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

Phil750 · 08-14-2011, 05:16 PM

I want to replace this panel! I believe I can get to the bolts behind the cab.
It's the bolts on the bottom. Will I have to remove the bed to get these bolts out? 86 chevy c-20 dual fuel tanks. Any help would be appreciated!
Thanks Phil.
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Posted via Mobile Device

**old Rusty C10** · 08-14-2011, 05:17 PM

ive never tried it any other way.. i think that it wou ld be a real problem at best to get the bolts back in when you have the old one off...

tucsonjwt · 08-14-2011, 06:36 PM

I can see how you could get to the ones in the middle, but don't know how you could get to the ones on the outer edges above the tanks. It looks to me like those rectangular nut plates holding on the screws might fall out when you remove the screws - then how would you thread them back on with no access? If you can remove the bed without rounding out the square holes in the bed then that would be the way to go. You might just cut off the bolts for safety sake and buy a new set of bed bolts and nuts. Removing the bed is not very involved - just the light harness, gas tank filler necks, I think maybe a vent for the differential attached to the bottom of the bed (maybe other stuff). I have seen all of the connections disconnected and the bed jacked up from below and placed on sawhorses high enough to clear the truck frame and tires - then the truck driven out from below.

bigblock73 · 08-14-2011, 08:01 PM

You will have to remove a good number of bolts along the bedsides/bedfloor too, as they have to come out a little to get the front bed panel off. Not as easy as it looks.

cjlinkster · 08-14-2011, 09:01 PM

I am going to have to replace the same panel on my truck.

When I did my gas tank a couple of weeks ago, I took the bed bolts out and just jacked up the front of the bed. That should give you enough space to get at the panel bolts on the bottom.

The trick with removing the bed bolts is to use heat. I used my little propane torch, and I had all of the bolts out within an hour.

08-14-2011, 05:16 PM	#1
Phil750 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Peoria Az Posts: 47	Front bed panel I want to replace this panel! I believe I can get to the bolts behind the cab. It's the bolts on the bottom. Will I have to remove the bed to get these bolts out? 86 chevy c-20 dual fuel tanks. Any help would be appreciated! Thanks Phil. Posted via Mobile Device Posted via Mobile Device

08-14-2011, 05:17 PM	#2
old Rusty C10 Robert Olson Transport Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: recent transplant to NC USA Posts: 20,345	Re: Front bed panel ive never tried it any other way.. i think that it wou ld be a real problem at best to get the bolts back in when you have the old one off... __________________ Bob 1951 International running on a squarebody chassis "If a man's worth is judged by the people he associates himself with, then i am the richest man in the world knowing some of the fine people of this board" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...t.php?f=25&a=9 (you can review the site rules here!) PM Me for your vehicle/parts hauling needs in the North East US or see my Facebook page Robert Olson Transport Live each day to the fullest.. you never know when fate is going to pull the rug out from under you... I hate cancer!!

08-14-2011, 06:36 PM	#3
tucsonjwt Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,198	Re: Front bed panel I can see how you could get to the ones in the middle, but don't know how you could get to the ones on the outer edges above the tanks. It looks to me like those rectangular nut plates holding on the screws might fall out when you remove the screws - then how would you thread them back on with no access? If you can remove the bed without rounding out the square holes in the bed then that would be the way to go. You might just cut off the bolts for safety sake and buy a new set of bed bolts and nuts. Removing the bed is not very involved - just the light harness, gas tank filler necks, I think maybe a vent for the differential attached to the bottom of the bed (maybe other stuff). I have seen all of the connections disconnected and the bed jacked up from below and placed on sawhorses high enough to clear the truck frame and tires - then the truck driven out from below. Attached Images

08-14-2011, 08:01 PM	#4
bigblock73 yeller Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Twin Cities Posts: 13,824	Re: Front bed panel You will have to remove a good number of bolts along the bedsides/bedfloor too, as they have to come out a little to get the front bed panel off. Not as easy as it looks. __________________ Jeff 73-87.com 73-87.com Facebook page 73-87 cab corner 6x9 speaker brackets for sale 67-72 cab corner speaker brackets for sale 47-54 cab corner speaker brackets for sale

08-14-2011, 09:01 PM	#5
cjlinkster Registered User Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Atlanta ga Posts: 150	Re: Front bed panel I am going to have to replace the same panel on my truck. When I did my gas tank a couple of weeks ago, I took the bed bolts out and just jacked up the front of the bed. That should give you enough space to get at the panel bolts on the bottom. The trick with removing the bed bolts is to use heat. I used my little propane torch, and I had all of the bolts out within an hour. __________________ 1984 C20, 454, 4 speed named "Gold Member"



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