Anyone got a step by step for bed removal?

[weever82]

I am looking to take off my bed so I can get to the frame and clean/repaint it. It's a 69 SWB fleetside. Seems it would he easy with a few buddies to lift it off but any tips/instructions would be very beneficial to me. I don't want any hang ups when we go to lift it.

Thanks for reading

Weev-
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[Del72Chevy]

I just took mine off all you have to do is remove or cut the wires for the taillights and take the 8 bolts out. My truck had no spare tire so I don't know if that would effect you. Two of us lifted it off but you first want to slide it back an inch or two before you lift so the bottom of the bed sides don't hit the cab as you lift. Then just set it on top of a few wooden pallets or four milk crates is what I did.

[VA72C10]

In addition, make sure when lifting to not catch the support rods on the frame...if you can get 4 people it is a lot easier but doable with two....heck, one guy can do it but you'll likely damage the bed..
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[weever82]

Appreciate it guys,

So basically take out the rear taillights, unbolt 8 bolts and we are good to go? Remove rear bumper or any hang ups with rear brake lines/e-brake to get out of the way? Did u remove the rear tires to slide it off easier? Wonder how much that baby weighs...

Weev-
Posted via Mobile Device

[weever82]

Originally Posted by Del72Chevy

I just took mine off all you have to do is remove or cut the wires for the taillights and take the 8 bolts out. My truck had no spare tire so I don't know if that would effect you. Two of us lifted it off but you first want to slide it back an inch or two before you lift so the bottom of the bed sides don't hit the cab as you lift. Then just set it on top of a few wooden pallets or four milk crates is what I did.

Great idea with the milk crates... I will be robbing the dumpster from out back of Walgreens tonight... Haha

Weev-
Posted via Mobile Device

[Del72Chevy]

i did take my tires off i left that part out I also lowered the truck down as far as I could on stands so I didn't have to lift as high...you do not have to remove the lights just find a way to disconnect the wires where the frame and bed meet up...brake lines and e-brake cause me no troubles...for weight i don't know exactly but it is definitely not as heavy as you probably think it is

[DesertCat]

Any idea how much a short fleet with a metal floor weighs?

Edit: Tip of the day - refresh the thread you're reading if it's been a while before replying

[magwakeenercew2jh]

Originally Posted by weever82

Appreciate it guys,

So basically take out the rear taillights, unbolt 8 bolts and we are good to go?

Posted via Mobile Device

Naaaaw. You can take out the lights and side markers if you have 'em, but why?

Unplug the wiring harness at the frame/bed rail. The plug's under the bed and behind the driver's rear tire
(at the end of the harness that runs along the ds frame rail), and supplies all the juice to the rear and marker and plate lights.
I don't know where you are running your license plate, but look for the wires for those lights if they aren't attached to the bed.


If it's the first time the bed's been off for a while, an impact under the bed would be nice...
...with someone up top to be sure the heads of the carriage bolts stay "in place".

Then, look for ground straps between the frame and bed, watch the supports like VA72C10 said, look for any other interference
like the ebrake cable(s) and other possibly mis-routed stuff.

I don't know anything about spare tire stuff. Never use 'em.

Like Del72 said, slide her back a little and, please, please, get four guys. It's soooooo much easier with four guys.
And, have a good place to set her down. I like four saw horses. That way, she's easier to put down (and pick up again),
a better level to work on, and you can stash stuff underneath while you work on the frame.

[rpmgroup]

first thing to do is buy beer and then call a couple of buds over, after that it easy. I too removed the wheels and set the truck as close to the ground as possible, that way you are not trying to lift it over the tires.

[davepl]

I don't know if it was some aftermarket modification on mine, but at the front of the bed there was a bracket, possibly for the fuel line. When I lifted the bed off straight up it gouged the cab. I'm repainting anyway, but if you're not planning to, take a gander down there to make sure.

Also watch for previous-owner mods where they've installed trailer wiring or a hitch or anything like that. On mine they had installed things that wound up connecting the bed to the back bumper assembly; normally they are separate but I had to disconnect all of their work so that the bed would lift.

[crushermechanic]

this is how i lift mine. i can have my bed off and in the air in 10 min by myself. the truck crane is a great tool to have.

[Chvy2NV]

Is it possible to remove the wooden floor beds with the wood in place ?

[weever82]

Originally Posted by crushermechanic

this is how i lift mine. i can have my bed off and in the air in 10 min by myself. the truck crane is a great tool to have.

Thats amazing!

Thanks for all the help guys. Seems to be pretty straight forward.

Weev-

[70K10Hunter]

Here's how I removed mine....