4.3Toy:
You're right, the original bed is 9' long. The running boards are cab-length (like the cab-chassis models) with an additional section which flares out to meet the dually fenders. The 9' bed was used on both 1-ton and 1-1/2 ton pickups, but dual rear wheels were only available on the 1-1/2 tons. Like the front fenders, the wheel openings for 1-ton and 1-1/2 ton trucks are larger than the 1/2 and 3/4 ton little brothers.
This type of 9' bed was used from about 1934 to 46, using different running boards and fenders depending on year. (The 47-54 Advanced Design 9' bed is different). The dually rear fenders for 41-46 were first used in 37. Apparently Chevy didn't see fit to re-design them for such small production numbers.
By the way, Chevy also produced 1-1/2 ton dually panel trucks and canopy express trucks which used the same fenders. The panels are a little more plentiful than the pickups, but I have yet to see an actual canopy express, except in literature. Regardless, anything with the dually rear fenders is pretty rare. Shawn did a good job of making his rear fenders from a set of fronts.
Bob
