I just purchased a new tow rig. It is a 1995 GMC 3500 crew cab 4x4 with a dual rear axle. It was at one time a state truck this is where my concern comes in.

It does not have a bed. So I just started to look into finding a bed. The little I looked around on the net has me concerned that it may not be a standard length frame. I also noticed that there are a few different width frames and axle widths.

So before I purchase a bed what should I measure and where to find out if I can use a regular bed?

Also if it is a standard frame like most people would purchase rather then the state how odd would it look with a non dually bed but with dually wheels? Any pics?

At this time in the life of State vehicles, GM probably didn't make more than standard bed lengths for domestic consumption. I'd say just track down a dually bed. I believe the only model available that year was the 8' bed. However, as a cab/chassis, you could put on a flatbed or service body, too.

A SRW bed on a dually is not attractive. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" />

At that time, dually beds were the same as fleetside beds. The only difference was at the wheelwells... Pretty much just some bolt on fender extensions.

Also, the axle is a standard width, so putting on a fleetside bed and standard single wheels (without the dually offset) will make it look like a normal pickup. That era GM truck produced a lot of fleetside 1-tons.

Oh yeah... If you convert the rear to singles, make sure you budget for a full set of 4 wheels. The fronts are offset as well (in order to facilitate tire rotation).

One more thing, unless it was modified or special order, the bed mounts will match to any bed from the same body style. This usually includes short beds on lwb frames as well as long beds on swb frames (don't ask <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />).

I measured a few things.

The frame is ~34" wide.

Back of cab to axle is ~61"

The frame sticks out ~9'2" past the back of the cab.

No bed mounts are on the frame.

...indicating that it likely had a flat bed <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />