How... do you build a stepside?

[Ken B]

better pic of bed bottom

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[AuroraGirl]

Any progress?

no

 

[AuroraGirl]

Any progress?

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[bucket]

better pic of bed bottom

You must be registered for see images attach

Hmm... looks familiar

 

[GMC_Nick]

@GMC_Nick While looking for information for Taylor I found a post for your stepside. Does the stepside bed bolt to the frame or brackets on the frame?

What Mike said, @AuroraGirl any progress?

By the way, did you ever get the rack sides? I made a set from red oak. 1 x 6's for the sides, but I needed to rip saw the uprights to the correct size. I used 1/4" carriage bolts from the inside so no bolt end to snag the load. I recessed the nuts into the thicker uprights.

For the long bed stepside there are 8 bolts total same as a standard bed. There were 4 of the 5 larger rails that lined right up with the factory frame holes and bolt through the frame with carriage bolts and offset washers. The 5th big rail just helps support the bed wood. 2 smaller rails just bolt to the wood. It was super easy to do and I just pieced it all together bit by bit and put it on by myself. I can go more into detail if someone is lost. I ended up only using 6 of the 8 bolts as well because I moved my tank to the rear and didn't want to drop the tank to get the last two in. Maybe a project for when it's warmer out. Wood stakes are coming when the weather gets warmer in PA. I need them to hide all the dents I missed on the top of the bed rails

 

[GMC_Nick]

Here's an idea of what the undersides look like on steps and fleets. Similar bedrail layout same frame mount locations. Well minus the rust and missing chunks on the fleet side.

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[Bennyt]

If you want hidden fasteners, you can tack weld nuts to the inside of the rails and put the 8 bolts in from the bottom. This is my son's with hidden fasteners.

 

[1980_C10_STEPSIDE]

Check out Mar-k as they have assembly instructions.

https://www.mar-k.com/PDFs/Instructions/GM-73-87-Short-Step.pdf

Shortbed assembly

Thanks @kkgp81 !!
That’s so helpful.