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#1 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Dyer, Indiana
Posts: 395
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Deal or dud?
So i put some money down on an 8' fleetside bed. It is in good shape, has no rust, floor is great, sides need a little work, and comes with a tailgate that is better than the 2 i currently have. it is hard to tell from my camera phone pics but is this a good start to a nice bed? I am not looking for a show quality bed but this certainly seems to be a good start. I will be getting rid of my bed in my avatar if i take it in a separate post.
If all i need are the sides is it easier to swap sides or just un bolt the whole bed? I would think the whole bed is easier?
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1969 Chevy K20 Longbed Last edited by RPBurris; 01-21-2011 at 04:39 PM. |
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#2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: stoddard nh
Posts: 693
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Re: Deal or dud?
id do whole bed, so while your at it u can clean the frame. just my thoughts
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1972 gmc c25 292/sm465 dana 60 w/5.13s 1973 vw super beetle 1600cc/4spd(baja bug) 1974 chevy c60 351v6/np-540+2 speed eaton rear 2005 chevy cobalt 2.2l |
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#3 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Brookings, SD
Posts: 10,497
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Re: Deal or dud?
Whole bed is easier. The sides do have welds on them, so it's not quite as easy as just unbolting a side and bolting it on the new bed.
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Some people are like slinkies, they aren't good for anything, but you can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs. |
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#4 |
Petroleum User
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: San Diego, California
Posts: 928
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Re: Deal or dud?
Does the floor just unbolt? Are the sides welded to the cross sills?
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![]() 1971 GMC Sierra Grande 2WD 1/2 ton, 350/400 auto 2008 Chevy Silverado 2WD 1/2 ton LT1 5.3L auto |
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#5 |
Special Order
![]() ![]() Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Mt Airy, MD
Posts: 85,859
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Re: Deal or dud?
The rear posts are welded to the floor at the rear sill. Swapping beds is the easiest.
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"BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~ |
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#6 |
Just like to part out trucks!!
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Meriden, Ks-North of Topeka 10 miles
Posts: 27,396
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Re: Deal or dud?
as said above WAY EASIER to swap out beds, when you start unbolting bedsides alot of the bolts are rusted and don't come out very easy
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67 Chev swb stepside 4x4 283 4 speed SOLD 72 blazer 4x4 4 speed Cheyenne 72 GMC swb 4x4 fleet 4 speed, original paint 1958 Cameo (one of 1405 built, it was my dads) 2020 chevy Apex 4x4 crew cab 1969 Z28 with the 302 1980 chevy swb 4x4 1964 chevell Malibu SS 1976 K20, sold new originally out of my dads chevy dealership Members that I've met, over 200 probably closer to 300 in the 12 years I've been on this site, everyone I met "It was a pleasure" |
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#7 |
Grandpa in the rustmobile...
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Spokane WA/Viola TN
Posts: 11,422
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Re: Deal or dud?
easier to swap beds but if you have time/money id soda blast epoxy primer the floor/sides etc then put stainless bolts or something back in..
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John Goose-1968 C10 355,9.32-1CR, Vortec Heads ,262 voodoo, 3.73:1 3OTT (HS ride/beater/farm truck) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=317684 Grams 53-1953 Chevrolet Belair http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post4327784 1969 Chevy C10 Shortbed 4.5/6?" Frame off resto http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=548136 1999 Toyota Tacoma 4x4 |
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#8 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: New Madison, Ohio
Posts: 21,365
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Re: Deal or dud?
Ok now you have me wondering...how much $$$ can I ask. That is a nice looking bed and I agree with the others a replacement bed is the way to go. JMHO.
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A husband can be right...or...A husband can be happy. ![]() 67-72 Chevy and GMC Trucks...The Classic Truck for the Classic Folk. ![]() 1970 CST Two tone green, 402BB, 400 Automatic, Tach, Buckets, AC, AM-FM, Tilt, GM CB, GM 8 Tract, LWB, etc ![]() ![]() JOHN 17:3...The better side of "LIFE" Remember: Everyday is a good day...Some are just gooder! |
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#9 |
GobbleStalker Calls
![]() Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Port Hope, Ontario
Posts: 653
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Re: Deal or dud?
Okay I am getting ready to replace my bed sides where are the welds I need to look out for?
