Step side bed wear strips
 

So i disassembled the 1986 8' stepside bed i purchased last weekend to get it ready for some new wood and hardware. I was expecting the same type of construction as the bed on my 70. Boy was I wrong, the angles welded to the bed sides have studs vice carriage bolts. I figured ok, I can work with that. Then while removing the "square nuts" holding the bed wear strips in between each board I find they are studs too. Again not carriage bolts. I mention this because my 70 bed has all carriage bolts holding the wood in place.

The issue, some of the studs broke off while I was attempting to remove the nuts. From what I can tell, all the "bed bolt kits" include carriage bolts and not studs i can press in. What have you all done? I don't want to buy new strips since the ones I have are solid. Here are some pics, sorry for the poor light.

Re: Step side bed wear strips
 

I have put the strips upside down on some blocks of wood and put a socket on the back over the head of the stud and tap it out backwards. They usually pop right out but a little bit of heat will help pop them out without bending the strip. Then I had the round holes on the original strips punched out square at a welding shop for 50$ or so I think. The side strips I drilled the spot welds to the sides and drilled the heads off the bolts and had them punched out square as well

Re: Step side bed wear strips
 

Dreading that, but I am going to see if I can find a square punch. Thanks Cody.

Re: Step side bed wear strips
 

Maybe some button head bolts without the square shoulder would work. But at least with the square holes it would be easier to work with next time