Bed question

[JoeKan]

Getting a lot done today on my 61 3/4 ton. I'm in the process of removing the bed off the frame, and in so doing, I will be needing to replace the bed floor with new lumber. The strips are very rusted and I don't think they're worth saving, however, before I go and destroy something original by cutting them off to make my work easier, is it ethically wrong to destroy completely and throw away original product even though it is is poor shape?
Thanks for the response. I will stand down with my saw zaw until I get clear instructions!!
Thank you,
Joe

[kizer]

Heres what I did.
http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...3&postcount=17

and

http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...4&postcount=24

My strips that held the lumber down where trashed.
http://i398.photobucket.com/albums/p...d/IMG00214.jpg
I just pounded down the lumber because well it was literally dust in my hands and then began cutting out the bed strips and using a couple of wrenches to remove the bolts. You can buy the strips on many sites and mine where beyond worth saving. The bed supports below are in pretty good condition and I will more than likely just clean them up and POR15 them along with the frame and rear end.

[jonzcustomshop]

I did the same as kizer, I felt a little pang of guilt for that 41 yr old strips and wood, but they were rusty, and the wood was rotten.
before you even think about the time and effort to repair (sand ,straighten , weld, bondo,paint) the old strips, just buy a new set. much cheaper in the long run.

[kizer]

Yeah I really thought it would be nice to keep them, but every bolt I tried to twist off under the body broke. I literally broke every strip bolt except one attempting to twist them off and ended up cutting off every bolt that mated the bed to the frame because they where that seized from all of the years of sitting out in the rain soaking up water from the old wood. I used plenty of PB blaster and a little butane torch trying to heat up and lube each bolt and finally said time for the cutting wheel.

Heck I even broke bolts trying to take off the rear factory bumper with the hitch on it. It was just a sad site. Its a bit spendy, but all stainless going on now.

[JoeKan]

Thanks. That is what I was thinking to, but thought I'd check first.
Have a great day,
Joe

[Sillyoldman]

I had no problem getting rid of the old ones. I dont have pics, but the last bed I did I busted out the wood and used my grinder to cut the bolts in the middle. First time I grinded the heads off. That was too much work.

[scot 6 feet eleven]

i bolted in 3/4 inch ply wood counter sunk the heads---then went to menards
got some carsiding and liquid nails and brad nails with my air brad nail gun then stained and cleared it 150 bucks or so turned out pretty good

[scot 6 feet eleven]

as for your old box you need to get medievel on it !!! sawzall and grinder and a hammer. at least thats my opinion only

scot

[kizer]

Yeah I just beat it like it owed me money. However mine was pretty much gone and it didn't take much to help it along.

After the helping along the bolts that where attached to the bed and to the frame I just pushed them up as high as I could go and took my cut off wheel to them. Cut them like butter. I was after the frame first so the bed had to come off.