Narrowing a Square Fleetside Bed

[Gearheadsqce]

Anyone ever narrowed a Fleetside Bed and then used Dually fenders to bring it back to stock width?

I think it might look cool to keep the Fleetside tail lights in place and give it a finished look. The tail gate would have a section removed from the middle.


I would do it on a Short Box, but it probably would look good on an 8 footer too.


Photoshop would be my friend, but I don't have a clue about that.

 

[TotalyHucked]

Like this one? Seen it at Dino’s twice now, it’s pretty good

White Knight

Heading Title We first got to know Mike Millan at Dino’s Git-Down last year. He was cruising the show in his “mini me” tribute go kart replica of his full size truck. We stopped him to check out th…

cktruckmag.com

 

[Gearheadsqce]

TotalyHucked,

Yes that's the idea!
I'd sure like to see some more photos of it, particularly a straight on shot from the back.

Thanx for posting. Anybody else?

 

[Bennyt]

It looks good and has a very factory look. Besides the white one, there is another 1-2 running around the Phoenix area I've seen.

 

[TotalyHucked]

TotalyHucked,

Yes that's the idea!
I'd sure like to see some more photos of it, particularly a straight on shot from the back.

Thanx for posting. Anybody else?

Found his Instagram, there's a ton more pictures there. poisedhipster is his handle

moonbeam (@poisedhipster) • Instagram photos and videos

6,940 Followers, 1,270 Following, 469 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from moonbeam (@poisedhipster)

www.instagram.com

 

[YakkoWarner]

Only thing I would consider with that would be to narrow the gate by trimming equal amounts off both sides rather than a chunk out of the middle, simply because it you would have a cut/weld seam right down the center of one of the most visible panels otherwise.

 

[Gearheadsqce]

Thanx for the Instagram link.

Studying that truck more closely, he didn't use Dually fenders. Rather, he grafted true Stepside fenders which have more pleasing lines. A lot more work but worth it.

Cutting the tailgate could be done a number of ways. Any method will require a lot of metal finishing to make it perfect.

The more I look at it, the more I like it. Could see the concept use in a Pro Street theme. I like this one too!

 

[Gearheadsqce]

I'm about to buy a 1984 Long bed. I really would prefer a short box, but this truck checks all the other boxes for me. And, it is within my price range. That being said, I would consider shortening this one up.

I like both the Fleetside and Stepside versions. I might even opt for a Blazer length build.

So, this brings up a couple of other questions.

Is a short bed 6 1/2 ft. box the same length as a Blazer quarter panel? I have been told that it is. But the difference of 11" between the wheel bases makes me think that the blazer side is a bit shorter. I don's see that the normal bed gap of 2 or 3 inches and the distance between the door opening and the back of a cab would be that much. Can anyone verify the actual length of the Blazer side from door edge to the end of the tail light?

While I'm asking, does anyone have the overall length of a step side fender?
Is it the same length as a Dually fender? I know they are not interchangeable.
What about the widths of the two?
Calculations would make the Stepside about 15" which seems like a lot.

Thanx to all who have a tape measure and a few minutes to respond,

Bruce

 

[bucket]

That step/fleetside thing is kinda cool. The rear looks odd to me though, since the tailgate and bumper were narrowed, but they are still as tall as they were before. Losing the bumper for a roll pan may improve the proportions. I definitely like how they still incorporated the side step.

I'm about to buy a 1984 Long bed. I really would prefer a short box, but this truck checks all the other boxes for me. And, it is within my price range. That being said, I would consider shortening this one up.

I like both the Fleetside and Stepside versions. I might even opt for a Blazer length build.

So, this brings up a couple of other questions.

Is a short bed 6 1/2 ft. box the same length as a Blazer quarter panel? I have been told that it is. But the difference of 11" between the wheel bases makes me think that the blazer side is a bit shorter. I don's see that the normal bed gap of 2 or 3 inches and the distance between the door opening and the back of a cab would be that much. Can anyone verify the actual length of the Blazer side from door edge to the end of the tail light?

While I'm asking, does anyone have the overall length of a step side fender?
Is it the same length as a Dually fender? I know they are not interchangeable.
What about the widths of the two?
Calculations would make the Stepside about 15" which seems like a lot.

Thanx to all who have a tape measure and a few minutes to respond,

Bruce

I'm not home to measure stuff, but I'm pretty sure a Blazer quarter panel is a little shorter. The stepside fender is definitely wider/deeper than a dually fender. Longer too, I think.

Dually fenders are fiberglass/SMC. Stepside fenders are sheetmetal. If you want fenders that are custom shaped to go with custom shaped bedsides, steel is going to be "easier" to work with. It will still be a monumental task with a lot of tedious fabrication work though. That and I believe aftermarket stepside fenders are still readily available, where dually fenders are much harder to locate.

 

[squaredeal91]

Anyone ever narrowed a Fleetside Bed and then used Dually fenders to bring it back to stock width?

I think it might look cool to keep the Fleetside tail lights in place and give it a finished look. The tail gate would have a section removed from the middle.


I would do it on a Short Box, but it probably would look good on an 8 footer too.


Photoshop would be my friend, but I don't have a clue about that.

Pretty cool idea. I came close to doing a 3+3 dually short bed conversion. And thought about using a step side bed instead. Probably widen the step bed to make it work?

 

[Gearheadsqce]

Well, I answered some of my own questions.
A Short Box Side measures 81" from the front edge to the rear of the tail light at the body crease.
A Blazer is 77.5".

From the front edge of the Short Box to the center of the rear axle is 42.5" measured with my calibrated eyeball.
The same dimension for the Blazer is 36.5"

This shows that the Blazer is shorter both in front of and behind the axle.

Inquiring minds want to know.

I am going to look for and measure an 8'(?) box and both a Step Side and a Dually fender when I come across those parts.

If anyone else wants to contribute, pleas feel free to do so.

Still looking to build a Frankentruck!

 

[Gearheadsqce]

Anyone know this truck? This is the only pic I can find and can't seem to find the origin of it.

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