spread bed - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Zeke · 02-19-2007, 04:46 PM

How do you bring the top of the bed rails in so the tailgate will close? I thought about using a come-along connected to a tree and bend it in so it springs back to the correct spot.
Anyone have other ideas?

texascowboy593 · 02-19-2007, 04:49 PM

I have the same problem as well. I thought of doing the same thing but its not high on the priority list. Intrested to see the responses... It does shut and lock on one side...If I slam it, both sides lock...

AH619 · 02-19-2007, 05:37 PM

My Bed Was Sprung Apart And To One Side. I Ground The Welds At The Bottom Corners Where The Bed Sides Meets The Floor.then Loosened The Bolts That Hold Both Peices Togather. Then Use One Ratchet Strap From Stake Pocket To Stake Pocket,pull The Bedsides Togather To The Correct Distance.then Use A Large Square To Check That They Are Not Leaning One Way Or The Other.when You Have It Right Both Sides Will Be Square.now For The Trick.after You Tighten Everything And Reweld At The Bottom The Sides Are Going To Spring Out About 1/4 Inch. So I Pulled Mine Togather An Extra 1/4.when I Loosened My Ratchet Strap Everything Was Square. If Your Sides Are Leaning Use A 2nd Ratchet Strap From Top Of Leaning Out Side To Bottom Of Leaning In Side And Pull Till Its Square. Sorry This Is So Long But I Hope It Helps

Longhorn Man · 02-19-2007, 08:31 PM

I did the come-a-long trick, and it took a few tries, but it solved the problem. It was never perfect, but it was a junk bed to begin with.

Aarons72s · 02-20-2007, 02:38 AM

I have used the ratchet strap method, worked good for me. Just be sure to use a large one and not the small one's. It takes a few pulls but works pretty well.

**special-K** · 02-20-2007, 11:57 AM

The only way to absolutely control the amount you move a given side would be to not pull one side against the other.Not saying it can`t work.But,you need to immitate what "rack" in a body shop does.A come-along to a tree or other stationary object is good.But,could pull the whole truck to the tree.So,you would anchor the truck in the opposite direction at a point on the frame or axle to keep it rigid and all force focused on the bedside.

Zeke · 03-05-2007, 05:54 PM

come-a-long worked great. it was only spread out 1/2" each side. thanks

02-19-2007, 04:46 PM	#1
Zeke Active Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: L.A. Lower Alabama Posts: 453	spread bed How do you bring the top of the bed rails in so the tailgate will close? I thought about using a come-along connected to a tree and bend it in so it springs back to the correct spot. Anyone have other ideas? __________________ 1969 C10 350 3spd 1995 GMC 3500 XC 350 dually When Thomas Edison worked late into the night on the electric light, he had to do it by gas lamp or candle. I'm sure it made the work seem that much more urgent. George Carlin

02-19-2007, 04:49 PM	#2
texascowboy593 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Southeast Tx Posts: 1,302	Re: spread bed I have the same problem as well. I thought of doing the same thing but its not high on the priority list. Intrested to see the responses... It does shut and lock on one side...If I slam it, both sides lock... __________________ "The rays of light thru the Shiner Bock bottle make me wanna turn the key and put down the throttle...and get lost down 35" - Jason Boland www.YouTube.com/user/593Films - Watch My Videos! 1977 Silverado K10 2014 Dodge Durango (Wife-mobile) 2008 Dodge Ram Lone Star Edition (Daily driver) Last edited by texascowboy593; 02-19-2007 at 04:50 PM.

02-19-2007, 05:37 PM	#3
AH619 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: HARRISON AR. Posts: 309	Re: spread bed My Bed Was Sprung Apart And To One Side. I Ground The Welds At The Bottom Corners Where The Bed Sides Meets The Floor.then Loosened The Bolts That Hold Both Peices Togather. Then Use One Ratchet Strap From Stake Pocket To Stake Pocket,pull The Bedsides Togather To The Correct Distance.then Use A Large Square To Check That They Are Not Leaning One Way Or The Other.when You Have It Right Both Sides Will Be Square.now For The Trick.after You Tighten Everything And Reweld At The Bottom The Sides Are Going To Spring Out About 1/4 Inch. So I Pulled Mine Togather An Extra 1/4.when I Loosened My Ratchet Strap Everything Was Square. If Your Sides Are Leaning Use A 2nd Ratchet Strap From Top Of Leaning Out Side To Bottom Of Leaning In Side And Pull Till Its Square. Sorry This Is So Long But I Hope It Helps __________________ 72 2wd lwb cheyenne super youngest son.green/white 72 2wd lwb cheyenne super oldest son.green/white 71 4wd 3/4 cheyenne super frame off manderin copper / white 4 inch lift. FINALLY DONE / SOLD 72 4WD SWB CHEYENNE BLUE/WHITE 388 AUTO REMEMBER THE COPS NEVER THINK ITS AS FUNNY AS YOU DO. NORWOOD SURVIVOR COPPERTONE BUILD THREAD/ http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=259856

02-19-2007, 08:31 PM	#4
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: spread bed I did the come-a-long trick, and it took a few tries, but it solved the problem. It was never perfect, but it was a junk bed to begin with.

02-20-2007, 02:38 AM	#5
Aarons72s Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: oklahoma Posts: 10,670	Re: spread bed I have used the ratchet strap method, worked good for me. Just be sure to use a large one and not the small one's. It takes a few pulls but works pretty well.

02-20-2007, 11:57 AM	#6
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,861	Re: spread bed The only way to absolutely control the amount you move a given side would be to not pull one side against the other.Not saying it can`t work.But,you need to immitate what "rack" in a body shop does.A come-along to a tree or other stationary object is good.But,could pull the whole truck to the tree.So,you would anchor the truck in the opposite direction at a point on the frame or axle to keep it rigid and all force focused on the bedside. __________________ "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 ~

03-05-2007, 05:54 PM	#7
Zeke Active Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: L.A. Lower Alabama Posts: 453	Re: spread bed come-a-long worked great. it was only spread out 1/2" each side. thanks __________________ 1969 C10 350 3spd 1995 GMC 3500 XC 350 dually When Thomas Edison worked late into the night on the electric light, he had to do it by gas lamp or candle. I'm sure it made the work seem that much more urgent. George Carlin



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