blazer bed floor removal/replacement

[tobiahr]

Got zero responses in paint and body so i'll try here (moderator can move/remove the paint body post if needed)

I have just started the removal of the bed floor on my 81 Blazer and was wondering if anyone had pics of the removal of one of these or advice on the best way to replace? I have some basic idea of how I thought it should be done but have never done it and basically wanted to see if I was even remotely correct in my assumptions.I am removing a good floor from a donor body so I am drilling the spotwelds at the rear of the bed on the frame support and aroung the perimeter under the bed where it attaches to the fenders and unbolting it at the leading edge. I plan on leaving as many of the supports as I can on the floor so i can replace as complete a unit as possible. Anyone have any thoughts on this? Suggestions? Anything helps as this is my first MAJOR body repair.

After googling and looking at about 3 pics found (thats all there was) I think the entire bed floor can be unbolted from the fenders and frame with the exception if 2 welds at the tailgate posts. can anyone confirm this?

[husker33]

I found this a couple of months ago. I should be starting mine in about three weeks or so. Please let me know how it goes for you.

http://coloradok5.com/floorremoval.shtml

[kevinr1970]

Originally Posted by husker33

I found this a couple of months ago. I should be starting mine in about three weeks or so. Please let me know how it goes for you.

http://coloradok5.com/floorremoval.shtml

Was there a follow up to that article to put it back together? Or is it pretty self explanatory?

[tobiahr]

no followup and the email is no longer a working address...I found that a couple of months ago and forgot to bookmark, therefor couldn't find it again...thanks for the link. Has anyone here done this before? I would feel better knowing the reason for lack of followup wasn't because he did it completely wrong.

[stynchrr]

Are you removing the tail pan from the rear when you are doing this? I got to fix my tail pan because my tailgate is loose and I think that the mount on the tail pan is rusted it is hard to see from the under side. Good luck I will be watching this. It may be a while before I get to tear into mine.
Tim

[tobiahr]

there should be four bolts on either side that thread up from the bottom
These pics were stolen from http://coloradok5.com/floorremoval.shtml but i can see all the bolts from underneath the blazer. I am removing the tailpan as a unit along with the floor. I'll only have to cut the welds at the pillars beside the tailgate that way otherwise i would have to drill all the spot welds on the tailpan/floor

[stynchrr]

Mine is rusting from the bottum and if I have the tailgate open and push in it moves a good half inch so I am pretty sure it is rusted pretty bad but not sure what part of the tail pan is rusted. Is the tail pan you are removing in good shape? I sure would like some pics of a good one. Thanks
Tim

[tobiahr]

It is in good shape, i'll try and get some pictures posted tonight. is there any requests for specific views?

[Captkaos]

There is a guy on my forum doing this:
http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/sm...p?topic=8679.0

[stynchrr]

I need to see where the tailgate hinge attaches I am hoping to rebuild the areas that are rusted on mine instead of buying a new one. I really just need a reference to see what I got left of mine so pics of as much as possible would be great.

Thanks
Tim

[tobiahr]

here you go. let me know if you need more or different views

[stynchrr]

Thanks alot. I hate salt. It looks like I got a mess on my hands. Are you taking the floor and tail pan out in one piece? That looks pretty solid why are you replacing? What are your plans for the old parts?

Tim

[tobiahr]

i am going to try and replace the entire floorboard with the braces and tailpan attached. the tailpan on the donor and my driver is in good shape it just looks like it may be less work replacing them as a unit. the floorboard in my daily driver is starting to get the cancer. the previous owner decided to leave it in a field with the top off for about two years. the underside and all the body panels look good on the outside other than normal wear but the interior is rusted. the chalk marks from the plant are still on the framerails.

i'm going to scrap what ever isn't used from the donor body when i'm done

[stynchrr]

Are those pics of the tail pan what you are taking out? Looks like you got the oppisite problem I got you is rusting from top down and mine is rusting from the bottum up. The reason I was asking about the pics is I was wondering if the tail pan you are removing is good if you would cut it in half or even thirds and be interested in shipping if my way. Of course I would pay for shipping and something for your time.

Tim