Removing bed from '72 Fleetside - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

crawdad · 10-08-2004, 08:19 PM

I am going to try and take the bed off of my truck this weekend. Having never done this before, I was wondering if someone could walk me through the procedures. I'm hoping to remove the bed as a complete assembly. I don't want to disassemble it at this point. With that in mind, how many bolts hold it down? Will I need a torch or maybe a cutoff wheel on a grinder? What about wiring? Do you think two or three people could lift it off? It looks kinda heavy. Any helpful ideas would be greatly appreciated.

**Classic Heartbeat** · 10-08-2004, 08:24 PM

Just 8 bolts and the electric plug for your taillights. The eight bolts are the ones that you see in the bed bottom. WES www.ClassicHeartbeat.com

Longhorn Man · 10-08-2004, 08:31 PM

The bolts may be pretty rusty, esp if your truck came from a costal city, or even worse, from my neck of the woods. Personally, i wouldn't even bother trying to save them, plan on breaking them.
Also look for stuff from previouse owners like wall mart exhaust hangers, and there should be a ground strap or two in there somewhere...I'm thinking at the front left of the bed. If you can't find it, it may be gone...if it isn't gone, you'll know it when you go to lift it.
2 ppl might be able to do it...but they better be in shape. I would want 4, and another one to drive the truck out from under the bed (easier than trying to walk with it lifted over the tires) and maybe another person or a couple ppl to get the saw horses in place to set it on.
Beer is usually a good incentive to get 'the guys' over to help. Just don't give them much untill it is removed.

minibike · 10-08-2004, 08:55 PM

I used a engine hoist (cherry picker) to lift mine off. It was no problem. I had four adjustable straps to each stake pocket to make sure it lifts level. Save yourself some trouble by wrapping some towels around the ends of the bumpers and the front of the bed where it could hit the cab, if it swings a little.

minibike · 10-08-2004, 09:00 PM

Pic attached:

71swb4x4 · 10-08-2004, 09:02 PM

I removed my rear tires, and lowered the truck as far as it would go. It made it a cinch, didn't have to lift the bed very much.

crawdad · 10-08-2004, 09:26 PM

Thanks fellas. I really appreciate the help. Maybe it want be as bad as I thought it was going to be after all. This has got to be one of the best forums I have ever been on for the exchange of information. I know I wouldn't be able to do it at all without your help. BTW, I'm taking pictures of my progress (slow as it is). I took a roll yesterday of my rotted out floorboard. Can't wait to show that to you. You'll get a good laugh. It's all film pictures, so I'll have to scan the prints and then post. I had wanted to get a digital camera, but that has been put on the back burner for now. Bet you can't guess why (can you spell...mig welder?)

bluec10 · 10-08-2004, 09:33 PM

Remove the tires...why didn't I think of that. Good idea.

10-08-2004, 08:19 PM	#1
crawdad Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Georgia Posts: 614	Removing bed from '72 Fleetside I am going to try and take the bed off of my truck this weekend. Having never done this before, I was wondering if someone could walk me through the procedures. I'm hoping to remove the bed as a complete assembly. I don't want to disassemble it at this point. With that in mind, how many bolts hold it down? Will I need a torch or maybe a cutoff wheel on a grinder? What about wiring? Do you think two or three people could lift it off? It looks kinda heavy. Any helpful ideas would be greatly appreciated. __________________ 2012 Silverado LT 1500, 5.3, 6 speed auto '86 SWB C-10 Silverado

10-08-2004, 08:24 PM	#2
Classic Heartbeat Project Junkie! Fishing Poor!! Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Olympia,Wa. 98512 Posts: 10,770	Just 8 bolts and the electric plug for your taillights. The eight bolts are the ones that you see in the bed bottom. WES www.ClassicHeartbeat.com __________________ On-line catolog Classic Heartbeat Pickup Parts WEHEPP@comcast.net Call us Toll Free (888) 338-2502 Like Us on Facebook No appointment necessary. 72 BB Chevy Custom Deluxe / Custom Camper 67 I-6 (Soon to be 5.7 LS1) Panel 68 BB Chevy Short Bed 72 6.0 LQ9 Short Bed Chevy 4X4 Olympia's fastest growing truck parts supplier. Olympia's home for Wayward Chevys

