How Easy is It to Swap a Stepside for a Regular Bed

dap [OP] Member

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Hi! Total newbie here. Just got a 2002 Tocoma Prerunner w/ stepside bed. Would love to get a truck cap but having trouble confirming bed dimensions are the same for stepside vs "regular" bed. Can anyone here confirm?
Also, any recommendations for truck caps? I've been looking at A.R.E. but am opent to any suggestions from folks on this forum.

Thanks in advance!
DAP
eon_blue woke up and chose naproxen

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The step sides have different bed dimensions, you need a step side cap for it and those are a pretty rare find these days. Will have to keep your eyes peeled for a used one
0xDEADBEEF River Trash Aficionado

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Step side is gonna be narrower
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I was afraid that was going to be the answer. Thanks for chiming in. Much appreciated.
essjay Part-Time Lurker

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This really begs the question of: Why buy a stepside if you're planning on installing a shell?
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It was given to me. And would like to get a shell, but not a dealbreaker.
essjay Part-Time Lurker

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That makes sense. Good luck!
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I've seen a couple pop up in the buy/sell/trade section on here over the years, step sides were pretty rare compared to the regular beds
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Thanks. I'll definitely keep my eye out.
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Yes check the bst ,and other web sites ,,or go reg bed ,,welcome to tw,,,ps where u from ?
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thanks! i live in the sierra foothills, just west of truckee / tahoe in california.
can you say more about what you mean by "or go reg bed"?
eon_blue woke up and chose naproxen

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He means to swap the step side bed out for a regular bed, then you can find a cap much more easily
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gotcha. i didn't even think that was possible. hard to do?
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A standard bed will most likely be easier to find than a stepside shell. I imagine the only thing different between the two beds would be the fuel filler neck, but not necessarily. 4 bolts hold the bed to the frame.
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@dap - do you have any details and photos of this unicorn stepside?
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i'll take some photos later today and post them here.
Maybe switch to a regular bed? I can't imagine how small a step side bed is.
There are always beds at the wrecking yards, I've seen some really clean ones. But also some super beat and abused ones too.

If you want to go that route I can help swap it out and paint it. Should take far less than an hour to swap a bed.