Bed Work - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**Palf70Step** · 09-13-2003, 07:19 PM

Got around to being able to work on the truck, in particular the bed. My stepside bed is from an 84 GMC. For those of you contemplating using a 73-87 step bed there are a few differences, but looks like they can all be worked out OK with time. I know even with this work it will be a lott cheaper then buying after market sides, front and what all.

Anyways You'll need to redo all the fender mount holes to match the original step fenders, and you'll have to fill the old fender holes (still working on this part)

You'll need to grind off the step mounts, as the sheet metal folds outward instead of inward. You'll also have to weld in about 1 1/2" to 2" stip of sheet metal to fill the gap between the newer bed and the original steps.

And this is the one I just discovered the other day. No one mentioned it before, but you'll either have to swap the rear cross brace for an original 67-72, or move the bed mounts (as I did.) The newer mounts are shorter by an inch or so.

First shot shows two still on their respective braces

**Palf70Step** · 09-13-2003, 07:20 PM

Anoter shot comparing the two. Sorry for the blurryiness on the originals.

*dtlilly* · 09-13-2003, 07:25 PM

Congrats on the progress. I'm sure the tips you provided will assist someone with the same plans.

**Palf70Step** · 09-13-2003, 07:27 PM

I drilled out the welds then chiseled off both brackets. As the picture goes, the top brace (really the underside) are the same. When I drilled out the welds, I drilled and left the center hole all the way thru. Used the drill bit thruogh this hole to align the 67-72 mounts to the newer bed. This is the first time I did this, and I don't know if I had a bad hair day (drill bit really), but I ate up some bits (about 8) on those welds. Guess the bits got too hot and they flexed and snapped. Used 1/8" bit first, the 9/64" to opend up the bracket's holes a bit more.

This was the actual first use of my new welder on the truck. Not the prettiest welds, but the are solid. I decided to butt weld the edges, as well as though the original holes for extra strength. here are the 67-72 mounts on the newer bed's rear cross brace.

I feel pretty good about it. Things worked out OK. I have to learn more patience with the welder though.

**Palf70Step** · 09-13-2003, 07:30 PM

Cleaned up the rest of the cross brace area and coated it in rust convertor...soon to get a good priming and some sort of good underside paint...POR or similar.

Hopefully I'll get to work on the side panel mods and show you what that took later.

If you can find a clean bed off 73-87 trucks, it can be made to fit...just takes a little time and patience

**Palf70Step** · 09-13-2003, 07:33 PM

Last one. Here is what the whole mess looked like before I covered it up till next week.

krue · 09-13-2003, 11:05 PM

Good job Bill! I guess I need to something to my truck now, otherwise you'll finish before I get started!

09-13-2003, 07:19 PM	#1
Palf70Step State of Confusion! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gulfport, MS USA Posts: 46,818	Bed Work Got around to being able to work on the truck, in particular the bed. My stepside bed is from an 84 GMC. For those of you contemplating using a 73-87 step bed there are a few differences, but looks like they can all be worked out OK with time. I know even with this work it will be a lott cheaper then buying after market sides, front and what all. Anyways You'll need to redo all the fender mount holes to match the original step fenders, and you'll have to fill the old fender holes (still working on this part) You'll need to grind off the step mounts, as the sheet metal folds outward instead of inward. You'll also have to weld in about 1 1/2" to 2" stip of sheet metal to fill the gap between the newer bed and the original steps. And this is the one I just discovered the other day. No one mentioned it before, but you'll either have to swap the rear cross brace for an original 67-72, or move the bed mounts (as I did.) The newer mounts are shorter by an inch or so. First shot shows two still on their respective braces __________________ Bill 1970 Chevy Custom/10 LWB Fleetside 2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab - DD Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Bill's Gallery Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God! Last edited by Palf70Step; 09-13-2003 at 09:38 PM.

09-13-2003, 07:20 PM	#2
Palf70Step State of Confusion! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gulfport, MS USA Posts: 46,818	Anoter shot comparing the two. Sorry for the blurryiness on the originals. __________________ Bill 1970 Chevy Custom/10 LWB Fleetside 2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab - DD Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Bill's Gallery Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God!

09-13-2003, 07:27 PM	#4
Palf70Step State of Confusion! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gulfport, MS USA Posts: 46,818	I drilled out the welds then chiseled off both brackets. As the picture goes, the top brace (really the underside) are the same. When I drilled out the welds, I drilled and left the center hole all the way thru. Used the drill bit thruogh this hole to align the 67-72 mounts to the newer bed. This is the first time I did this, and I don't know if I had a bad hair day (drill bit really), but I ate up some bits (about 8) on those welds. Guess the bits got too hot and they flexed and snapped. Used 1/8" bit first, the 9/64" to opend up the bracket's holes a bit more. This was the actual first use of my new welder on the truck. Not the prettiest welds, but the are solid. I decided to butt weld the edges, as well as though the original holes for extra strength. here are the 67-72 mounts on the newer bed's rear cross brace. I feel pretty good about it. Things worked out OK. I have to learn more patience with the welder though. __________________ Bill 1970 Chevy Custom/10 LWB Fleetside 2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab - DD Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Bill's Gallery Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God! Last edited by Palf70Step; 09-13-2003 at 09:40 PM.

09-13-2003, 07:30 PM	#5
Palf70Step State of Confusion! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gulfport, MS USA Posts: 46,818	Cleaned up the rest of the cross brace area and coated it in rust convertor...soon to get a good priming and some sort of good underside paint...POR or similar. Hopefully I'll get to work on the side panel mods and show you what that took later. If you can find a clean bed off 73-87 trucks, it can be made to fit...just takes a little time and patience __________________ Bill 1970 Chevy Custom/10 LWB Fleetside 2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab - DD Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Bill's Gallery Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God! Last edited by Palf70Step; 09-13-2003 at 09:41 PM.

09-13-2003, 07:33 PM	#6
Palf70Step State of Confusion! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gulfport, MS USA Posts: 46,818	Last one. Here is what the whole mess looked like before I covered it up till next week. __________________ Bill 1970 Chevy Custom/10 LWB Fleetside 2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab - DD Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Bill's Gallery Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God! Last edited by Palf70Step; 09-13-2003 at 09:42 PM.

09-13-2003, 07:25 PM	#3
dtlilly Account Suspended Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Shadow of Lambeau Field Posts: 5,597	Congrats on the progress. I'm sure the tips you provided will assist someone with the same plans.

09-13-2003, 11:05 PM	#7
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,450	Good job Bill! I guess I need to something to my truck now, otherwise you'll finish before I get started! __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"



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