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Utiline box changes

Posted: Sun Jan 03, 2021 1:39 pm
by marklein
I found an interesting difference in utiline boxes today. The 63 box i have has steps that are the same length. The 66 box i have had unequal length steps, the driver's side being longer. I measured where the fender bolts on, the early one has the fender an inch forward from the later. I previously believed they were all the same. Anyone else come across this?

Re: Utiline box changes

Posted: Sun Jan 03, 2021 8:27 pm
by Hobcobble
There were 4 lengths of steps in the Sweptline era, that I know of, to
go with the 114", 122", 128" 133" [?] Utiline boxes. I wonder if a
previous owner might have replaced one of your steps with one
from a post-Sweptline Utiline box? :thinking

John

Re: Utiline box changes

Posted: Sun Jan 03, 2021 9:11 pm
by marklein
The steps are unmolested. I measured where the small tub is inside of the box panel. The 63 box panel is different than the 66 box panel. An inch further ahead. This is contrary to all I've heard about the utilize, but I see no modifications done to the 63.

Re: Utiline box changes

Posted: Sun Jan 03, 2021 10:17 pm
by PwrWgnDrvr
marklein wrote:
Sun Jan 03, 2021 1:39 pm
I found an interesting difference in utiline boxes today. The 63 box i have has steps that are the same length. The 66 box i have had unequal length steps, the driver's side being longer. I measured where the fender bolts on, the early one has the fender an inch forward from the later. I previously believed they were all the same. Anyone else come across this?
You're saying 2 things here:
1. That the early box is stamped 1" different than the later box.
a.But are they the same overall length?
2. That the later box has a different length step on the passenger side than the driver side.
a. Are both side panels stamped the same?
b. How much is the difference in the step lengths?
c. Do either of the later box steps match the length of the early box steps?

Re: Utiline box changes

Posted: Mon Jan 04, 2021 1:25 pm
by marklein
The early box side is the same 79 inches in length as the later. Stamping appears the same except for the tub is 1 inch further forward. The steps on the early are both 14 3/8 or so in length. The later truck the driver's step goes to about 15 1/2 or so in length. The later box is the same on the passenger side as the early box. It was a Fargo, not sure if that makes a difference.

Re: Utiline box changes

Posted: Mon Jan 04, 2021 6:51 pm
by PwrWgnDrvr
Sounds like the factory put an early step on the passenger side and the mystery is whether that was intentional, and if so, why?

Re: Utiline box changes

Posted: Mon Jan 04, 2021 9:00 pm
by Hobcobble
Post up some photos of what you're working with. :idea

John