Can a bed side be straightened? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**1971Stepside** · 06-12-2003, 11:23 AM

I have two left side stepside bed sides (say that three times fast) anyway, if you look at them they have a concave curve to each of them. I can push the bed side back in with my knee, but it pops right back to the "bent" position.

Is there anyway to shrink the bedside metal to make it flat again? Otherwise, both of these sides are very usable so I hate to chuck out $400 for a new one.

**1971Stepside** · 06-12-2003, 03:48 PM

ttt

bigvinnie · 06-12-2003, 07:27 PM

you can take the "oil can" effect out of the bedside using several heat shrinking methods...

oldest method is using a torch and a wet rag to quench the heat, working inward in a circular pattern around the area to be shrunk.

Newer, easier method is to use a shrink tip on a stud welding gun in the same manner, quenching with a wet rag...

Friction disk is also a newer method of using heat to shrink, if you've ever been around one when it's being used you'll never forget it cuz it's LOUD...

06-12-2003, 11:23 AM	#1
1971Stepside Almost Satisfied Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 2,932	Can a bed side be straightened? I have two left side stepside bed sides (say that three times fast) anyway, if you look at them they have a concave curve to each of them. I can push the bed side back in with my knee, but it pops right back to the "bent" position. Is there anyway to shrink the bedside metal to make it flat again? Otherwise, both of these sides are very usable so I hate to chuck out $400 for a new one. __________________ 1971 C10 Stepside. LSx 6.0 with BTR Stage IV, Speed Engineering Headers, 4L80e transmission w/3200 Circle-D Stall. 3.73. Posi. Purchased this truck when I was 17. I started the rebuild (or take apart) in 1993. I have drug it around all over the country in pieces. Finally back on the road in 2021. "I can't complain, but sometimes I still do. Life's been good to me so far."

06-12-2003, 03:48 PM	#2
1971Stepside Almost Satisfied Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 2,932	ttt __________________ 1971 C10 Stepside. LSx 6.0 with BTR Stage IV, Speed Engineering Headers, 4L80e transmission w/3200 Circle-D Stall. 3.73. Posi. Purchased this truck when I was 17. I started the rebuild (or take apart) in 1993. I have drug it around all over the country in pieces. Finally back on the road in 2021. "I can't complain, but sometimes I still do. Life's been good to me so far."

06-12-2003, 07:27 PM	#3
bigvinnie Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: escondido, ca 92026 Posts: 1,222	you can take the "oil can" effect out of the bedside using several heat shrinking methods... oldest method is using a torch and a wet rag to quench the heat, working inward in a circular pattern around the area to be shrunk. Newer, easier method is to use a shrink tip on a stud welding gun in the same manner, quenching with a wet rag... Friction disk is also a newer method of using heat to shrink, if you've ever been around one when it's being used you'll never forget it cuz it's LOUD... __________________ '72 short step, 350, 700R4, tilt, ps, pdb, a/c, lowered coils, etc., other work in progress... San Diego, CA 72 Stepside Project



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.