Angle strips on 65 chevy c-10

[Twodogsmarine]

Hey guys. Removed my bed on the weekend to replace and the angle strips seem to be attached somehow. Cant see any obvious welds and no attatchment from the back, any ideas?

[1963c-10]

About 30 spot welds per angle strip per side. Were welded from the outside of the bed panel prior to fender install

[Twodogsmarine]

Crap. Whats the best way to remove? I have the new chrome strips to go in and need to remove these?

[forestb]

did you buy the angle strip covers or the actual strips. I know that Mar-k sells chrome covers.

[Twodogsmarine]

Good question, bought them from Ecklers so i will check tonight!

[Sharps40]

I just tooka good stanley screwdriver and a 16 oz smasher wacker and went down the angle strip and banged out each spot weld. After removal, opened the holes to 1/4" with a drill, drilled matching holes in the new angle strips and bolted em on with some fender washers on the inside of the fender. Used a stainless allen head screw where they show in front of the fender.

[Lugnutz65]

Originally Posted by Twodogsmarine

Hey guys. Removed my bed on the weekend to replace and the angle strips seem to be attached somehow. Cant see any obvious welds and no attatchment from the back, any ideas?

I recommend a spot weld cutter sold by Harbor Freight. More expensive and longer lasting spot weld cutters are available but I think mine works fine. Each bit should cut between 50 and 60 spot welds if you are careful and use both sides.

Scratch the rust a bit until you see where the spot weld is.



Pry a putty knife under the strip near the spot weld to apply pressure from beneath the angle strip. Center the bit tip and slowly cut a circle around the weld.



Once you go through the upper layer, the pressure from the putty knife will cause the angle strip to "pop" up, telling you to stop drilling.



You will be left with a small dot of metal that you will grind off.

[62 Barnfind]

Originally Posted by Lugnutz65

I recommend a spot weld cutter sold by Harbor Freight. More expensive and longer lasting spot weld cutters are available but I think mine works fine. Each bit should cut between 50 and 60 spot welds if you are careful and use both sides.

Scratch the rust a bit until you see where the spot weld is.



Pry a putty knife under the strip near the spot weld to apply pressure from beneath the angle strip. Center the bit tip and slowly cut a circle around the weld.



Once you go through the upper layer, the pressure from the putty knife will cause the angle strip to "pop" up, telling you to stop drilling.



You will be left with a small dot of metal that you will grind off.

I agree with Lugnutz 65. I think I paid under $5 for mine at Harbor Freight. It is worth it.

[Twodogsmarine]

You guys rock, looks like a bunch more work than i anticipated but then again what isnt! Final question, if you are bolting the new angle strips does it leave any bolts showing on the exterior of the bedsides where the fender isnt? Taking in mind mine is the shortbed stepside.

[Lugnutz65]

Originally Posted by Twodogsmarine

You guys rock, looks like a bunch more work than i anticipated but then again what isnt! Final question, if you are bolting the new angle strips does it leave any bolts showing on the exterior of the bedsides where the fender isnt? Taking in mind mine is the shortbed stepside.

Yes, bolting them on will leave something on the other side. That's why they are spot welded. I have not put mine on but spot welding seems like the only option unless you don't mind bolts or rivets showing.
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[62 Barnfind]

Originally Posted by Twodogsmarine

You guys rock, looks like a bunch more work than i anticipated but then again what isnt! Final question, if you are bolting the new angle strips does it leave any bolts showing on the exterior of the bedsides where the fender isnt? Taking in mind mine is the shortbed stepside.

Yes they will show. I welded them on. Thats why the spot weld cutter helps. It makes the perfect spot weld hole.

[Lugnutz65]

Originally Posted by 62 Barnfind

Yes they will show. I welded them on. Thats why the spot weld cutter helps. It makes the perfect spot weld hole.

62 Barnfind,
So it sounds like you cut all the way through the bedside with the spot weld cutter, right? Then you welded the strip and filled the hole at the same time. That will work!

I kept thinking I'd have to use a spot welder (like the ones they sell at HF). I'm a novice welder, but I think I can handle this with my MIG.

[Twodogsmarine]

Im assuming that new bed sides dont come with angle strips attached?

[Lugnutz65]

Originally Posted by Twodogsmarine

Im assuming that new bed sides dont come with angle strips attached?

Right, no angle strips on the new bed sides.

[Twodogsmarine]

62 did you get the steel angle strips or the chrome?

[62 Barnfind]

Originally Posted by Twodogsmarine

62 did you get the steel angle strips or the chrome?

I bought steel to be painted. I thought about the chrome ones but I didn't know how to attach them. I didn't want to use screws and I wanted to look original. Once you weld them in you still have to use some filler to keep smooth it out. It can still warp easy so take your time. Here is before and after.

[Lugnutz65]

62 Barnfind,
Nice job on the restoration! I went through your build thread. How satisfied are you with the Hotrod Flatz Speed Blue as far as spaying and flatness? I like the color and was thinking of their powder blue. I'm a long way from painting.

Nice job on the bed strips.

[62 Barnfind]

Thanks for the kind words, I have been working on this think for 1 year now. I like the final look when sprayed right. It is easy to run so yo have to spray light. It's easy to streak also if your gun is not set right. If I were doing it again I still would use it and I also would use the powder blue and use the one of the gold metallics for the inside. If you decide to do it a quart will work fine for that. I really like the satin look. I have to re do the front of the truck. I have streaks in it. I say do it. Just order the gallon kit.

[Twodogsmarine]

62 barnfind, looks absolutely stunning. Does anybody know if you can spot weld or backfill chrome plated strips? And if so will the heat spots polish out?

[Lugnutz65]

Originally Posted by Twodogsmarine

62 barnfind, looks absolutely stunning. Does anybody know if you can spot weld or backfill chrome plated strips? And if so will the heat spots polish out?

You might ask that question in the Paint and bodywork section for an answer. I'd like to know too.

[62 Barnfind]

Originally Posted by Twodogsmarine

62 barnfind, looks absolutely stunning. Does anybody know if you can spot weld or backfill chrome plated strips? And if so will the heat spots polish out?

Thanks for the complement! I don't know that answer. I would think you could polish it out. I guess you could try it on something else first and see.

[Twodogsmarine]

Ok, so decided to keep the angle strips in place until i do the complete tear down and replace the bed sides. I have got the gas tank installed, cnotch done and bed almost installed. Was going to upload some pics but wont let me for some reason.

[Twodogsmarine]

http://s1311.beta.photobucket.com/us...tml?sort=3&o=6

[Twodogsmarine]

http://s1311.beta.photobucket.com/user/Twodogsmarine/media/Chevy%20Truck/bracketfab_zps55cc34da.jpg.html?sort=3&o=4[/IMG]

[62 Barnfind]

Click on the image code on the right and it will copy. Then you paste the link and the picture will show.