Bed brace bent? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

TheGreenCoyote · 07-07-2010, 09:59 PM

Hello! Before I put this '87 bed on my '73 3/4 ton, the bed was resting directly on the ground with its weight "correct-side-up" instead of on the sturdier top rails. I think the braces might have bent while it sat for several months. Can anyone tell by looking at this lower photo if they are bent? If they are, what would be the best method to bend both lower sides of the bed down without leaving a crease all along the lower portion of the bed? If the braces are bent what is the best way to bend them back or is it best to just replace them?

Thanks!

ratty 46 · 07-07-2010, 11:07 PM

If it were me ... I'd heat it .... pound it straight .... cut it in two & use a tube sleve over it making it SUPER WILE COYOTE strong. But that's me. I've got tube & a kick ass Lincoln Precision TIG-275 in the garage!!

Or not ...

Ratty 46

TheGreenCoyote · 07-07-2010, 11:22 PM

Thanks ratty 46, but what about pulling out the mild bend all the way down the lower side of the bed itself?

ratty 46 · 07-07-2010, 11:27 PM

Funny thing about SOLID stock vs. tube .... once its bent ... the second time is easier & so forth.

I would first try & cold bend it back. Maybe a little heat right in the middle of the bend. Unless its hit again it'll probably last.

Ratty 46

Sillyoldman · 07-07-2010, 11:48 PM

Hammer, left glove and the backside of a bench vise, your'e in business.

TheGreenCoyote · 07-07-2010, 11:59 PM

Thanks sillyoldman! What do you recommend for pulling the whole lower portion of the bed panel back into shape?

Sillyoldman · 07-08-2010, 12:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheGreenCoyote

Thanks sillyoldman! What do you recommend for pulling the whole lower portion of the bed panel back into shape?

I don't know about Sq bodies but that bend looks intentional to me now. Are you sure it's bent? Maybe compare one side with the other before you beat on them. Those bedsides are pretty flimsy. A couple tugs and the correct bracing should cure the problem.

TheGreenCoyote · 07-08-2010, 12:21 AM

Thanks. The brace bends seem to be close if not identical on both sides which leads me to believe they are from the factory that way, however, I could have sworn I've seen them straight on some other trucks from photos on here. The fact that my truck's frame is bent due to a side and rear accident has made the whole bed tilted lower on this side which makes it even more difficult to tell if there is actually an incorrect curve in the lower portion of the side panel.

Can anyone confirm if there should be bends in these braces?

79gmcc15 · 07-08-2010, 12:57 AM

I kinda remember that mine are that way too.

Keith Seymore · 07-08-2010, 08:08 AM

Mine are straight. Yours look bent to me.

I made a little rack to support my bed while it was removed. It was also handy for transporting it and keeping it at a nice height while doing the body work.

K

TheGreenCoyote · 07-08-2010, 01:42 PM

That is an awesome set-up you have there.
Okay, so now I really think the lower sides of the bed have curled up a bit. Any suggestions on how to correct the panel without creasing the sheet metal?

07-07-2010, 09:59 PM	#1
TheGreenCoyote Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Elgin/Austin, Texas Posts: 176	Bed brace bent? Hello! Before I put this '87 bed on my '73 3/4 ton, the bed was resting directly on the ground with its weight "correct-side-up" instead of on the sturdier top rails. I think the braces might have bent while it sat for several months. Can anyone tell by looking at this lower photo if they are bent? If they are, what would be the best method to bend both lower sides of the bed down without leaving a crease all along the lower portion of the bed? If the braces are bent what is the best way to bend them back or is it best to just replace them? Thanks! Last edited by TheGreenCoyote; 07-07-2010 at 10:52 PM.

07-07-2010, 11:07 PM	#2
ratty 46 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Atlanta, Ga. Posts: 1,104	Re: Bed brace bent? If it were me ... I'd heat it .... pound it straight .... cut it in two & use a tube sleve over it making it SUPER WILE COYOTE strong. But that's me. I've got tube & a kick ass Lincoln Precision TIG-275 in the garage!! Or not ... Ratty 46

07-07-2010, 11:22 PM	#3
TheGreenCoyote Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Elgin/Austin, Texas Posts: 176	Re: Bed brace bent? Thanks ratty 46, but what about pulling out the mild bend all the way down the lower side of the bed itself?

07-07-2010, 11:27 PM	#4
ratty 46 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Atlanta, Ga. Posts: 1,104	Re: Bed brace bent? Funny thing about SOLID stock vs. tube .... once its bent ... the second time is easier & so forth. I would first try & cold bend it back. Maybe a little heat right in the middle of the bend. Unless its hit again it'll probably last. Ratty 46

07-07-2010, 11:48 PM	#5
Sillyoldman #16876 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Auburn WA Posts: 12,266	Re: Bed brace bent? Hammer, left glove and the backside of a bench vise, your'e in business. __________________ Posted via Stationary Device '71 Custom Deluxe C-20 402. '67 Buick Special 455. '49 Plymouth Special Deluxe. *"I love that old car smell"* *Some people are like Slinkies... not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.*

07-07-2010, 11:59 PM	#6
TheGreenCoyote Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Elgin/Austin, Texas Posts: 176	Re: Bed brace bent? Thanks sillyoldman! What do you recommend for pulling the whole lower portion of the bed panel back into shape?

07-08-2010, 12:21 AM	#8
TheGreenCoyote Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Elgin/Austin, Texas Posts: 176	Re: Bed brace bent? Thanks. The brace bends seem to be close if not identical on both sides which leads me to believe they are from the factory that way, however, I could have sworn I've seen them straight on some other trucks from photos on here. The fact that my truck's frame is bent due to a side and rear accident has made the whole bed tilted lower on this side which makes it even more difficult to tell if there is actually an incorrect curve in the lower portion of the side panel. Can anyone confirm if there should be bends in these braces? Last edited by TheGreenCoyote; 07-08-2010 at 12:23 AM.

07-08-2010, 12:57 AM	#9
79gmcc15 Gettin It One Pice At A Time Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: everett, washington Posts: 2,688	Re: Bed brace bent? I kinda remember that mine are that way too. __________________ RIP ELJAY Work In Progress 1979 GMC C1500 Trailering Special. Getting the truck done, one piece at a time. “You can tell a lot about a fellow’s character by his way of eating jellybeans.”Ronald Reagan “I don’t know the key to success but I know the key to failure is trying to please everybody.” Bill Cosby

07-08-2010, 08:08 AM	#10
Keith Seymore Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Motor City Posts: 9,226	Re: Bed brace bent? Mine are straight. Yours look bent to me. I made a little rack to support my bed while it was removed. It was also handy for transporting it and keeping it at a nice height while doing the body work. K __________________ Chevrolet Flint Assembly 1979-1986 GM Full Size Truck Engineering 1986 - 2019 Intro from an Old Assembly Guy: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=342926 My Pontiac story: http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=560524 Chevelle intro: http://www.superchevy.com/features/s...hevy-chevelle/ Last edited by Keith Seymore; 07-08-2010 at 08:17 AM.

07-08-2010, 01:42 PM	#11
TheGreenCoyote Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Elgin/Austin, Texas Posts: 176	Re: Bed brace bent? That is an awesome set-up you have there. Okay, so now I really think the lower sides of the bed have curled up a bit. Any suggestions on how to correct the panel without creasing the sheet metal?

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