Taking the bed off - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

skokie · 01-23-2008, 03:06 PM

Here in March/April I am planning on installing my fuel cell. I know there are bolts to take off before you can take off the bed as well as disconnecting the wiring but can you lift the bed off with a cherry picker? If so whats the best way to do it? I did a search for removing a bed but the search came back with nothing.

Thanks

Farmstore34 · 01-23-2008, 03:36 PM

Hi, skokie,
I just removed the bed on my 72 chevy. The wiring unplugs easily from a connector behind the rear bumper, then there are 4 or 6 bolts that go down thru the frame (mine only had 4). I soaked them up with WD40 and they came right off. I lifted it off with the help of my 17 year old son and his buddy. It was a little heavy but no problem. If your cherry picker has a boom long enough to reach the center of the bed you should be able to do it. Good luck!
Colby.

Rollie396 · 01-23-2008, 04:09 PM

hell ya!I wish I would have had a picker to do mine.
I soaked my 8 bolts(long bed) with wd40 and waited for awhile...then I cut them off with a zipcut.
I think the most stable way would be to use a short spreader bar with four chains or slings hanging down with hooks on the end.
If not then two or even one(with a 4x4 long enough to hook under both lips) will work with a bit of trial and error for balance.

cameeks · 01-23-2008, 05:41 PM

I went shade tree and used ratchet straps to the railing of the garage door (not advised

). I was going to use an engine hoist from the rear and just drive out from under it but it was to short for the long bed and I was out of 2x4s. When I put it back on I'm getting a come-a-long from work to lower it back down.

Rollie396 · 01-23-2008, 05:49 PM

hmmm,I'm wondering if "cherry picker" means different things from one side of the border to the other?
I know a cherry picker as a rig with at least a 2 ton knuckle boom up to a 15 ton straight hydraulic stick.....we may be talking u.s. apples to can. oranges mebbe

.

cameeks · 01-23-2008, 06:23 PM

At work that is how I think of it but at home it is an engine hoist

Number98 · 01-23-2008, 09:48 PM

I went the old fashion way with 3 buddies and a case of beer......

mbgmike · 01-23-2008, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Number98

I went the old fashion way with 3 buddies and a case of beer......

Thats the funnest way.

cdowns · 01-23-2008, 11:13 PM

i just clamp a 2x4 to the bedrails as far foward as possible then hook up the engine lift and add weight to the back of the bed to have it lift level

**LockDoc** · 01-24-2008, 12:28 AM

-
I know there are some posts about it but they may be hard to find....

LockDoc

Richard H. · 01-24-2008, 01:08 AM

That is how mine came off but it is an older hoist and a little more stout than some of the newer ones. Notice the yellow strap for a little balance help.

72 cheyenne pdx · 01-24-2008, 02:07 AM

I believe it is Rockcrln that designed something that is used with a cherry picker to take the bed off as well as the cab by one person.

You should PM him.

SEA

bobthecop · 01-24-2008, 02:11 AM

Always let your friends start drinking first, then after they have drank "your" beer, tell them you need a little help, hard to refuse a man when you have drank his beer.

greasy68 · 01-24-2008, 02:17 AM

How much do the beds on these things weigh? I'm a fan of the beer drinking method myself. I just need to know if I need to be selective and only invite big guys.

mbgmike · 01-24-2008, 02:35 AM

they have been making bed lifts and dollies for the body industry for a long time. We use a forklift with spreader bar. Still not as much fun as doing it with your beer drinking feinds.

I used a block and tackle used to lift Deer attached to the garage ceiling. If you have a really nice completed bed going back on then you invite your none drinking friends over to use. We don't have that option most time

skokie · 01-24-2008, 05:27 AM

What parts of the bed would the spreader bar need to hit? Just under the bed sides?

Number98 · 01-24-2008, 05:48 AM

See Mike, you have to save the "cold beverages" for after the work is done..... This increases the odds of the work actually getting done, and done right.

Rollie396 · 01-24-2008, 06:19 AM

I had 3 buddies come over and help lift mine off.It wasn't bad at all with 4 of us.I've heard of others doing it with just two but I wouldn't try it unless I was really stuck.

72freak · 01-24-2008, 06:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard H.

That is how mine came off but it is an older hoist and a little more stout than some of the newer ones. Notice the yellow strap for a little balance help.

I normally go for a little more stout than that!!!! Works great.

Now 3 buds, beer and a couple of saw horses is just as effective!!!!!!

bw4sale · 01-24-2008, 06:40 AM

Wow! Can you say overkill? That's awesome.

mbgmike · 01-24-2008, 06:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Number98

See Mike, you have to save the "cold beverages" for after the work is done..... This increases the odds of the work actually getting done, and done right.

