today as I was driving around doing some errands I passed by a 57 long bed styleside for sale. when I pulled over and got out tolook at it i noticed there were some bolt in steps in front of the rear fender, looked like some old chrome cast matel add on. they fit the contour of the body perfectly so I dont think it was a universal thing that they made fit. any body seen these or know were I could pick some up???

I forgot to take a pic but ill try to make it back over there when i get a chance.

 

Romak, those were a factory option!


part # C3UZ-8720092-A
maybe ND/Bill can shed some light on this. Seems like I have seen these in some catalog?
A search shows Dennis Carpenter has them

 

Coupla days ago in the 1967/72 forum, a member said he had bought 2 on ebay, said he'd been looking for them for a long time, wondered if they were genuine Ford.

My response: Genuine Ford accessory: C3UZ-8720092-A .. Body Side Step, introduced in 1963 for Styleside and Econoline pickups (C3UZ = 1963 Econoline part number prefix).

Ford "full line" accessory brochure has a pic (step is inverted D shaped), sez: "Quality aluminum auxillary side step . . . a real convenience in loading and unloading Pick-ups and Econoline. Price $9.90."

I ran the part number, found 3 NOS (edit, still available):

CARPENTER NOS OBSOLETE PARTS in Concord NC has ONE = 800-476-9653 / JST AUTOMOTIVE in Lebanon TN has TWO = 615-443-3086.

You need to cut a hole in the bedside to install it. The step isn't very deep, you can only get a coupla inches of your shoe into it. Don't attempt if wearing pointy-toed **** kickers aka cowboy boots.

Not very convenient in inclement weather, your shoe might slip out, causing you to fall backwards, landing on your backside on lawd only knows what surface. Not pleasant.

 

Were they often installed just behind the cab?

 

I've seen exactly one truck with these steps, were installed between the cab and rear wheel.

Back then, FoMoCo automatically sent the dealers all sorts of accessories just before the new model year began...whether they wanted them or not.

Most didn't want them, because...back then, the dealers were STUCK with them, as accessories could not be returned to FoMoCo for credit.

All sorts of odd accessories (like these steps, vacuum ashtrays (!), tissue dispensers) were thrown away, because customers weren't interested in buying them.

 

awsome thanks for the info. some people may be a lil angree if I grabbed up some rare NOS parts and cut em up but my idea was to cut the inside out and use them as a trim around an exhaust exit in the bed. not to sure I wanna do that thow if there not repopped.

 

Romak That sounds cool and multi-functional, just don't stick the toe of your white tennis shoe in there. Then you could keep your exhaust system tucked up above the lower body line nice and clean.
Might be kinda spendy for those if NOS. Probably shape up some tubing in a D shape and weld a flange on it to match that slight curve in the body, a little cheaper.
Good luck in your quest!