10-08-2004, 08:55 PM	#4
minibike Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Lafayette, LA Posts: 500	I used a engine hoist (cherry picker) to lift mine off. It was no problem. I had four adjustable straps to each stake pocket to make sure it lifts level. Save yourself some trouble by wrapping some towels around the ends of the bumpers and the front of the bed where it could hit the cab, if it swings a little. __________________ 69 SWB LT1/4L60E www.classicplace.com

10-08-2004, 09:00 PM	#5
minibike Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Lafayette, LA Posts: 500	Pic attached: Attached Images __________________ 69 SWB LT1/4L60E www.classicplace.com

10-08-2004, 09:02 PM	#6
71swb4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Brookings, SD Posts: 10,497	I removed my rear tires, and lowered the truck as far as it would go. It made it a cinch, didn't have to lift the bed very much. __________________ Some people are like slinkies, they aren't good for anything, but you can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs.

10-08-2004, 08:31 PM	#3
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	The bolts may be pretty rusty, esp if your truck came from a costal city, or even worse, from my neck of the woods. Personally, i wouldn't even bother trying to save them, plan on breaking them. Also look for stuff from previouse owners like wall mart exhaust hangers, and there should be a ground strap or two in there somewhere...I'm thinking at the front left of the bed. If you can't find it, it may be gone...if it isn't gone, you'll know it when you go to lift it. 2 ppl might be able to do it...but they better be in shape. I would want 4, and another one to drive the truck out from under the bed (easier than trying to walk with it lifted over the tires) and maybe another person or a couple ppl to get the saw horses in place to set it on. Beer is usually a good incentive to get 'the guys' over to help. Just don't give them much untill it is removed.

10-08-2004, 09:26 PM	#7
crawdad Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Georgia Posts: 614	Thanks fellas. I really appreciate the help. Maybe it want be as bad as I thought it was going to be after all. This has got to be one of the best forums I have ever been on for the exchange of information. I know I wouldn't be able to do it at all without your help. BTW, I'm taking pictures of my progress (slow as it is). I took a roll yesterday of my rotted out floorboard. Can't wait to show that to you. You'll get a good laugh. It's all film pictures, so I'll have to scan the prints and then post. I had wanted to get a digital camera, but that has been put on the back burner for now. Bet you can't guess why (can you spell...mig welder?) __________________ 2012 Silverado LT 1500, 5.3, 6 speed auto '86 SWB C-10 Silverado

10-08-2004, 09:33 PM	#8
bluec10 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Manitoba, Canada Posts: 663	Remove the tires...why didn't I think of that. Good idea. __________________ Present: 2015 Tacoma. Yeah, not a GM, but I love it. 1969 GMC 32,000 - fix, drive, relax, fix... 2019 BMW R1250 GSA - Yahoooooooo 1979 Honda GL 1000 - retro touring at its best. Past: '05 Sierra 4x4 - Had 270,000 KM and running well when it was written-off by a stop sign runner. '94 F-150 from the "F word" company. I'll admit it...good truck. Sold what was left of it for $800 to a guy who came to pick it up at 11:00 PM with cash in hand. Hmm. '79 Sierra Grande (Black) organ donor - perfect rebuildable 4-bolt 350 and a good TH350. '76 Sierra Grande (Orange) - hate isn't too strong a word. Kid who bought it turned it into a hot rod. '68 C-10 R.I.P. - Dad's old truck...too far gone to resurrect. '59 C-50 - with hoist. Truck is gone, wife isn't. Nuff said.



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