Thats exactly what happens. I should know better

mbgmike · 01-24-2008, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skokie

What parts of the bed would the spreader bar need to hit? Just under the bed sides?

thats where we do it. Does not weight that much. just put some tubing under it. Of course it helps to have somone guiding it.

mbgmike · 01-24-2008, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 72freak

I normally go for a little more stout than that!!!! Works great.

Now 3 buds, beer and a couple of saw horses is just as effective!!!!!!

thats what we need.
Theres a guy on this forum up in Tecumsah Oklahoma that uses an old city garbage truck also.

piecesparts · 01-24-2008, 07:20 AM

I put eye bolts on every corner of my truck beds and I lft them with my engine hoist and some long nylon straps. Works great every time.

01-23-2008, 03:06 PM	#1
skokie Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: San Jose Ca. Posts: 3,354	Taking the bed off Here in March/April I am planning on installing my fuel cell. I know there are bolts to take off before you can take off the bed as well as disconnecting the wiring but can you lift the bed off with a cherry picker? If so whats the best way to do it? I did a search for removing a bed but the search came back with nothing. Thanks __________________ RIP to my son Dylan. 5/17/2002 - 8/18/2018 If you want to know more about rare forms of pediatric cancer or if you want to help fund pediatric cancer research, please check out the website for the non-profit I started. https://slothforpedcancer.org 68 build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=223234

01-23-2008, 03:36 PM	#2
Farmstore34 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Oregon Posts: 109	Re: Taking the bed off Hi, skokie, I just removed the bed on my 72 chevy. The wiring unplugs easily from a connector behind the rear bumper, then there are 4 or 6 bolts that go down thru the frame (mine only had 4). I soaked them up with WD40 and they came right off. I lifted it off with the help of my 17 year old son and his buddy. It was a little heavy but no problem. If your cherry picker has a boom long enough to reach the center of the bed you should be able to do it. Good luck! Colby. Last edited by Farmstore34; 01-23-2008 at 03:37 PM.

01-23-2008, 04:09 PM	#3
Rollie396 someday it will be done! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Lloydminster,AB. Canada Posts: 1,620	Re: Taking the bed off hell ya!I wish I would have had a picker to do mine. I soaked my 8 bolts(long bed) with wd40 and waited for awhile...then I cut them off with a zipcut. I think the most stable way would be to use a short spreader bar with four chains or slings hanging down with hooks on the end. If not then two or even one(with a 4x4 long enough to hook under both lips) will work with a bit of trial and error for balance. __________________ '72 C-10 Proud owner of a million new and used pieces that used to be and will once again be(god willing) a testament to the term "they don't build em like that anymore. '80 LWB 2wd beater '67 GMC long fleet (cab donor) '66 long step (parked till it's turn comes around) '65 short step (parts truck that will donate it's bed and possibly frame to the '66) '06 Grand Prix wife's car (she hardly lets me touch it) my pics Last edited by Rollie396; 01-23-2008 at 04:14 PM.

01-23-2008, 05:41 PM	#4
cameeks Long Fleet Club Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Deer Park, TX Posts: 5,666	Re: Taking the bed off I went shade tree and used ratchet straps to the railing of the garage door (not advised ). I was going to use an engine hoist from the rear and just drive out from under it but it was to short for the long bed and I was out of 2x4s. When I put it back on I'm getting a come-a-long from work to lower it back down. __________________ Chris Meeks '69 Chevy Custom/10 Long Bed <-- Thread of the work I did before selling. Truck is now finished to the new owners design and running around. I was shown some pictures of the finished product. At least it survived the junk yard. FAQ Index by Krue Site Vendors Subscribe Here Forum Rules

01-23-2008, 05:49 PM	#5
Rollie396 someday it will be done! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Lloydminster,AB. Canada Posts: 1,620	Re: Taking the bed off hmmm,I'm wondering if "cherry picker" means different things from one side of the border to the other? I know a cherry picker as a rig with at least a 2 ton knuckle boom up to a 15 ton straight hydraulic stick.....we may be talking u.s. apples to can. oranges mebbe . __________________ '72 C-10 Proud owner of a million new and used pieces that used to be and will once again be(god willing) a testament to the term "they don't build em like that anymore. '80 LWB 2wd beater '67 GMC long fleet (cab donor) '66 long step (parked till it's turn comes around) '65 short step (parts truck that will donate it's bed and possibly frame to the '66) '06 Grand Prix wife's car (she hardly lets me touch it) my pics

01-23-2008, 06:23 PM	#6
cameeks Long Fleet Club Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Deer Park, TX Posts: 5,666	Re: Taking the bed off At work that is how I think of it but at home it is an engine hoist __________________ Chris Meeks '69 Chevy Custom/10 Long Bed <-- Thread of the work I did before selling. Truck is now finished to the new owners design and running around. I was shown some pictures of the finished product. At least it survived the junk yard. FAQ Index by Krue Site Vendors Subscribe Here Forum Rules

01-23-2008, 09:48 PM	#7
Number98 Prestige Worldwide Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Worldwide Posts: 2,552	Re: Taking the bed off I went the old fashion way with 3 buddies and a case of beer......

