim across the back of the cab at the two tone paint break line.

Pretty subtle, not very noticeable in the photos below, but it visually ties the custom cab b-pillar trim panels together.





I also mocked up some side trim on the truck, just to get a visual of how it would look. I am still 'on the fence" as to if I want the trim at all.

Comments?



I personally like the short spear look vs. the long stock spear.

 

Looking good.

 

I saw your rig on one of the other forums a while back but did not realize you widened the bed!!! NICE job and thanks for sharing the info. I'm in the middle of a long fleet to long step swap along with a rearend swap on my 64 C20 Crew... Dreading the narrowing and was seeking options here. Thought bout this awhile back and seeing it done puts the nail in the coffin. Thanks!!!

 

Man! I missed this thread so I'm really glad it got brought back up!
AWESOME truck...but more so...an awesome EYE for the details that can take a project to the next level.
Great job.

 

Thanks for the accolades guys.

Here's a link to the build thread for my truck: http://talk.classicparts.com/showthread.php?t=13928

Just as a heads up I wanted to share that I swapped out my CPP 5" rear drop coils for some CPP 4" Heavy Duty drop coils. Much better ride. The 5" were made from smaller coil spring wire, with less coils resulting in a spring rate that was way to spongy.


4" Heavy Duty Drop Springs are on the left, CPP P/N 603-4HD, 5" Drop Springs are on the right, CPP P/N 603-5

A little more rake.. which I prefer, and now I can use it to haul stuff again that weighs more than a few hundred pounds.

 

Your rig has a nice stance!
I had the same issue with my rig. My crew cab was to heavy on either so we bagged it with a c-notch. I use it as a truck as well as cruise it.

 

Cool Ol truck! I meant to say thanks, I used your shock mount design on my 70. Great writeups and info. A loss to the 67-72 board. Thanks again.

 

Very nice work!

 

Glad the shock mounts worked for ya!

 

I followed your lead on this with my long stepside. It's coming along nicely. Thanks again for sharing your info!!!

 

Mocking up some stock side trim but not in the stock configuration. Balances out the white two tone on the cab by adding some white, and some bling, to the bed.

 

Built some gravel guards for my ole Orange Crate.

Here are some photos:

Same Faux Patina process that I used on the rest of the truck

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As viewed from under the truck

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Exterior Photos

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And a comparison photo showing an OEM style guard:

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