stepside bed front panel question

[ofnaman]

Im in the process of building a '80 stepside. I personally am not into stepsides (it's my friends truck), so I never really paid too much attention to the beds themselfs. The thing I've noticed is the front panel of the bed is taller than the bed sides by maybe a 1/2 inch. I've seen a few around town that the front panel is level with the bed sides, and I've been seeing a few on here like his with the panel a little higher like his. With that being said, the front panel on his truck is the only body panel with any damage to it, so it will be replaced. I was just wanting to know if the panel should be level or slightly elevated. Thank you

[jpnh]

This Panel? Mines an 84.-jeff

[Greenlee]

The extra 1/2 inch is for the wood floor.

[ofnaman]

Originally Posted by Greenlee

The extra 1/2 inch is for the wood floor.

That makes sense. Thank you

[ofnaman]

Originally Posted by jpnh

This Panel? Mines an 84.-jeff

Yes that panel.

[Tuff 1986]

I am also replacing my front bed panel on my stepside.. And my question is do I have to remove my bed or can I make the change with the bed on..

[1981Stepside]

Originally Posted by Tuff 1986

I am also replacing my front bed panel on my stepside.. And my question is do I have to remove my bed or can I make the change with the bed on..

Removing the bed will make the job a lot easier in the long run with fewer busted knuckles and less scratched paint. The bottom lip of the front panel sits under the wood floor. This creates an issue if your side panels are original as the bolts on the corner angle strips are welded in. That means that the front panel needs to be dropped off the side bolts once all the center floor bolts are removed.

[Tuff 1986]

Originally Posted by 1981Stepside

Removing the bed will make the job a lot easier in the long run with fewer busted knuckles and less scratched paint. The bottom lip of the front panel sits under the wood floor. This creates an issue if your side panels are original as the bolts on the corner angle strips are welded in. That means that the front panel needs to be dropped off the side bolts once all the center floor bolts are removed.

Thanks for the help... I will be removing the bed for easier access..