Removing Bedsides-Hard or Easy? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

avejoe · 01-08-2005, 01:35 AM

I'm looking at a truck that is available for parting and I am trying to determine how much I want to bite off. The small stuff is easy, but I'm looking at trying to grab the lwb bedsides which are in really good shape with original paint (no bond, eh?).

I know there are some spot welds near the back of the bedsides. Does anybody know how many and how is the access to get a spot weld cutter into them? Basically, how long would it take to free up the sides? I believe all of the other connection points are bolts?

Thanks!

71meangreenc10 · 01-08-2005, 01:43 AM

Its according to what tools you have, I stripted my shortbed fleetside down to nothing, with air tools, I did it by my self, not too difficult if the bed is off the truck, mine only had 1 spot weld in the lower rear of the bed by the corner of the taillight housing. I used a cutoff wheel and it was fairly easy to access. Manual Labor may require assistance.......lots of bolts to remove. Air tools = 15-30 minutes, Manual 30+

rustyold72 · 01-08-2005, 01:47 AM

Well it took me a good 3 hrs (per side), but all the bolts that hold the bedside to the floor were either rounded out, or so rusty they wouldnt turn, so be ready. (vise grips and maybe a battery powered sawzall) There are several (2 per side IIRC) philips head screws #3 size at the front of the bed, so bring a big philips head screwdriver. As for the spotwelds I can't remember how many there were (been awhile since I took the bed apart)

mr402 · 01-08-2005, 01:56 AM

In the few I've done there is only one small weld at the back of the bed. Lots of screws and/or bolts. I've seen both screws and bolts used on the front of the bed. If the bolts are at all rusty you'll definitely need those vise grips.

71meangreenc10 · 01-08-2005, 02:11 AM

My bed was well taken care of, not alot of rust, really blest with that.....Didn't take long

68w/sbc406 · 01-08-2005, 03:37 AM

how are the inner fenders connected to the bed side?

73stepside · 01-08-2005, 04:55 AM

my bed had 3 spot welds in the back. mine took 3 hours per side due to rusty hardware

gonebad2 · 01-08-2005, 02:12 PM

Instead of trying to loosen the smooth top carriage bolts that hold the bedside to the floor, get a breaker bar and tighten them. 99% of them just snap right off. They're only 5/16" bolts. The weld on the back upright post was made with a mig welder at the factory. On my bed, there was a weld between the post and the bed floor and another one at the bottom of the bedside and the rear crosssill.

Robert1970C20rstbukt · 01-08-2005, 02:22 PM

What have you guys used to put the bedsides back on? Original style carriage bolts or regular hex head bolts?

gonebad2 · 01-08-2005, 03:18 PM

Show truck = Polished stainless steel 5/16 x 1" carriage bolts. Non show truck = zinc plated 5/16 x 1" carriage bolts.

mr402 · 01-08-2005, 04:31 PM

Hey 68. They all used captured nuts on the back side. Last time I had a few break loose. Was a ***** to get behind there but it can be done.

vtblazer · 01-08-2005, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gonebad2

Instead of trying to loosen the smooth top carriage bolts that hold the bedside to the floor, get a breaker bar and tighten them. 99% of them just snap right off.

Absolutly the easiest way, bar none. Been there, done that.

68w/sbc406 · 01-09-2005, 04:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr402

Hey 68. They all used captured nuts on the back side. Last time I had a few break loose. Was a ***** to get behind there but it can be done.

thanks Guy

01-08-2005, 01:35 AM	#1
avejoe Custer had a plan too. Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: No. California Posts: 344	Removing Bedsides-Hard or Easy? I'm looking at a truck that is available for parting and I am trying to determine how much I want to bite off. The small stuff is easy, but I'm looking at trying to grab the lwb bedsides which are in really good shape with original paint (no bond, eh?). I know there are some spot welds near the back of the bedsides. Does anybody know how many and how is the access to get a spot weld cutter into them? Basically, how long would it take to free up the sides? I believe all of the other connection points are bolts? Thanks! __________________ 72 K15 GMC (aka Big White) Performance Rockers, Cab Corners, and Floors Fossil Fuel Glutton Neighborhood Nuisance 98 BMW 540i for Speed (Sold ) 05 Subaru Outback for mileage

01-08-2005, 01:43 AM	#2
71meangreenc10 Its a Truck Thing...... Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sierra Vista, Arizona Posts: 3,179	Its according to what tools you have, I stripted my shortbed fleetside down to nothing, with air tools, I did it by my self, not too difficult if the bed is off the truck, mine only had 1 spot weld in the lower rear of the bed by the corner of the taillight housing. I used a cutoff wheel and it was fairly easy to access. Manual Labor may require assistance.......lots of bolts to remove. Air tools = 15-30 minutes, Manual 30+ Last edited by 71meangreenc10; 01-08-2005 at 01:46 AM.

