Bed Side Interchangeability - GM Short Stepside Beds
We are frequently asked questions relating to fitting a bed or bed part from one year/model
truck to a different year/model than that for which it was designed. Often the caller may
have access to a used bed that is similar to one he needs and he wants to know if it will fit
his truck. This tech information will address the interchangeability of GM short bed
stepside pickup bed parts from 1954 through 1987. We will describe the significant
features that changed as the designs changed over the years.
1954 is the first year for bed sides with horizontal top flare surfaces. Previous
years were angled. The bed side height is increased from previous models and stake pocket
shape also changed. Front bed panel has a rectangular embossed pattern extending nearly
the full width of the bed. Inside width of the bed area is 50", unchanged from
previous models. Those features remained unchanged from 1954 through the 1987 model GM
stepsides.
Following are some of the features of the various year series GM stepside beds.
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1954 - 1955 (first series) Short Bed
- An embossed pattern stamped in the bed side sheet metal follows the shape of the
fender outline where the fender attaches to the bed sides.
- Fenders have a rounded shape and are the same as those used in the 47-53 model years.
- Rear sill mounting brackets are about 4" long and 2 1/8" tall, 44 1/4" apart.
- There are three cross sills and they are about 2 1/8 tall, a little taller than
previous years. Also, beginning with the 54 year GM no longer used the wooden
bed-to-frame bed mounting blocks.
- Seven bed strips and eight boards, the same board widths as previous 51-53 model GM
beds. Board length and bed strip length is 77 1/8", slightly longer than
previous models.
- GMC and Chevrolet both had new design tailgates for this year. Tailgate is embossed
with large rectangular pattern similar to the front bed panel and "Chevrolet" or
GMC is embossed in the center area.
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1955 (second series) - 1959 Short Bed
- Bed side sheet metal is the same dimension as previous series, but the embossed pattern is
changed to three ribs about 1" wide instead of the previous pattern following the shape
of the fenders. This pattern of three ribs remained unchanged through the 1987 model.
- The fender design changed to the more squared design that was unchanged from 1955 through 1966.
- Rear sill mounting brackets are about 3" long and 2 1/8 tall, 31 3/4" apart.
- There are three cross sills, and the third from the front is different than the other
two. The third cross sill has its lower edges formed upward at the outer ends of the
cross sill.
- Seven bed strips and eight boards, the same dimensions as the 1954-1955 first series. The
bed-to-frame hole locations however are changed, making the bed wood not interchangeable with the
1954-1955 first series.
- Bed strips and angle strips have the same bolt pattern as 1954-1955 first series so they are
interchangeable.
- Chevrolet tailgate remained unchanged, The GMC tailgate logo is characterized by the large
center 'M" which extends laterally under both the "G" and the "C"
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1960-1962 Short Bed
- Bed side sheet metal is the same as the previous series but the angle strip has a different bolt
hole pattern. Therefore the bed sides of 1955-1959 may be interchanged with 1960-1962 if the
angle strip is changed to the desired year series.
- The fender design is unchanged from the 1955-1959 model.
- Rear sill mounting brackets are about 4" long and 3" tall, 39 3/4" apart. This
rear sill will not fit the frame of another year series trucks without replacing the mounting brackets.
- There are three cross sills and one reinforcing strip supporting the wood. The cross sills have
a 1" tall spacer welded at each bed-to-frame bolt location.
- Seven bed strips and eight boards. The board length is unchanged but the widths are different
than 1955-1959 models. This affects bed strip bolt locations in rear sill, cross sills,
reinforcing strip and front bed panel.
- Bed strip and angle strip bolt locations are different than 1955-1959 models, making them not interchangeable.
- Bed-to-frame bolt locations are unique for the 60-62 years. This affects bed wood, rear sill,
and cross sills. These parts should not be interchanged to any other years because of the major
modifications required.
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1963-1966 Short Bed
- Bed side sheet metal is the same as the 55-59 and 62-66 but the 55-59 angle strip has a different bolt
hole pattern. Therefore the bed sides of 1955 -1959 may be interchanged with 1960-1966 if the angle
strip is changed to the correct year series.
- The fender design is unchanged from the 55-59 and 60-62 model.
- Rear sill mounting brackets are about 4" long and 3" tall, 31 3/4" apart.
- There are three cross sills and one reinforcing strip supporting the wood. The cross sills have a
1" tall spacer welded at each bed-to-frame bolt location. Because of this welded spacer, the
cross sills should not be interchanged with any other year series due to the significant modifications
required.
- Seven bed strips and eight boards. The board length is unchanged from 60-62 models but the widths
are different than 1955-1959 models. This affects bed strip bolt locations in rear sill, cross sills,
reinforcing strip and front bed panel.
- Bed strip and angle strip bolt locations are the same as 60-62 but different than 1955-1959 models,
making them not interchangeable with 55-59.
- Chevrolet tailgate remained unchanged. GMC tailgates changed to a block style lettering beginning
in 1963.
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1967-1972 Short Bed
- Bed side sheet metal is similar to previous years but the fender and step are changed as well as the
angle strip bolt pattern. Other minor changes include the slightly larger bed side curl diameter
and tail light mounting holes on the rear stake pockets.
- The fender design changed for 1967 which changed the fender bolt pattern in the bed sides. 1968
and later fenders have side marker lights
- The rear sill mounting brackets are about 4" long and 2 1/8" tall, 31 3/4" apart.
- There are three cross sills and one reinforcing strip supporting the bed wood. The cross sills
have a similar hole pattern as the 63-66 series but do not have the 1" spacer welded on the mounting
hole locations. These cross sills could be used for the 63-66 application but would need to have
the spacers welded to fit properly.
- There are 7 bed strips and 8 boards. The bed wood boards have the same length and widths as the
63-66 series. The bed to frame bolt locations is different than the 63-66 trucks and the angle strip
bolt pattern is also changed.
- Bed strip and angle strip hole locations are different than the 63-66 series so these are not interchangeable.
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1973-1987 Short Bed
- Bed side sheet metal is similar to previous years but the fender and step are changed as well as the
angle strip bolt pattern. The bed side is shaped different than previous years in the area where
the step attaches. Other minor changes include wiring loom holes in the bed sides below the wood
in the rear area. Bed sides from this series will not work with previous years parts.
- The fender design changed for 1973 which changed the fender bolt pattern in the bed sides. There
are several minor fender design changes from year to year in the 73-87 series regarding the gas
filler door. Be aware of these differences when attempting to interchange beds within this year
series.
- The rear sill mounting brackets are about 3" long and 2 1/8" tall, 31 1/4" apart.
- There are three cross sills and two reinforcing strips supporting the bed wood. The cross sill
and reinforcing strip patterns are different from all others so they are not interchangeable with other
year series.
- There are 6 bed strips and 7 boards. The bed wood boards have the same length as the previous
years but the widths and mounting bolt patterns are different making them difficult to interchange.
- Bed strip and angle strip hole locations are different than all previous years so these are not
interchangeable. 73 -87 angle strips have their bolts welded into the angle strips holes.
Replacement of the bolts is difficult. Removing the boards from under the angle strip is not
possible without ruining the board or totally separating the bedside, front bed panel, and rear sill.
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