stepside vs fleet side short box

[Shane B]

You can always switch to a fleetside bed later on.

 

[man-a-fre]

both are desireable trucks;
The key being short box, as most regular cab were the 8 foot box and the short (6') box was normally relegated to trucks with the extended cab.
I used to prefer the looks of the step side, but I have changed so that when I started casually looking for a possible truck* I was only interested in a fleetside;
I find that the fleet side is a nice balance of practicality and styling.
Sure I cannot fit a whole 4x8 sheet of plywood inside the box, but it is nearly as big;
To compare (if I got a correct source here):
88-98 short box fleet side inside measurements = 69-3/4" wide x 77" long
88-98 short box step side inside measurements = 56-1/2 wide x 77-1/4" long
Granted the fleet side does lose some width from the wheel wells, but there is still ALOT more useable space.

* = at the time I wrote off being able to get my grandfathers truck, which was owned by my cousin.

As said here if you plan on hauling anything get a fleetside.

 

[RedblackTruck89]

both are desireable trucks;
The key being short box, as most regular cab were the 8 foot box and the short (6') box was normally relegated to trucks with the extended cab.
I used to prefer the looks of the step side, but I have changed so that when I started casually looking for a possible truck* I was only interested in a fleetside;
I find that the fleet side is a nice balance of practicality and styling.
Sure I cannot fit a whole 4x8 sheet of plywood inside the box, but it is nearly as big;
To compare (if I got a correct source here):
88-98 short box fleet side inside measurements = 69-3/4" wide x 77" long
88-98 short box step side inside measurements = 56-1/2 wide x 77-1/4" long
Granted the fleet side does lose some width from the wheel wells, but there is still ALOT more useable space.

* = at the time I wrote off being able to get my grandfathers truck, which was owned by my cousin.

Very good info on the differences.

 

[PlayingWithTBI]

The key being short box, as most regular cab were the 8 foot box and the short (6') box was normally relegated to trucks with the extended cab.
I used to prefer the looks of the step side, but I have changed so that when I started casually looking for a possible truck* I was only interested in a fleetside;
I find that the fleet side is a nice balance of practicality and styling.
Sure I cannot fit a whole 4x8 sheet of plywood inside the box, but it is nearly as big;
To compare (if I got a correct source here):
88-98 short box fleet side inside measurements = 69-3/4" wide x 77" long
88-98 short box step side inside measurements = 56-1/2 wide x 77-1/4" long
Granted the fleet side does lose some width from the wheel wells, but there is still ALOT more useable space.

I've posted this before - some plywood like 4X8 melamine and pre-finished plywood is actually bigger than 48X96" - they're closer to 49X97" and won't fit in the bed of my pickup. That's why I modified a trailer to accommodate the plywood and 12' boards. Then I just back the trailer into my shop and unhook from it so I don't have to unload and move the lumber twice

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[thegawd]

gotta love the matching rims! sweet set up Peter. I do something similar with my 6x8 dump trailer.

 

[Erik the Awful]

My stepside will fit a 4x8 sheet of plywood flat on the floor if I drop the tailgate. Monday I loaded up a washer and dryer and dragged them across town. A couple days ago I used it to drag a couple doors home from the junkyard. I think the 'extra capacity' of fleetsides is overrated. Do I need an extra 8" of width? Not really, and I like having a box that doesn't have wheel wells intruding into it.

 

[93sierrak1500]

The only issue with a stepside for me is finding a toolbox to fit. I don´t haul much but whatever I do haul fits in the bed.