Short Box Vs Long Box

[Airspeed-Alive]

Hey everyone,

 

This is my first post on here! Looks like a great forum to be apart of.

 

Anyways, I'm thinking about selling my 2003 Cavalier (140k) for around $5500 CAD and using that money to purchase a used Z71.

 

I found two trucks in my area:

 

2003 Z71 Ext Cab

2003 Z71 Step-Side

 

Both have the 5.3, and roughly the same km's, and the owners are asking the same price. I'm having a difficult time deciding what I really want. For the most part, I don't need the longer box. I plan on using the truck for hunting, towing small trailers (and airplanes), and a bit of off-roading.

 

Would there be a significant difference on fuel economy between the two? I figure with the same engine, the short box would be a bit better due to weight. So many variables to ponder about, looking for some suggestions / advice. The look of the Step-Side is great, but I'd almost lean towards the Ext cab for functionality - and they even look great with a 4 or 6" lift.

 

...AA

[matt3]

The shorter bed is more manuverable especially in parking lots. If you don't need the bed space I'd go with the shorter one.

[Bmart]

short looks better imo

[Bowtie2Sierra]

I'm a fan of short beds but I never do any serious hauling with my truck that would necessitate a long bed. It depends on your personal needs/tastes/wants.

[bigmike007]

Short beds are great if you do minimal hauling. But i love having an ext. Cab. Mine is a Ext. Short bed z-71. And i love being able to take a bunch of people wit me.

[BuckFeverZ]

Depends if you have a need to haul a lot of shit. I have the 6' 6" bed, and sometimes wish I had an 8' box.

[dlstewart01]

Hey everyone,

 

This is my first post on here! Looks like a great forum to be apart of.

 

Anyways, I'm thinking about selling my 2003 Cavalier (140k) for around $5500 CAD and using that money to purchase a used Z71.

 

I found two trucks in my area:

 

2003 Z71 Ext Cab

2003 Z71 Step-Side

 

Both have the 5.3, and roughly the same km's, and the owners are asking the same price. I'm having a difficult time deciding what I really want. For the most part, I don't need the longer box. I plan on using the truck for hunting, towing small trailers (and airplanes), and a bit of off-roading.

 

Would there be a significant difference on fuel economy between the two? I figure with the same engine, the short box would be a bit better due to weight. So many variables to ponder about, looking for some suggestions / advice. The look of the Step-Side is great, but I'd almost lean towards the Ext cab for functionality - and they even look great with a 4 or 6" lift.

 

...AA

 

 

IN 2003 1500 both beds should be the same length. The step-side is not as wide on the inside. Or am I missing something here?

 

Now the overall length of a regular cab truck vs an ext cab truck will be different.

Don

[Airspeed-Alive]

Hey Don,

 

You are totally right! I've been looking at so many pics lately that my brain got clouded. The truck beds are both the same. I think I need to get away from this screen for a bit heh...

 

Thanks for the replies though. I think I'll lean towards the Ext Cab version. It also already has dual exhaust done, and an AEM intake. A bit harder to maneuver, but I'll survive.

[bubba33]

The 6.6 bed is a good size bed. Its a shame they only put the 5 ft beds on the crew cabs.

[piscator]

The 6.6 bed is a good size bed. Its a shame they only put the 5 ft beds on the crew cabs.

 

Agreed! Even 6'0 would be better than the 5' 8" crew-cab bed.

 

Are the bed 'inter-changeable'? Can you put a longer bed on a crew-cab bed or are the frames different? Just curious.

 

piscator

[hockeypro1411]

The 6.6 bed is a good size bed. Its a shame they only put the 5 ft beds on the crew cabs.

 

Time for an HD.