55.2-59 Stake pocket welded to bed rail - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Dave Garon · 05-09-2019, 09:53 AM

I' building a 56 chevy step side short box and the previous owner welded the top of the stake pockets to the round section of the bed rail. They even used a punch on the inside of the pocket to hammer out the pocket face closer to the rail. It's pretty ugly, but I've looked at a few other tri-5's and they're the same way. Anyone came across this? How'd you address it? Cutting it free and cleaning up the mess on 4 pockets would be a bunch of work, so would replacing the pockets. I could grind some of the old weld out and add enough to blend it all in? Any other ideas would be appreciated.
Tx, Dave

**HO455** · 05-09-2019, 01:50 PM

You may want to repost this in the 47-59 section of have a moderator move it.
Good luck!

**mongocanfly** · 05-09-2019, 02:50 PM

Pics!!...

Dave Garon · 05-09-2019, 03:12 PM

I'll attach some pics tonight. Imagine the outside face of the stake pocket welded to the underside of the round rolled over bed rail. I attached a quick drawing for now. Sorry it appears 90 degrees off, but should explain what they've done.

bobinbc · 05-09-2019, 08:36 PM

My 57 is like that but it looks like they were made that way from the factory, not sure on the 56. The truck was built in Canada if that makes any difference.

GreasyLikeaBurger · 05-09-2019, 10:44 PM

im actually getting ready to install a set on my old bedsides on my '52. I figure it will be good practice before i try it on my better bedsides.

svr · 05-10-2019, 12:18 AM

Mine are welded like that on my ‘57, looks original. My top tube and flat area needed to be adjusted so it set flat. I cut the ones that needed adjustment loose, leveled the tops side to side and rewelded them where they were happy.

**mr48chev** · 05-10-2019, 01:29 AM

Get a chain saw file and dress the welds up. Probably for a bigger saw. About 3 bucks at the hardware if you aren't a guy who has a chain saw but those files are great for things line that or any smaller hole you need to dress up a bit.

Katrina/10 · 05-10-2019, 08:04 AM

If you cut the weld completely, the rolled edge will be quite flimsy.

Dave Garon · 05-10-2019, 08:39 AM

Thanks for the feedback guys. I had a look at a couple other trucks last night. Both were finished 60's stepsides and had the weld. Pretty sure it's factory, mine was just redone VERY badly. I'll clean it it with a die grinder, run another pass if needed.
We've mounted the 56 on a shortened 2006 chevy 4x4 chassis. Still lots to do, but slowly making progress.

05-09-2019, 09:53 AM	#1
Dave Garon Registered User Join Date: May 2017 Location: Drayton Valley Alberta Posts: 36	Stake pocket welded to bed rail I' building a 56 chevy step side short box and the previous owner welded the top of the stake pockets to the round section of the bed rail. They even used a punch on the inside of the pocket to hammer out the pocket face closer to the rail. It's pretty ugly, but I've looked at a few other tri-5's and they're the same way. Anyone came across this? How'd you address it? Cutting it free and cleaning up the mess on 4 pockets would be a bunch of work, so would replacing the pockets. I could grind some of the old weld out and add enough to blend it all in? Any other ideas would be appreciated. Tx, Dave

05-09-2019, 01:50 PM	#2
HO455 Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Portland Oregon Posts: 11,393	Re: Stake pocket welded to bed rail You may want to repost this in the 47-59 section of have a moderator move it. Good luck! __________________ Thanks to Bob and Jeanie and everyone else at Superior Performance for all their great help. RIP Bob Parks. 1967 Burban (the WMB),1988 S10 Blazer (the Stink10 II),1969 GTO (the Goat), 1970 Javelin, 1952 F2 Ford OHC six 4X4, 29 Model A, 72 Firebird (the DBP Bird). 85 Alfa Romeo If it breaks I didn't want it in the first place The WMB repair thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=698377

05-09-2019, 02:50 PM	#3
mongocanfly Post Whore Join Date: May 2015 Location: Alabama Posts: 14,674	Re: Stake pocket welded to bed rail Pics!!... __________________ Mongo...aka Greg RIP Dad RIP Jesse 1981 C30 LQ9 NV4500..http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=753598 Mongos AD- LS3 TR6060...http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...34#post8522334 Columbus..the 1957 IH 4x4...http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...63#post8082563 2023 Chevy Z71..daily driver

05-09-2019, 03:12 PM	#4
Dave Garon Registered User Join Date: May 2017 Location: Drayton Valley Alberta Posts: 36	Re: Stake pocket welded to bed rail I'll attach some pics tonight. Imagine the outside face of the stake pocket welded to the underside of the round rolled over bed rail. I attached a quick drawing for now. Sorry it appears 90 degrees off, but should explain what they've done. Attached Images

05-09-2019, 08:36 PM	#5
bobinbc Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Vancouver Island, Courtenay B.C. CANADA Posts: 578	Re: Stake pocket welded to bed rail My 57 is like that but it looks like they were made that way from the factory, not sure on the 56. The truck was built in Canada if that makes any difference. Attached Images __________________ 1962 Chevy blue SBFS 1957 Chevy yellow SBSS 1956 GMC red SBSS Nov 2017 ToTM https://www.facebook.com/groups/Cana...geChevyTrucks/

05-09-2019, 10:44 PM	#6
GreasyLikeaBurger Registered User Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Costa Mesa, CA Posts: 190	Re: Stake pocket welded to bed rail im actually getting ready to install a set on my old bedsides on my '52. I figure it will be good practice before i try it on my better bedsides.

05-10-2019, 12:18 AM	#7
svr Registered User Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Othello washington Posts: 400	Re: Stake pocket welded to bed rail Mine are welded like that on my ‘57, looks original. My top tube and flat area needed to be adjusted so it set flat. I cut the ones that needed adjustment loose, leveled the tops side to side and rewelded them where they were happy. __________________ 57 short box, 235, T5, C4 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=739132 Last edited by svr; 05-10-2019 at 12:24 AM.

05-10-2019, 01:29 AM	#8
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,720	Re: Stake pocket welded to bed rail Get a chain saw file and dress the welds up. Probably for a bigger saw. About 3 bucks at the hardware if you aren't a guy who has a chain saw but those files are great for things line that or any smaller hole you need to dress up a bit. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.

05-10-2019, 08:04 AM	#9
Katrina/10 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Ocean Springs, MS Posts: 1,746	Re: Stake pocket welded to bed rail If you cut the weld completely, the rolled edge will be quite flimsy. __________________ Gary 1971 Chevrolet C/10 1951 GMC 100 1977 GMC C15 1955 Chevrolet 3100

05-10-2019, 08:39 AM	#10
Dave Garon Registered User Join Date: May 2017 Location: Drayton Valley Alberta Posts: 36	Re: Stake pocket welded to bed rail Thanks for the feedback guys. I had a look at a couple other trucks last night. Both were finished 60's stepsides and had the weld. Pretty sure it's factory, mine was just redone VERY badly. I'll clean it it with a die grinder, run another pass if needed. We've mounted the 56 on a shortened 2006 chevy 4x4 chassis. Still lots to do, but slowly making progress.



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