Off With His Bed - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**Palf70Step** · 08-06-2006, 07:27 PM

That was my Sunday afternoon project today. I made a rack system to help steady and keep the bed level. It was going to be prettier, but I forgot to buy some things so I made do.

I cut two old bed rails(angle iron or??) to 70" That gave me just enough room to slide completely and securely under the bed lip and not have a chance at sliding out.

I had planned on setting it up so the two cross pieces would be just shy of touching the front and rear stake pockets, thus it would not slip front to back (that would be 69" for a short fleet) However I didn't have anything that long, so I attached the bedrails (with lag screws from the top) to the double 2x4 I used to lift the cab with (58"). I took some old camp shell padded tap and wrapped the ends so I wouldn't mar up the bed.

Next to try it out.

I used an old tow chain wrapped around the board. I used some horse shoe fencing nails to keep the shain from sliding.

I centered the rack in the bed. I had to jack up the rear of the truck a few inches so the cherry picker would slide in under the tires. I centered my lifting point in the bed since I couldn't make the lift as long as I wanted. I hoisted the rack up and aligned it with some pencil marks I made so it would be equal distance front to rear.

Then jack and roll away. My once cab stand is now a bed stand.

The last picture is a closer look at how it looks snug against the rails.

The bed rails flexed some under the weight, but I have no worries that this would easily handle a long bed as easily as the short bed.

I did this with the tailgate on, but I am pretty sure it will work with the talgate off and strill not cause the bed to twist.

Tynee · 08-06-2006, 07:31 PM

Very nice. Its amazing how far a little ingenuity will get you.

**Don Brace** · 08-06-2006, 07:33 PM

Bill
What a good idea. I like using the stuff on hand.

chevroletman19712001 · 08-06-2006, 08:01 PM

must be nice. me and my dad took the bed off my 79 longbed by hand the other day. its heavier than it looks lol.

krue · 08-06-2006, 09:50 PM

Good job with the rig Bill.

**Daubs** · 08-06-2006, 11:22 PM

Brilliant!

67ChevyRedneck · 08-06-2006, 11:52 PM

Didn't you just put that cab back on

Lookin good Bill! Body work goes by quickly

LOW DOUGH · 03-29-2007, 12:01 PM

Looks Good... Great idea.

08-06-2006, 07:27 PM	#1
Palf70Step State of Confusion! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gulfport, MS USA Posts: 47,083	Off With His Bed That was my Sunday afternoon project today. I made a rack system to help steady and keep the bed level. It was going to be prettier, but I forgot to buy some things so I made do. I cut two old bed rails(angle iron or??) to 70" That gave me just enough room to slide completely and securely under the bed lip and not have a chance at sliding out. I had planned on setting it up so the two cross pieces would be just shy of touching the front and rear stake pockets, thus it would not slip front to back (that would be 69" for a short fleet) However I didn't have anything that long, so I attached the bedrails (with lag screws from the top) to the double 2x4 I used to lift the cab with (58"). I took some old camp shell padded tap and wrapped the ends so I wouldn't mar up the bed. Next to try it out. I used an old tow chain wrapped around the board. I used some horse shoe fencing nails to keep the shain from sliding. I centered the rack in the bed. I had to jack up the rear of the truck a few inches so the cherry picker would slide in under the tires. I centered my lifting point in the bed since I couldn't make the lift as long as I wanted. I hoisted the rack up and aligned it with some pencil marks I made so it would be equal distance front to rear. Then jack and roll away. My once cab stand is now a bed stand. The last picture is a closer look at how it looks snug against the rails. The bed rails flexed some under the weight, but I have no worries that this would easily handle a long bed as easily as the short bed. I did this with the tailgate on, but I am pretty sure it will work with the talgate off and strill not cause the bed to twist. Attached Images __________________ Bill 1970 Chevy Custom/10 LWB Fleetside 2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab - DD Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Bill's Gallery Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God! Last edited by Palf70Step; 08-06-2006 at 07:29 PM.

08-06-2006, 07:31 PM	#2
Tynee I miss this truck. Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Lexington, KY U.S.A. Posts: 2,863	Re: Off With His Bed Very nice. Its amazing how far a little ingenuity will get you. __________________ '07 GMC Acadia SLT. Sweet ride. '08 Crew Cab Z-71 short bed. Really like this truck A LOT.

08-06-2006, 07:33 PM	#3
Don Brace Active Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Clarks Grove MN Posts: 487	Re: Off With His Bed Bill What a good idea. I like using the stuff on hand. __________________ Don Brace 55 Nomad 56 Nomad 58 Impalla Coupe 58 Bel-Aire 4D HT 61 Impala CVRT 409 4 SP 2- 71 Longhorns Always looking for old toy trains, Juke boxes Pin ball and game machines.

08-06-2006, 08:01 PM	#4
chevroletman19712001 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: SC Posts: 47	Re: Off With His Bed must be nice. me and my dad took the bed off my 79 longbed by hand the other day. its heavier than it looks lol. __________________ 71 chevy longhorn 1 ton 79 chevy straight 6 79 burb 454 91 silverado 350 TBI and a few others that my brand loyalty wont permit me to post. Eureka Boys!!!!

08-06-2006, 09:50 PM	#5
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,450	Re: Off With His Bed Good job with the rig Bill. __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

08-06-2006, 11:22 PM	#6
Daubs Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Eastern Nebraska Posts: 611	Re: Off With His Bed Brilliant! __________________ '72 Chevy K-20 Crate 350, SM465, 4.10's

08-06-2006, 11:52 PM	#7
67ChevyRedneck Hittin E-Z Street on Mud Tires Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 23,090	Re: Off With His Bed Didn't you just put that cab back on Lookin good Bill! Body work goes by quickly __________________ Jesse James 1967 C10 SWB Stepside: 350/700R4/3.73 1965 Ford Mustang: 289/T5-5spd/3.25 Trac-Loc 1968 Pontiac Firebird: Project Fire Chicken! 2015 Silverado Double Cab 5.3L Z71 2001 Jeep Wrangler Sport 4.0L 5spd 2020 Chevrolet Equinox Premium 2.0L Turbo 2011 Mustang V6 ~ Wife's ride American Born, Country by the Grace of God 1967 CST Shop Truck Rebuild! My 1967 C-10 Build Thread My Vintage Air A/C Install Project "On a Dime" Trying my hand at Home Renovation! 1965 Mustang Modifications!

03-29-2007, 12:01 PM	#8
LOW DOUGH I'M TRUCK CRAZY! Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Sachse, TEXAS Posts: 1,737	Re: Off With His Bed Looks Good... Great idea.

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