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'55-56 Dodge pickup running board length?

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by 6DODGE6RAM6, Feb 7, 2013.

  1. 6DODGE6RAM6
    Joined: Jun 5, 2011
    Posts: 25

    6DODGE6RAM6
    Member
    from Lemont, IL

    Does anyone happen to know the length of the running boards on a '55 1/2 ton?

    Long story short,my '55 came with a homebuilt wood and steel stakebed on it,and last winter I put a '57 style stock "step-side" bed on it. Now when I try to reinstall the running boards on the truck,they are too long,almost to the rear wheel. I just need to know how much to trim off.
     
  2. MoparJoel
    Joined: May 21, 2012
    Posts: 860

    MoparJoel
    Member

    They should be the same as the 57?! maybe its off a longed I will go measure my 57 shortbeds to compare...:confused:
     
  3. MoparJoel
    Joined: May 21, 2012
    Posts: 860

    MoparJoel
    Member

  4. 6DODGE6RAM6
    Joined: Jun 5, 2011
    Posts: 25

    6DODGE6RAM6
    Member
    from Lemont, IL

    They may have been off a longbed,who knows. Here's how they looked on the truck when it had the old bed,almost to the rear wheels. they measure out to 5'8". Anyway,thanks for the measurement.

    [​IMG]
     

  5. 6DODGE6RAM6
    Joined: Jun 5, 2011
    Posts: 25

    6DODGE6RAM6
    Member
    from Lemont, IL

    And a more recent shot of it,with the "stock" bed

    [​IMG]
     
  6. MoparJoel
    Joined: May 21, 2012
    Posts: 860

    MoparJoel
    Member

    yeah no problem as far as I know the 57 and 56 are the exact same bed/cab so It is correct for your truck, looking at those steps those have to be long bed steps.
     
  7. MoparJoel
    Joined: May 21, 2012
    Posts: 860

    MoparJoel
    Member

    BTW...Nice looking truck too!;)
     
  8. 6DODGE6RAM6
    Joined: Jun 5, 2011
    Posts: 25

    6DODGE6RAM6
    Member
    from Lemont, IL

    Thanks,it's definitely a work in progress.
     
  9. Hey, I just measured the ones on my 57 which is a long bed and they are 5'8" so that must be what yours are off. Your truck looks good!
     
  10. Interesting! I have a 56 long bed original and the running boards are 5'. Big rear fenders (stock), 7 1/2' bed and 116" WB.
     
  11. MoparJoel
    Joined: May 21, 2012
    Posts: 860

    MoparJoel
    Member

    I want to see a picture of that! does the step start halfway down the door?:confused:
     
  12. X2!! Mine is 116" wheelbase, 7'6" bed, I bought it from the original owners with 54,000 miles so it's defiantly original.:D
     
  13. Pic attached. I measured again. It is 60" and goes to the front of the door. Measured bed as well. 7 1/2'.

    Looks original, and I have ownership and maintenance records going back to the original purchase and there is no indication that it is not all from the factory.
     

    Attached Files:

  14. That's interesting....mine is all apart so I can't take a picture to compare, I'll have to see if I can find one....
     
  15. MoparJoel
    Joined: May 21, 2012
    Posts: 860

    MoparJoel
    Member

    Thats weird I measured mine again and its a 6-1/2 ft bed with a 60inch/5ft step. and 57 and 55 should be the same frame but maybe they kept the rear axle closer to the cab in 55? and later moved it back?! :confused: mine measures 3 ft exactly from my center of my rear wheel to the back of the bed/tailgate .:confused::confused::confused::confused::confused::confused::confused::confused:????????? this is kinda freaky....:eek:
     
  16. My mistake-- bed is actually 6 1/2'. Previous owner told me 7 1/2 and that stuck in my mind because it looks that long w/o tailgate. Also, the tag and original title show it as model C3-B8-116, which means that it should be 116" WB which should mean a 7 1/2' bed.

    I just measured, and it is actually had a 108" WB. Looks like Dodge was a bit sloppy.

    Sorry to confuse HAMBers with my confusion--and Dodge's apparent assembly line mistake!

    Bob
     
  17. That makes more sense...mystery solved!!:D
     
  18. MoparJoel
    Joined: May 21, 2012
    Posts: 860

    MoparJoel
    Member

    I was going Crazy trying to think of how those dimensions were possible! .....lol good to know Im not totally crazy!:D Short beds are cooler anyways....
     
  19. Hey now!! Long beds can be cool!!:D
     
  20. 6DODGE6RAM6
    Joined: Jun 5, 2011
    Posts: 25

    6DODGE6RAM6
    Member
    from Lemont, IL

    just a little update,my buddy came over with the welder this past weekend and the end result was a sectioned running bard,reusing the end curve where the running board meets the fender. turned out good...

    [​IMG]
     
  21. MoparJoel
    Joined: May 21, 2012
    Posts: 860

    MoparJoel
    Member

    Looks good from here...glad you made it work, Does it make it any easier getting into?:D
     
  22. 6DODGE6RAM6
    Joined: Jun 5, 2011
    Posts: 25

    6DODGE6RAM6
    Member
    from Lemont, IL

    I didn't mind the missing running boards,but anyone who went for a ride would bitch about the lack of running boards. Besides,the truck looks more complete now.
     

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