Fleetside is a generic term that describes pickup trucks with stepside beds. The term originates from 1958 when Chevy introduced its first truck with a broad bed. Before that, pickup trucks had narrow beds, with fender flares extending outwards on the side. This design was easier to manufacture and increased cargo capacity.
While stepside beds have been used for years on early Chevy pickups, the fleetside bed was the first to take off in mass production. In the early 1950s, the Chevy and Ford brands made a variety of models with these different bed styles. However, the ‘fleetside’ term wasn’t used until 1958 when Chevrolet introduced the ’59 truck. Today, a fleetside bed is the most common bed style.
Today, the Chevrolet Apache Fleetside is the embodiment of down-to-earth hard work. These rugged machines are used for manual labor by small businesses nationwide. As such, they are the perfect sleeper project. These trucks are built low and sleek, but their power makes them a serious piece of machinery.
What is Fleetside Vs Stepside?
A Stepside Pickup Truck is similar to a Fleetside Truck, but it has different advantages. Stepside trucks are often considered more stylish, and many truck owners feel that they improve the handling of their truck. They also have the advantage of easy access to the truck’s bed.
The first stepside pickup truck was produced by Chevrolet. It had a rectangular bed and rounded exterior fenders. The stepside was also known as “fenderside” by Dodge, GMC, and Jeep. Ford and Chevy have their own variations of this style of pickup, but they are similar to each other.
The stepside truck bed option was offered on various Chevy, GMC, and Dodge models for generations. The rounded fenders and wheel well arches remained outside of the bed, leaving a square-shaped space inside the box for cargo. Ford, however, uses the terminology “flared side” for late-model pickups.
Was There a Fleetside Chevy Truck Made?
A fleetside style truck bed is most common on Ford pickup trucks. This style of truck bed is flat on the outside with a narrower arched rear bed. The fleetside style is offered in both short-box and long-box models. The long-box version is better for carrying larger items. Chevrolet began making fleetside trucks in 1955. They were the first pickup trucks to offer a wide bed. They also eliminated the step and the fenders so that the bed sat flush with the body.
When the Chevrolet C/K series was introduced, there were two different body styles: stepside and fleetside. Fleetside trucks featured flat sides on the bed and rear quarter panels running lengthways along the wheel well openings. The streamlined loading area was more practical and appealing. In the early 1960s, consumers demanded more from their pickup trucks. They began to be used not just as commercial vehicles but also for smaller businesses. Hence, this style of truck is also a great sleeper project.
The first fleetside-styled Chevy truck was the Task Force truck, also known as the Apache Fleetside pickup. It shared the same design as the Chevy Bel Air and included the new small-block V8 engine. This model was followed by the Chevy Cameo, which introduced factory-installed four-wheel drive. The Apache Fleetside truck also had a double-wall steel cargo box and ultra-wide tailgate.
How is Fleetside Measured on a Truck?
Fleetside is a term that describes the type of truck bed. This type of bed is wider and longer than the typical short box. Fleetside trucks are also more streamlined, designed to maximize the hauling capacity. Fleetside trucks also have flat sides along the length of the bed, rather than the step found on stepside trucks. They also typically have rear quarter panels that cross the wheel well openings.
Fleetside trucks have 4.3-foot beds, while larger trucks have up to 8-foot beds. To get the correct measurement, measure the length from the inside edge of the sidewall to the inside edge of the wheel wells. Then, write down the measurement. The length of the bed will depend on how the bed is configured.
Trucks with stepside beds are considered sexier and stylish, but many truck owners prefer fleetside beds because they allow for easy access to the bed. These beds were also popular in the 1950s.
What is the Point of a Stepside Truck?
If you’re looking to get a new truck, one thing that you may want to look at is the type of bed. There are two main styles: fleetside and stepside. Fleetside trucks have a wider bed, while stepside trucks have a narrower cargo box. Fleetside trucks are usually cheaper to purchase and offer more room. Fleetside beds are also said to increase the life of your truck.
Fleetside trucks were first introduced by Ford, Chevy, and Dodge in the 1950s. They were created to make loading and unloading easier. They were also great for utility trucks, as they can accommodate utility boxes that fit on each side of the bed. This style was later adopted by the rest of the automotive industry, and it has become one of the most popular choices.
The Chevrolet F-Series was the first truck to adopt the stepside design. The wheelwell arches are placed outside the bed, and the step is usually built into the fender flare. Ford, on the other hand, focused on the “flared fender” design and has a step near the bumper.
Is Chevy Bringing Back the Stepside?
If you’ve ever seen an old pickup truck with a stepside bed and liked it, you may be interested in seeing whether Chevy is bringing the design back. It is certainly a unique style with many benefits, including a more traditional look. Moreover, these trucks offer an easier access to the bed, which is an important feature for truck enthusiasts.
The stepside design is still one of the most coveted truck styles, and it was also offered in the 1500 series. The three-series C/K truck was available with a variety of engines, including a two-liter, inline-6, and four-cylinder engines. Those engines were incredibly powerful for the time. Depending on the model, a 6.5-foot stepside truck could carry up to 1550 pounds of weight.
In the 1950s, the Chevy C/K series was available in Stepside and Fleetside body styles. Stepside models were more compact and had internal wheel arches, while Fleetside trucks were streamlined and offered an open bed. The C/K trucks were also available with steel or wood bed liners. The interior of the C/K truck was made of higher quality materials, such as velour or vinyl.
Are Stepside Trucks Rare?
When it comes to pickup trucks, are fleetside pickups rare? The answer to that question depends on the model. Most of the time, a stepside pickup was not rare. The last stepside pickups were made in the early 2000s. If you want a stepside pickup, you’ll need to pay more for it.
The original stepside pickup trucks were manufactured in the early 20th century. However, in 1955, Chevrolet introduced a new design that was more elegant. The fleetside bed came with steel floors. This style of bed was popular, and it was not long before other carmakers decided to make their trucks look more attractive. These trucks were often used by farmers, and their unique look remained popular throughout the rest of the 1950s.
These trucks are not too rare today, but they are a great way to experience a classic vehicle. These trucks are very comfortable and stylish. They represent a turning point in the pickup world, serving as a bridge between the hyper-luxe pickups of today and the spartan workhorses of yesteryear.
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