Bed Removal Question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

tcb-1 · 11-27-2009, 05:41 PM

quick question gang.

has anyone drilled the bed-to-frame carriage bolt heads off.... from inside the bed?

mine are rusty and PB Blaster hasn't cut it. by the way, I have a wood floor and I want to keep it intact and not round off the washer seats in the wood.

I know it would be more labor intensive, but getting to the bolts with a tiger saw would take some fanagling.....

thanks in advance!!!!!

**Boog** · 11-27-2009, 05:59 PM

Haven't drilled the heads off any. I'd just grab the hot wrench and hit it from the bottom side real quick.

cdowns · 11-27-2009, 07:08 PM

i've ground the heads off with a cutoff wheel quite a few times on the bedbolts

big mike71 · 11-27-2009, 08:45 PM

Every bolt I try to take off breaks so let me have crack at them.

Bob 68327 · 11-27-2009, 08:50 PM

I would say center punch the head use a 3/8 bit to start go bigger if needed it won't be quick but it will work . My 2 cents

pat 70/71 · 11-27-2009, 09:18 PM

When I did my 70 short bed , it also was wooden bed with bolts that were rusted. I cut the mounting bolts from the under side of the bed with a sawsall (long blade) take your time and all will be good& buy new mounting hardware & keep it fun . ( I made my own wood bed, mahogany& black walnut) hope this helps. ...Pat

**Palf70Step** · 11-27-2009, 09:58 PM

I did them on my fleetside. Not that bad as long as your bits are sharp and the holes are already rounded. I got it close to coming off, then I center punched the bolt down through the head.

big mike71 · 11-27-2009, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pat 70/71

When I did my 70 short bed , it also was wooden bed with bolts that were rusted. I cut the mounting bolts from the under side of the bed with a sawsall (long blade) take your time and all will be good& buy new mounting hardware & keep it fun . ( I made my own wood bed, mahogany& black walnut) hope this helps. ...Pat

Let's see some pics of the bed.

msgross · 11-27-2009, 10:27 PM

well, I didn't use finesse when I took mine apart... sorry...

I'm sure that you know that those bolts aren't centered in the washers, I'd go at them from the bottom...

tcb-1 · 11-27-2009, 11:00 PM

well, I jumped in the bed with a few drill bits and went to town. drilling them out was a bit easier than the tiger saw. was able to save the washers and the washer recesses in the wood.

I want to save as much of the original bed components as possible. I am mounting my air tank and compressor for air bags under the bed. I want someone to be able to walk by this truck and not tell it's on air.

Mike, I can see you twisting a few bolts, your a bit on the MUSCULAR side!

Thanks for all the help gang!!

11-27-2009, 05:41 PM	#1
tcb-1 Nothing to see here..... Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Shawnee, KS Posts: 4,625	Bed Removal Question quick question gang. has anyone drilled the bed-to-frame carriage bolt heads off.... from inside the bed? mine are rusty and PB Blaster hasn't cut it. by the way, I have a wood floor and I want to keep it intact and not round off the washer seats in the wood. I know it would be more labor intensive, but getting to the bolts with a tiger saw would take some fanagling..... thanks in advance!!!!! __________________ Doug THANK YOU to our American Soldiers & Veterans - POW MIA "You will NEVER be forgotten". The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not. Thomas Jefferson

11-27-2009, 05:59 PM	#2
Boog laying low Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Searcy, Ark. USA Posts: 13,141	Re: Bed Removal Question Haven't drilled the heads off any. I'd just grab the hot wrench and hit it from the bottom side real quick. __________________ Boog 69 Chevy stepside, 358/T350, 4.11 posi, 4.5/4 drop, rallys, poboy driver primer is finer 91 Chevy sportside, Tahoe, Yukon & GMC Crewcab All GM..'nuff said. I stand for the flag and kneel at the cross

11-27-2009, 07:08 PM	#3
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: Bed Removal Question i've ground the heads off with a cutoff wheel quite a few times on the bedbolts __________________ 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

11-27-2009, 08:45 PM	#4
big mike71 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: independence mo Posts: 2,111	Re: Bed Removal Question Every bolt I try to take off breaks so let me have crack at them. __________________ I'm not as good as I once was, But I'm as good once as I ever was. Last edited by big mike71; 11-27-2009 at 08:46 PM. Reason: non speller

11-27-2009, 08:50 PM	#5
Bob 68327 72 Chevelle Club Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Newton , Iowa Posts: 2,052	Re: Bed Removal Question I would say center punch the head use a 3/8 bit to start go bigger if needed it won't be quick but it will work . My 2 cents __________________ I Have The Right To Remain Silent,But Lack The Ability 1972 Chevelle ... Mine 2006 Trailblazer... Hers 2002 Buick century ... Kids 2002 K1500 Z-71 EXT CAB ... Daily Driver 2005 Rockwood Roo ... For Camping 1974 Harley-Davidson XLH Sportster 84'' stroker

11-27-2009, 09:18 PM	#6
pat 70/71 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: newbury park california Posts: 1,038	Re: Bed Removal Question When I did my 70 short bed , it also was wooden bed with bolts that were rusted. I cut the mounting bolts from the under side of the bed with a sawsall (long blade) take your time and all will be good& buy new mounting hardware & keep it fun . ( I made my own wood bed, mahogany& black walnut) hope this helps. ...Pat

11-27-2009, 09:58 PM	#7
Palf70Step State of Confusion! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gulfport, MS USA Posts: 46,820	Re: Bed Removal Question I did them on my fleetside. Not that bad as long as your bits are sharp and the holes are already rounded. I got it close to coming off, then I center punched the bolt down through the head. __________________ Bill 1970 Chevy Custom/10 LWB Fleetside 2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab - DD Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Bill's Gallery Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God!

11-27-2009, 10:27 PM	#9
msgross Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Central PA Posts: 12,201	Re: Bed Removal Question well, I didn't use finesse when I took mine apart... sorry... I'm sure that you know that those bolts aren't centered in the washers, I'd go at them from the bottom... Attached Images __________________ The Garage: 1968 K-10 SWB - "Project Money Pit" 1996 Z-71 - "huntin rig" 1969 C-10 LWB (SOLD) "Project flip that truck or else" 1993 Passport, F@rd 1-ton (SOLD)"Project Cousin Eddie" My Garage Build "The 1,000 footer"

11-27-2009, 11:00 PM	#10
tcb-1 Nothing to see here..... Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Shawnee, KS Posts: 4,625	Re: Bed Removal Question well, I jumped in the bed with a few drill bits and went to town. drilling them out was a bit easier than the tiger saw. was able to save the washers and the washer recesses in the wood. I want to save as much of the original bed components as possible. I am mounting my air tank and compressor for air bags under the bed. I want someone to be able to walk by this truck and not tell it's on air. Mike, I can see you twisting a few bolts, your a bit on the MUSCULAR side! Thanks for all the help gang!! __________________ Doug THANK YOU to our American Soldiers & Veterans - POW MIA "You will NEVER be forgotten". The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not. Thomas Jefferson



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