Bed disassemble question.

[CSoliz]

I want to take the bed completely apart. I have taken all the wood out and took care of all the rusted nuts and bolts that held all the strips and wood in place. But before I take out the cutting wheel I want to make sure I am correct. would I be safe in assuming that I need to cut the welds at the rear of the bed that hold the cross piece to the bed sides?

Some pics:

I removed these bolts all ready:




Now, do I need to remove these welds?





Thanks for any help.

[65Custom]

Yep those welds will have to be cut to take the back cross member out.

[chevytrucknut61]

The whole bed should disassemble without cutting anything.I didn't have too. I had to order a new cross seal.It all bolted back together ok.

[Alan's Classic]

Originally Posted by 65Custom

Yep those welds will have to be cut to take the back cross member out.

I've done 3 beds and all had those welds.

[CSoliz]

Just the 2 welds for both on each side. Well there be any other thing I need to look out for? Welds, 4 bolts and......????

[CSoliz]

And Alan. Did you re-weld them when you reassembled the bed?

[Alan's Classic]

Originally Posted by CSoliz

And Alan. Did you re-weld them when you reassembled the bed?

That should be all that is holding it together. I have not put mine back together yet and when I do I don't plan on rewelding it.

[CSoliz]

Thanks gentlemen.

[LILRED66]

All fleetside beds, from the factory, have two stitch welds...one on the top of the cross sill to the bed side and one on the vertical surface of the cross sill to the bed panel, as shown in your pictures. Welding them back together is not necessary, unless you want to stay factory-correct.

I use a zip wheel to cut the stitch welds, followed by cleaning up the residual weld before reassembling.

[babyblu63]

i had the exact same thing on mine just last week..kinda wierd that was the only spot it was welded..oh well

[Vernski]

Originally Posted by LILRED66

All fleetside beds, from the factory, have two stitch welds...one on the top of the cross sill to the bed side and one on the vertical surface of the cross sill to the bed panel, as shown in your pictures. Welding them back together is not necessary, unless you want to stay factory-correct.

I use a zip wheel to cut the stitch welds, followed by cleaning up the residual weld before reassembling.

Hey Tony this may be a fluke or just odd my 65 GMC long fleet was just bolted on. I had to replace the left side because of body damage was unfixable. I found a chev at the local yard it was welded on could be a thing about gmc's I don't know as my experince is only with this one.---Vernski

[kizer]

I was going to post pictures, but their Photobucket filter is a pain in the butt here.

http://www.links4jeeps.com/chevytruck/news.php?id=61

[LILRED66]

I have a few fleetside GMC trucks and they are stitch welded, as well, but maybe some of the line techs missed a few. The factory assembly manual shows welds in these locations, also. Maybe you have a rare bird, since your's isn't welded.

[mbgmike]

Anthing can happen back then in the factory Even today cars and trucks come in the dealerships some can be missing parts, or won't start, some have to pushed off the tranport trailer. Thats why they have dealer prep Sometimes they wrecked them at the factory and fixed them and would sell them as new.

[Alan's Classic]

Originally Posted by mbgmike

Anthing can happen back then in the factory Even today cars and trucks come in the dealerships some can be missing parts, or won't start, some have to pushed off the tranport trailer. Thats why they have dealer prep Sometimes they wrecked them at the factory and fixed them and would sell them as new.

Amen, Brother.