71 fleetside outer bedside removal

[Mullinsracing]

how do you remove the outer bedsides from the inner bedsides? I want to hammer out some spots on the outer bed panels but there isn't enough clearance to the inner panel. are they just spot welded along the top?

[hugger6933]

There are tons of welds. On the bottom of the inside where the inner fender goes, there even are some stitch welds. I've split lets see about two or three sets of those 67-72 bedsides and they are a lot of spot welds to get out before that thing comes loose. Def not something I 'd suggest to a beginner or somebody that isn't comfortable with that kind of work. I have put lots of bed skins on the late model trucks and this thing is a lot harder to do than skinning one of those. Jim

[Mullinsracing]

thanks for the reply. I am going to try and do the best I can without having to remove the skin but I may have to anyway.

[rollinpjm]

Don't know if self promoting is ok have and if not just say so. But I just removed a left side and I've put it up for sale. Hope everything works out for you but in the event you may need one I have one.

[Tumbleweed1C4]

Its not really that bad. If you sand it down you can see the dimples around the perimeter from the spot welds, and there are quite a few, and they are not regularly spaced. Be prepared to go through several spotweld cutters. The biggest PIA for me was PO had welded stake pockets closed, so that was a B%$!ch. And the lip around the tail lights wanted to clamshell it together. Just be patient, and when you think you have all the spotwelds cut, you don't. There will be some that you can't see the dimple on.