01-23-2008, 11:13 PM	#9
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: Taking the bed off i just clamp a 2x4 to the bedrails as far foward as possible then hook up the engine lift and add weight to the back of the bed to have it lift level __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

01-24-2008, 12:28 AM	#10
LockDoc The Older Generation Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Montezuma, Iowa Posts: 25,818	Re: Taking the bed off - I know there are some posts about it but they may be hard to find.... LockDoc __________________ Leon Locksmith, Specializing In Antique Trucks, Automobiles, & Motorcycles (My Dually Pickup Project Thread) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=829820 -

01-24-2008, 01:08 AM	#11
Richard H. Spanked once Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Intheshop, Indiana Posts: 969	Re: Taking the bed off That is how mine came off but it is an older hoist and a little more stout than some of the newer ones. Notice the yellow strap for a little balance help. Attached Images

01-24-2008, 02:07 AM	#12
72 cheyenne pdx Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Portland Posts: 382	Re: Taking the bed off I believe it is Rockcrln that designed something that is used with a cherry picker to take the bed off as well as the cab by one person. You should PM him. SEA

01-24-2008, 02:11 AM	#13
bobthecop Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Yukon Oklahoma Posts: 2,647	Re: Taking the bed off Always let your friends start drinking first, then after they have drank "your" beer, tell them you need a little help, hard to refuse a man when you have drank his beer. __________________ Happiness is towing your "new" truck home. 1972 C-10 1982 GMC (parts truck??) 1969 c10 parts truck 1969 C-10 ( my sons) 1992 Silverado 4X4 (now the boys truck)(now mine again) 2002 Tarus (my wife loves that car)

01-24-2008, 02:17 AM	#14
greasy68 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: austin texas Posts: 202	Re: Taking the bed off How much do the beds on these things weigh? I'm a fan of the beer drinking method myself. I just need to know if I need to be selective and only invite big guys. __________________ Mike 68 C10 LWB midnight blue metallic 307ci, 700R4, HEI front discs, leaf spring rear tilt steering wheel, stock ride height, rally wheels, 2007 Dodge Charger(Hemi)

01-24-2008, 02:35 AM	#15
mbgmike Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Pasadena,Tx /Pto Pta DR Posts: 5,415	Re: Taking the bed off they have been making bed lifts and dollies for the body industry for a long time. We use a forklift with spreader bar. Still not as much fun as doing it with your beer drinking feinds. I used a block and tackle used to lift Deer attached to the garage ceiling. If you have a really nice completed bed going back on then you invite your none drinking friends over to use. We don't have that option most time

01-24-2008, 05:27 AM	#16
skokie Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: San Jose Ca. Posts: 3,354	Re: Taking the bed off What parts of the bed would the spreader bar need to hit? Just under the bed sides? __________________ RIP to my son Dylan. 5/17/2002 - 8/18/2018 If you want to know more about rare forms of pediatric cancer or if you want to help fund pediatric cancer research, please check out the website for the non-profit I started. https://slothforpedcancer.org 68 build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=223234



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

01-24-2008, 05:48 AM	#17
Number98 Prestige Worldwide Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Worldwide Posts: 2,552	Re: Taking the bed off See Mike, you have to save the "cold beverages" for after the work is done..... This increases the odds of the work actually getting done, and done right.

01-24-2008, 06:19 AM	#18
Rollie396 someday it will be done! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Lloydminster,AB. Canada Posts: 1,620	Re: Taking the bed off I had 3 buddies come over and help lift mine off.It wasn't bad at all with 4 of us.I've heard of others doing it with just two but I wouldn't try it unless I was really stuck. __________________ '72 C-10 Proud owner of a million new and used pieces that used to be and will once again be(god willing) a testament to the term "they don't build em like that anymore. '80 LWB 2wd beater '67 GMC long fleet (cab donor) '66 long step (parked till it's turn comes around) '65 short step (parts truck that will donate it's bed and possibly frame to the '66) '06 Grand Prix wife's car (she hardly lets me touch it) my pics

01-24-2008, 06:40 AM	#20
bw4sale Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Hendersonville, TN Posts: 1,528	Re: Taking the bed off Wow! Can you say overkill? That's awesome. __________________ BRENT -'68 Stepside Project -'98 Z71 Daily Driver -Enough extra parts to build another truck and a half

01-24-2008, 07:20 AM	#24
piecesparts Parts and more parts Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lebo, Kansas (middle of nowhere Posts: 6,821	Re: Taking the bed off I put eye bolts on every corner of my truck beds and I lft them with my engine hoist and some long nylon straps. Works great every time.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.