If you're currently neck-deep in a recovery project, you've most likely realized that 73-87 chevy truck bed dimensions aren't just random numbers—they're the between a part fitting properly and a very expensive error. The "Square Body" era of GENERAL MOTORS trucks is debatably one of the particular most iconic runs in automotive background, but keeping track of the particular different configurations will get a bit complicated. Whether you're purchasing a new bed liner, hunting for the replacement tailgate in a swap meet, or trying to see if that outdated camper shell within your neighbor's yard will actually fit, you need the right specs.
Let's be honest: these trucks were built to work. Back in the particular 70s and 1980s, nobody was concerned about "lifestyle vehicles. " These were tools. Because of that, Chevy offered a few different bed setups to take care of everything from plantation chores to carrying construction supplies. Knowing what type you have—and the particular measurements that go with it—is the first step for you to get your truck looking and functioning ideal.
Breaking Lower the Bed Measures
When all of us talk about your bunk beds on these vehicles, the most obvious difference is the duration. Most people simply call them "short beds" or "long beds, " but the actual tape gauge readings tell an even more precise story.
For the brief bed models, you're looking at a bed that is roughly 6. 5 ft long. If a person pull your recording measure from the particular front header -panel (the part right behind the cab) to the inside of of the tailgate, it should strike about 76 to 77 inches . These types of are the vehicles everyone wants for all those clean, sporty road builds. They're easier to park, look great lowered, and generally have a more "balanced" look if you aren't thinking about hauling a literal great deal of gravel each day.
On the other hand, the long bed is the particular workhorse. This is usually a full 8-foot bed. When you measure it the same way, you're going to view a number around 98 ins . If you're a contractor or a DIYer who spends a lot associated with time at the lumber yard, this particular is the bed you want. It's long enough to fit a standard 4x8 sheet of plywood with the tailgate closed, which will be a luxury numerous modern "trucks" don't even offer anymore.
Fleetside versus. Stepside Widths
Aside from the particular length, you've obtained the type of the particular bed sides. This particular is where the particular 73-87 chevy truck bed dimensions start to vary quite a bit with regards to width and volume.
The Fleetside is the particular traditional straight-sided bed. The wheels are usually tucked inside the particular bed, creating these classic fender water wells that use up the bit of your floor space. The complete exterior width associated with a Fleetside bed is roughly 70 in order to 72 inches , depending on specifically where you measure. It's a clear look that matches the width associated with the cab, producing the whole truck appear like one solid unit.
After that you have the Stepside (sometimes called Fenderside by GENERAL MOTORS CO fans). These bed frames have a very much narrower interior, usually around 50 inches wide , because the particular rear fenders are mounted on the outside of the bed box. You get those great little steps involving the cab and the particular fender, and one more step behind the fender. While they don't hold mainly because much cargo, these people have a vintage, old-school look that's difficult to beat. In case you're measuring a Stepside, keep in mind that the floor is nearly constantly made of wood planks rather than the ribbed metal floor you find in the Fleetside.
The Critical Size Between Wheel Wells
If you own a Fleetside, the most crucial measurement for hauling isn't the particular total width—it's the particular width between the wheel wells. This is the narrowest point from the bed floor.
On the 73-87 Chevy trucks, that will width is nearly exactly 49 to 50 inches . This was a planned design choice. Given that a standard linen of plywood or drywall is 48 inches wide, Chevy made sure presently there was just enough area to slide individuals sheets flat on the floor among the wheel curve.
It's actually a bit of a tight squeeze sometimes, especially if you have a thick spray-in bed liner or even if the metal has been damaged over the last forty yrs. Normally, that 50-inch gap is what makes these trucks so practical. If you're looking in a Stepside, you don't have in order to worry about wheel wells inside the bed, but the whole bed is basically the same width as that gap, therefore you're still working with that 50-inch constraint throughout.
Tailgate and Depth Measurements
We can't talk about bed dimensions without mentioning the tailgate. The opening on the Fleetside bed is approximately sixty to 62 inches wide . Nevertheless, you have in order to be careful here. While the bed frames stayed mostly exactly the same from 1973 to 1987, the tailgate latches and hinges actually changed slightly around 1981.
If you're grabbing a tailgate from a junkyard, don't just presume it'll bolt right on. The dimensions of the gate itself are fundamentally identical, but the way it connects to the bed sides could be different. Constantly check those hinge pivots!
Because for the level, these beds aren't as deep as the massive "bathtubs" they put on trucks today. The height from the particular floor to the top of the bed rail is definitely usually around 19 ins . This is really the sweet spot—it's deep enough to maintain your gear secure, yet shallow enough that will you can actually reach over the side and get something out of the bed without needing the ladder.
Precisely why Year Matters for the Bed Search
It's a common misconception that every single a part of a 1973 truck fits a 1987 truck. While the primary 73-87 chevy truck bed dimensions remained remarkably constant, the mounting factors and the front from the bed transformed simply a tiny bit.
One example is, in 1973-1976, the frames were slightly different in the rear compared to the particular 1977-1987 models. If you're seeking to exchange a late-model bed onto an early-model frame, you will probably find that the bolt openings don't line up perfectly. Usually, it's only a matter of drilling a few of new holes, but it's some thing to keep within mind if you're looking for the "bolt-on" solution.
Also, don't forget the fuel doors. Earlier trucks experienced exposed gas caps that stuck out of the side of the bed. Later vehicles (starting around 1979-1980) switched to a recessed fuel door with a flap. If you're a stickler for creativity, you'll want in order to make sure the particular bed you're buying has the correct style of gas opening for your specific year.
Practical Techniques for Calculating Your Truck
If you're out in the field and need in order to verify dimensions rapidly, here's a professional suggestion: don't just calculate the floor. Measure the diagonal distance from one front corner towards the opposite rear corner. If the 2 diagonal measurements aren't the same, the bed is "tweaked" or out of square. These types of old trucks have often been by means of some rough stuff, and a bed that looks fine from five feet away might actually be twisted through years of weighty hauling or a vintage fender-bender.
Furthermore, if you're buying a bed floor replacement or a plot panel, always gauge twice and cut once. The ribbed patterns in the steel floors can vary slightly in between aftermarket manufacturers, set up overall 73-87 chevy truck bed dimensions are right.
At the particular end of the particular day, these trucks are beloved mainly because they're simple. They will use straightforward measurements that make feeling. Whether you're rocking a Short Bed Stepside for the weekend vehicle shows or a good 8-foot Fleetside for a work truck, knowing these figures helps you keep a piece associated with American history upon the road. It's all about the information, and when it comes to the Square Entire body, the details are usually written in inches and steel.