01-08-2005, 03:37 AM	#6
68w/sbc406 Got Light Emitting Diode? Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Newberg, OR Posts: 2,485	how are the inner fenders connected to the bed side? __________________ 1968 1/2 ton 2wd lwb 6 lug disc and bags up front. Next c notch and rear bags '02 Chevy Silverado LT ext cab short bed 2WD 5/7 drop on 22's(the family car) 1993 Cherokee work ride/weekend wheeler

01-08-2005, 04:55 AM	#7
73stepside Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Moore OK 73160 Posts: 974	my bed had 3 spot welds in the back. mine took 3 hours per side due to rusty hardware __________________ 04 GMC Sierra RCSS 70 CST LWB 04 HD Sportster 1200 Custom

01-08-2005, 02:12 PM	#8
gonebad2 Merciless Butcher Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: CC Nevada Posts: 1,447	Instead of trying to loosen the smooth top carriage bolts that hold the bedside to the floor, get a breaker bar and tighten them. 99% of them just snap right off. They're only 5/16" bolts. The weld on the back upright post was made with a mig welder at the factory. On my bed, there was a weld between the post and the bed floor and another one at the bottom of the bedside and the rear crosssill. __________________ Your Bought And Sold....I Got Your Soul!

01-08-2005, 01:47 AM	#3
rustyold72 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Ark City KS Posts: 505	Well it took me a good 3 hrs (per side), but all the bolts that hold the bedside to the floor were either rounded out, or so rusty they wouldnt turn, so be ready. (vise grips and maybe a battery powered sawzall) There are several (2 per side IIRC) philips head screws #3 size at the front of the bed, so bring a big philips head screwdriver. As for the spotwelds I can't remember how many there were (been awhile since I took the bed apart) __________________ 71 Chevy C10 "The Rust Bucket" 72 Chevy C10 apart in the garage 02 WS6 T/A Fast Black and bad@$$ 93 Nissan Pathfinder "Emily" Totaled RIP girl 05 Jeep Grand Cherokee-HEMI powered 87 Iroc Z28 305 TPI auto (crying out for an LS1 swap)

01-08-2005, 01:56 AM	#4
mr402 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Elmira, Oregon Posts: 449	In the few I've done there is only one small weld at the back of the bed. Lots of screws and/or bolts. I've seen both screws and bolts used on the front of the bed. If the bolts are at all rusty you'll definitely need those vise grips.

01-08-2005, 02:11 AM	#5
71meangreenc10 Its a Truck Thing...... Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sierra Vista, Arizona Posts: 3,179	My bed was well taken care of, not alot of rust, really blest with that.....Didn't take long

01-08-2005, 02:22 PM	#9
Robert1970C20rstbukt Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Beeville, Texas Posts: 1,943	What have you guys used to put the bedsides back on? Original style carriage bolts or regular hex head bolts? __________________ RJD 1984 Chevrolet C30 welding truck 454/SM465 1977 GMC C15 pickup 350/TH350 1970 Chevrolet C20 pickup 350/TH400 1970 Chevrolet K20 Suburban 454/TH350 1969 GMC 8500 478M V6/5 spd winch truck

01-08-2005, 03:18 PM	#10
gonebad2 Merciless Butcher Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: CC Nevada Posts: 1,447	Show truck = Polished stainless steel 5/16 x 1" carriage bolts. Non show truck = zinc plated 5/16 x 1" carriage bolts. __________________ Your Bought And Sold....I Got Your Soul!

01-08-2005, 04:31 PM	#11
mr402 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Elmira, Oregon Posts: 449	Hey 68. They all used captured nuts on the back side. Last time I had a few break loose. Was a ***** to get behind there but it can be done.



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