Shortbed Stepside bed crossbar question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**BC10** · 05-30-2015, 07:00 PM

Hi Everyone,
I took my entire bed off of my 68 Short Stepside two years ago. Now I can't figure how the crossbars are arranged across the frame. The smaller cross bar is the biggest mystery, I just can't figure out how it attaches to the frame since the holes don't match up. Any help is much appreciated.

SS Tim · 05-30-2015, 07:46 PM

Its a floater and not bolted to the frame.

Ruscal · 05-30-2015, 07:46 PM

I believe one of the bars floats, and is not needed for hold-down. It does bolt to the bed though. I can't verify that now because my truck is at another location.
Russ

SS Tim · 05-30-2015, 07:58 PM

The factory numbers.

**Tim Christian** · 05-30-2015, 08:20 PM

The small one is a reinforcement strip and does not bolt to the frame at all. Just to the bottom of the bed wood only.

**BC10** · 05-31-2015, 12:09 AM

Wow, thanks for all the help everyone. Does anyone have any info on how the very last crossbar that houses the electrical wires is attached? Does it need to fit between the two main frame bars in the rear, while being welded to the two bedsides?

**WIDESIDE72** · 05-31-2015, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BC10

Wow, thanks for all the help everyone. Does anyone have any info on how the very last crossbar that houses the electrical wires is attached? Does it need to fit between the two main frame bars in the rear, while being welded to the two bedsides?

Yes. The ends of rearmost cross member goes inside the bedside and attach with two bolts on each side. Originally they were also welded. I did not re weld mine after reassembly. Just a note regarding painting this cross member; it should be painted body color. On the truck in my profile photos,our painter painted ours black like the other crossmembers. More than likely, No one else notices this but me, but nonetheless...

**BC10** · 05-31-2015, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WIDESIDE72

Yes. The ends of rearmost cross member goes inside the bedside and attach with two bolts on each side. Originally they were also welded. I did not re weld mine after reassembly. Just a note regarding painting this cross member; it should be painted body color. On the truck in my profile photos,our painter painted ours black like the other crossmembers. More than likely, No one else notices this but me, but nonetheless...

Thanks Wideside!

57larry · 06-01-2015, 10:20 AM

good information. thanks, I've got my bed off too and don't remember

05-30-2015, 07:00 PM	#1
BC10 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 493	Shortbed Stepside bed crossbar question Hi Everyone, I took my entire bed off of my 68 Short Stepside two years ago. Now I can't figure how the crossbars are arranged across the frame. The smaller cross bar is the biggest mystery, I just can't figure out how it attaches to the frame since the holes don't match up. Any help is much appreciated. Attached Images

05-30-2015, 07:46 PM	#2
SS Tim Registered User Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Edwards, CA Posts: 7,503	Re: Shortbed Stepside bed crossbar question Its a floater and not bolted to the frame. Attached Images __________________ Thanks, Tim * VIN/Model Decoders * Power Team Charts (engine/transmission/gear ratio) * Post Your Pickup SPID Blazer SPID Suburban/Panel SPID * RTFM ... Read The Factory Manuals... download 'em here Highlanders Do you have a 1972 Plaid Pickup? Plaid Blazer ** Plaid Suburban

05-30-2015, 07:46 PM	#3
Ruscal Registered User Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Carlsbad, California Posts: 165	Re: Shortbed Stepside bed crossbar question I believe one of the bars floats, and is not needed for hold-down. It does bolt to the bed though. I can't verify that now because my truck is at another location. Russ

05-30-2015, 07:58 PM	#4
SS Tim Registered User Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Edwards, CA Posts: 7,503	Re: Shortbed Stepside bed crossbar question The factory numbers. Attached Images __________________ Thanks, Tim * VIN/Model Decoders * Power Team Charts (engine/transmission/gear ratio) * Post Your Pickup SPID Blazer SPID Suburban/Panel SPID * RTFM ... Read The Factory Manuals... download 'em here Highlanders Do you have a 1972 Plaid Pickup? Plaid Blazer ** Plaid Suburban

05-30-2015, 08:20 PM	#5
Tim Christian Senior Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: TN/VA Posts: 6,388	Re: Shortbed Stepside bed crossbar question The small one is a reinforcement strip and does not bolt to the frame at all. Just to the bottom of the bed wood only.

05-31-2015, 12:09 AM	#6
BC10 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 493	Re: Shortbed Stepside bed crossbar question Wow, thanks for all the help everyone. Does anyone have any info on how the very last crossbar that houses the electrical wires is attached? Does it need to fit between the two main frame bars in the rear, while being welded to the two bedsides?

06-01-2015, 10:20 AM	#9
57larry Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 1,161	Re: Shortbed Stepside bed crossbar question good information. thanks, I've got my bed off too and don't remember



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