Thanks Kev
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72 Chev Longbox Highlander edition. Med Olive/White/ Med Olive 350 4bbl with 350Turbo trans. Truck currently under construction. Project Cappaccino. Stay Tuned! 1967 Chevy C10, 327, 4.11 posi 3 spd. The Driver Truck! SOLD! 09 GMC Sierra SLT All Terrain pkg. 2014 Jeep Wrangler Sahara unlimited. ( The wifes ride ) |
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#10 |
Member #1049
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Troy Montana
Posts: 3,940
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Re: Deal or dud?
I agree with everyone that swapping beds is easier.. I have dissasembled way too many.. (I do that to send them to the blaster/powdercoaters).
If you decided to swap sides.. there are usually 3 small welds per side.. all at the rear. one from the rear stake pocket to floor..( I use a sawzall there) and two down below that just inside the the taillight, (An angle die grinder works well here) The trick I found is to turn the bed upside down and put it on saw horses so the bedsides are just off the ground. remove all the wiring.. There are 4 bolts per side that bolt the rear bedside/stake pocket to the rear bed cross sill, (two bolts and nuts and two bolts with welded nuts) those should come out fairly easy.. Then take an open end wrench and push it on each nut in several directions to clean off any crud/undercoating.. Then remove all the bolts on the fenderwell to bed sides (these should also come out fairly easy). Remove all the bolts in the front panel.. the top 4 may be phillip head screws.. DO not try to remove those with a big screw driver, get a proper size 1/4" drive phillips bit and a ratchet.. do not try to just loosen and remove.. tighten them up a bit first and work them back and forth, they should come out reluctantly ( It will save alot of cussing). Now the fun part begins.. Grab a 1/2 breaker bar, a 4 inch extension And a 6 point 1/2" socket (a 6 point is important!!) .. go around and tighten up the nuts and snap off the carriage bolts. DO NOT TRY TO LOOSEN AND TAKE THE NUTS OFF.. I guarantee they will spin and you will just get pi$$ed off. Most will break.. BUT some WILL strip and spin.. (the last bed I dissasembled all but 5 broke off) those I usually just take a cutting torch and wash the heads off.. Or center punch the heads and use a sharp 3/8" drill and drill it off... Be sure to keep all the thick flat washers as they are unique.. then head down to your local nut and bolt supplier and purchase approx 50 new 5/16" X 1" carriage bolts, nuts and lock washers.. It should take approx 3-4 hours depending on the bolt spin to break ratio.. |
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#11 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Southern Oregon
Posts: 1,352
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Re: Deal or dud?
Great write up Livrat! This dserves a spot in the FAQ section.
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#12 | |
Petroleum User
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: San Diego, California
Posts: 928
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Re: Deal or dud?
Quote:
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#13 | ||
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Center City, MN, USA
Posts: 3,254
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Re: Deal or dud?
Quote:
I asked this question a month or two ago - what size and approximately how many carriage bolts do I need to re-assemble a bed I purchased already disassembled. I didn't get my answer and frankly some people were rude about it. A bag of 50 5/16"x1" carriage bolts from the local hardware store is a heck of a lot cheaper than what the aftermarket guys want for a "bolt kit". One follow-up question - I have a metal floor. Do the 5/16"x1" bolts work on both the metal and wood floors? Thanks again. Quote:
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#14 | |
Member #1049
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Troy Montana
Posts: 3,940
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Re: Deal or dud?
Guys.. you are welcome for the write up.. I dissasembled 3 beds last week so it was all fresh in my feeble brain..
Quote:
Last edited by Livrat; 01-11-2011 at 11:11 AM. |
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#15 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Dyer, Indiana
Posts: 395
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Re: Deal or dud?
Well i am definitely going to swap the whole bed out.
Anyone have an opinion on the condition of the bed? From everything i have seen both on the boards, ebay, CL, and everywhere else i am getting a good deal on the bed. Plus it is relatively close to me. Like i said it has no rust and other than a few minor dents it is in great shape.
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1969 Chevy K20 Longbed |
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#16 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: macon, ga
Posts: 102
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Re: Deal or dud?
Livrat
I feel like an idiot after reading your post on the carriage bolts. I did a bed a while ago. A few of them snapped while loosening but the majority of them spun. BTW I was severely pi$$ed off after grinding the heads/nuts off ![]() Thanks for the tip |
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#17 | ||
Member #1049
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Troy Montana
Posts: 3,940
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Re: Deal or dud?
Quote:
From the pictures it looks to be in decent shape and if its nicer than your current one.. by all means swap it out Quote:
I have tried an impact wrench.. I have found it spins the nuts too fast .. breaks a few and strips the rest.. So you still end up drilling or cutting them off.. I prefer to stay with a breaker bar.. |
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