Can you set the bed on end or top for cleaning/repair ?? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**Green Machine** · 10-13-2005, 03:21 PM

I am going to pull the all steel bed on the green 70 for repair and cleaning. I know how to get the bed off, and may set it on some saw horses. But, what I want to do is to set the bed on one end or other or turn upside down so I can powerwash all the crud off that I can't get to now. I want fix some small areas and then undercoat the entire bottom. I can't figure out how to do this without bending something. Has anyone done this, or do you just work from underneath while on a stand of some sort ? I know I could take the bed apart but don't want to spend that much time. Any thoughts ?? Thanks

MAR-Ktech · 10-13-2005, 04:19 PM

Suggest standing the bed on the front panel by supporting it on 4x4 boards placed under the bolts that bolt the front panel to the bed sides. That area is strong and this method would avoid putting pressure on any of the outer sheet metal or the front panel itself. Just get some help lifting and setting it down so you do not transfer the weight of the bed to the bottom of the bedsides as you tilt it to the vertical postion. Also, it is not real stable in the vertical position, especially with a long bed, so it should be braced to keep it from falling.

Mar-Ktech

zachary2001 · 10-13-2005, 04:24 PM

Turn It Urpside Down On Two Sawhorses That Is How I Did Mine It Is A Whole Lot More Stable That Way. I Sanded And Painted Mine Sitting That Way And Undercoated The Bed Just Like You Wanted To Do..

Later, Josh

**Green Machine** · 10-13-2005, 04:30 PM

I can borrow an cherry picker engine hoist, would that help any and how would I hook it up, or could 4 people lift it to an upright position without crushing the bottom ?

Ochre · 10-13-2005, 05:12 PM

somewhat on topic...for getting undercoating off use a small hammer and some liquid nitrogen or other very very cold stuff....freeze it them give it a light smack with a hammer, will shatter and fall off, much easier than taking it off with a wire wheel (speaking from experience here)

MAR-Ktech · 10-13-2005, 05:39 PM

Green Machine, we have stood those beds up by tilting them on the front sill and the front panel where it attaches to the steel floor. Use some blocks under that area that are tall enough to keep the lower front bed side sheet metal off of the floor and that support the bed along the entire width of the floor. It is just not recommended to stand it upright with the weight of the bed on the center area of the front panel. Two men can tilt it to an upright position with a third helper to position the blocks appropriately as the bed is tilted up.

Mar-Ktech

71SWBChevy · 10-13-2005, 06:48 PM

I had myself and three other guys to help when I took the bed off my 71 its a steel short fleet and we had no problem picking it up and then tilting up on to the front panel up against the wall, then we screwed so eye bolts into the posts on both sides and ran a strap across it. Seems to be fine, we did put boards under it like everyone else has said also

10-13-2005, 03:21 PM	#1
Green Machine Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Estherville, Iowa Posts: 3,371	Can you set the bed on end or top for cleaning/repair ?? I am going to pull the all steel bed on the green 70 for repair and cleaning. I know how to get the bed off, and may set it on some saw horses. But, what I want to do is to set the bed on one end or other or turn upside down so I can powerwash all the crud off that I can't get to now. I want fix some small areas and then undercoat the entire bottom. I can't figure out how to do this without bending something. Has anyone done this, or do you just work from underneath while on a stand of some sort ? I know I could take the bed apart but don't want to spend that much time. Any thoughts ?? Thanks __________________ 1968 C10 307 3spd Long Fleet ------ http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=201103 1970 C10 305 Super T10 Long Fleet --- http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=202285 1971 C20 383 TH350 Dana Posi ----- http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=206894 2001 GMC Sierra 1500 C3 6.0

10-13-2005, 04:19 PM	#2
MAR-Ktech Truck Parts Mfg. Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 697	Suggest standing the bed on the front panel by supporting it on 4x4 boards placed under the bolts that bolt the front panel to the bed sides. That area is strong and this method would avoid putting pressure on any of the outer sheet metal or the front panel itself. Just get some help lifting and setting it down so you do not transfer the weight of the bed to the bottom of the bedsides as you tilt it to the vertical postion. Also, it is not real stable in the vertical position, especially with a long bed, so it should be braced to keep it from falling. Mar-Ktech __________________ GET MAR-K Quality! Restoration and Custom Pickup Parts for Chevy, GMC, Ford, Dodge and Custom Trucks

10-13-2005, 04:24 PM	#3
zachary2001 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Celeste Texas Posts: 67	Bed Turn It Urpside Down On Two Sawhorses That Is How I Did Mine It Is A Whole Lot More Stable That Way. I Sanded And Painted Mine Sitting That Way And Undercoated The Bed Just Like You Wanted To Do.. Later, Josh

10-13-2005, 04:30 PM	#4
Green Machine Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Estherville, Iowa Posts: 3,371	I can borrow an cherry picker engine hoist, would that help any and how would I hook it up, or could 4 people lift it to an upright position without crushing the bottom ? __________________ 1968 C10 307 3spd Long Fleet ------ http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=201103 1970 C10 305 Super T10 Long Fleet --- http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=202285 1971 C20 383 TH350 Dana Posi ----- http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=206894 2001 GMC Sierra 1500 C3 6.0

10-13-2005, 05:39 PM	#6
MAR-Ktech Truck Parts Mfg. Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 697	Green Machine, we have stood those beds up by tilting them on the front sill and the front panel where it attaches to the steel floor. Use some blocks under that area that are tall enough to keep the lower front bed side sheet metal off of the floor and that support the bed along the entire width of the floor. It is just not recommended to stand it upright with the weight of the bed on the center area of the front panel. Two men can tilt it to an upright position with a third helper to position the blocks appropriately as the bed is tilted up. Mar-Ktech __________________ GET MAR-K Quality! Restoration and Custom Pickup Parts for Chevy, GMC, Ford, Dodge and Custom Trucks

10-13-2005, 05:12 PM	#5
Ochre Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: minnesota Posts: 78	somewhat on topic...for getting undercoating off use a small hammer and some liquid nitrogen or other very very cold stuff....freeze it them give it a light smack with a hammer, will shatter and fall off, much easier than taking it off with a wire wheel (speaking from experience here)

10-13-2005, 06:48 PM	#7
71SWBChevy Post Whore Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Owensboro KY Posts: 11,905	I had myself and three other guys to help when I took the bed off my 71 its a steel short fleet and we had no problem picking it up and then tilting up on to the front panel up against the wall, then we screwed so eye bolts into the posts on both sides and ran a strap across it. Seems to be fine, we did put boards under it like everyone else has said also



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