How to remove Cross Sills? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Fl72Custom10 · 03-25-2006, 07:04 PM

I'm restoring a long bed on a 72 Chevy Fleetside with a steel floor. I have one cross sill that is rusted out. I have removed all of the bolts but it is still welded to the floor. Does anyone know how to remove it without damaging the floor? I'm a newbie and diving into this without knowing what I'm getting into.

Thanks!

**Palf70Step** · 03-25-2006, 08:24 PM

I have not looked at mine yet, but I am going to assume it is like alot of the other welds on the bed, that if you had a spot weld cutter drill bit that would remove the weld and leave just a tiny hole in the beld to weld the new crosssill in.

qksilver · 03-26-2006, 12:34 AM

get a spot weld cutter, wire brush the still to metal so you can see the spot welds. Be really gentle and drill them out. A regular drill bit can be used but only with lots of experience. Spot weld drill bits are cheap, when you drill turn the bit fairly slow, don't push the drill as fast as it goes. About half way

Fl72Custom10 · 03-26-2006, 02:32 PM

Thanks guys. I went to Home Depot, Lowes, and an auto parts store. They all glazed over when I asked about spot weld cutter drill bits. I'll try a specialty welding shop supply place on Monday. If anybody has any suggestions let me know.

**JDL** · 03-26-2006, 02:53 PM

http://www.eastwoodco.com/shopping/p...ProductID=1148

**dennislbrooks** · 03-26-2006, 05:16 PM

I had a shortbed--and I know I drilled out far over 100 spotwelds in mine.

**Palf70Step** · 03-26-2006, 05:37 PM

The only place I ever foundone for me locally was at NAPA, but I never thought to check at a welding suppply place either

03-25-2006, 07:04 PM	#1
Fl72Custom10 New Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Tallahassee, Fl Posts: 17	How to remove Cross Sills? I'm restoring a long bed on a 72 Chevy Fleetside with a steel floor. I have one cross sill that is rusted out. I have removed all of the bolts but it is still welded to the floor. Does anyone know how to remove it without damaging the floor? I'm a newbie and diving into this without knowing what I'm getting into. Thanks!

03-25-2006, 08:24 PM	#2
Palf70Step State of Confusion! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gulfport, MS USA Posts: 46,820	Re: How to remove Cross Sills? I have not looked at mine yet, but I am going to assume it is like alot of the other welds on the bed, that if you had a spot weld cutter drill bit that would remove the weld and leave just a tiny hole in the beld to weld the new crosssill in. __________________ 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; 03-25-2006 at 08:24 PM.

03-26-2006, 12:34 AM	#3
qksilver Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Southern Pines NC Posts: 3,853	Re: How to remove Cross Sills? get a spot weld cutter, wire brush the still to metal so you can see the spot welds. Be really gentle and drill them out. A regular drill bit can be used but only with lots of experience. Spot weld drill bits are cheap, when you drill turn the bit fairly slow, don't push the drill as fast as it goes. About half way

03-26-2006, 02:32 PM	#4
Fl72Custom10 New Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Tallahassee, Fl Posts: 17	Re: How to remove Cross Sills? Thanks guys. I went to Home Depot, Lowes, and an auto parts store. They all glazed over when I asked about spot weld cutter drill bits. I'll try a specialty welding shop supply place on Monday. If anybody has any suggestions let me know.

03-26-2006, 02:53 PM	#5
JDL Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Agency IA. Posts: 1,839	Re: How to remove Cross Sills? http://www.eastwoodco.com/shopping/p...ProductID=1148 __________________ 72 Chevy short step side with 454 air and tilt. 72 nova project car 63 chevy II drag car Agency Iowa

03-26-2006, 05:16 PM	#6
dennislbrooks Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Williamsburg, Ohio Posts: 1,766	Re: How to remove Cross Sills? I had a shortbed--and I know I drilled out far over 100 spotwelds in mine.

03-26-2006, 05:37 PM	#7
Palf70Step State of Confusion! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gulfport, MS USA Posts: 46,820	Re: How to remove Cross Sills? The only place I ever foundone for me locally was at NAPA, but I never thought to check at a welding suppply place either __________________ 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!



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