How to build bedsides for AD - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

wibas · 02-21-2016, 11:48 PM

Any built there own bedsides? Mine are junk. I would like to see photos because i'm old. Thanks.

**mongocanfly** · 02-22-2016, 12:05 AM

Unless you just like to fab you would need access to a big metal break ,a good bead roller..etc etc you might be just as well off finding another set or get you some repro...mine are junk to..repro is what I'm doing..but it can and has been done

MARTINSR · 02-22-2016, 01:32 AM

You could make a brake from simply a few pieces of 1/4" angle iron. The top could be made from a piece of tubing. Take the pockets off yours and plug weld them onto the new pieces. It really wouldn't be that hard.

Do some tests and see what you got.

Brian

jackson · 02-22-2016, 10:17 AM

what martinsr said its not that hard. use your old bed sides for a pattern. go to a metal shop or air conditioning shop that has a brake . they probably wouldn't charge much for 20 min worth of work. weld a piece of muffler tubing on the top. sorry I don't have pics but there are some good pics on stovebolt of a guys bed project

solidaxel · 02-22-2016, 05:08 PM

Just use my index finger and called Mar-K !!

47 Fasttoys · 02-22-2016, 06:09 PM

Built mine on my AD, as in Art Deco. I did as others had mentioned, I had some 16 ga. sheet steel cut the proper lenght, had a 1/2 inch 90 degree bend put in the lower edge and a 55 degree (if I remember correctly) in the opposite direction. To this I welded a 1 1/2 pipe I got from an exhaust shop to the top for the rolled edge. Both the sides, front and rear pan and are 16ga. For the pockets I used 1 1/2" square tube. A couple of issues to be addressed when building: take your time on the top pipe welding, you don't want to build up to much heat. The only other issue I ran into was finding a shop to make the bend. When I found one it was only $10 to have it bent. Total cost 17 years ago was around $250. On the plus side the factory bed is only around 20ga. so you get some extra strength. Oh yea, I also build the bed on my other AD in my avatar. Anybody can pick up a phone and drop some cash, you can be a assembler or a craftsman.

Rob

02-21-2016, 11:48 PM	#1
wibas Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Lake Havasu City, Az Posts: 134	How to build bedsides for AD Any built there own bedsides? Mine are junk. I would like to see photos because i'm old. Thanks.

02-22-2016, 12:05 AM	#2
mongocanfly Post Whore Join Date: May 2015 Location: Alabama Posts: 14,627	Re: How to build bedsides for AD Unless you just like to fab you would need access to a big metal break ,a good bead roller..etc etc you might be just as well off finding another set or get you some repro...mine are junk to..repro is what I'm doing..but it can and has been done

02-22-2016, 01:32 AM	#3
MARTINSR Registered User Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Boise, Idaho Posts: 6,003	Re: How to build bedsides for AD You could make a brake from simply a few pieces of 1/4" angle iron. The top could be made from a piece of tubing. Take the pockets off yours and plug weld them onto the new pieces. It really wouldn't be that hard. Do some tests and see what you got. Brian __________________ 1948 Chevy pickup Chopped, Sectioned, 1953 Corvette 235 powered. Once was even 401 Buick mid engined with the carburetor right between the seats! Bought with paper route money in 1973 when I was 15. "Fan of most anything that moves human beings"

02-22-2016, 10:17 AM	#4
jackson Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: el campo texas Posts: 322	Re: How to build bedsides for AD what martinsr said its not that hard. use your old bed sides for a pattern. go to a metal shop or air conditioning shop that has a brake . they probably wouldn't charge much for 20 min worth of work. weld a piece of muffler tubing on the top. sorry I don't have pics but there are some good pics on stovebolt of a guys bed project

02-22-2016, 05:08 PM	#5
solidaxel Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Cactus Patch So. Az Posts: 4,749	Re: How to build bedsides for AD Just use my index finger and called Mar-K !! __________________ 53 TuTone Extended Cab 350 4-Spd 3:08 (SOLD) 53 Chevy Moldy pearl green ZZ-4 4L60E 9" 3:25 55 GMC 1st Black Mll (ZZ4) ZZ6 TKO 600 5 sp 3:73 62 Solidaxle Corvette Roman Red (327 340hp 4spd 3:36) C4 & C5 suspension tube chassis LS 3 4L70E 65 Corvette Coupe 327 350hp 4spd 4:11 78 Black Silverado SWB (350/350) 5.3 & 4L60E 3:42 2000 S-Type 3.0 (wife cruiser) 2003 GMC SCSB 5.3 4L60E 3:42

02-22-2016, 06:09 PM	#6
47 Fasttoys Registered User Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Westminster, SC Posts: 933	Re: How to build bedsides for AD Built mine on my AD, as in Art Deco. I did as others had mentioned, I had some 16 ga. sheet steel cut the proper lenght, had a 1/2 inch 90 degree bend put in the lower edge and a 55 degree (if I remember correctly) in the opposite direction. To this I welded a 1 1/2 pipe I got from an exhaust shop to the top for the rolled edge. Both the sides, front and rear pan and are 16ga. For the pockets I used 1 1/2" square tube. A couple of issues to be addressed when building: take your time on the top pipe welding, you don't want to build up to much heat. The only other issue I ran into was finding a shop to make the bend. When I found one it was only $10 to have it bent. Total cost 17 years ago was around $250. On the plus side the factory bed is only around 20ga. so you get some extra strength. Oh yea, I also build the bed on my other AD in my avatar. Anybody can pick up a phone and drop some cash, you can be a assembler or a craftsman. Rob __________________ My '47 C.O.E build Last edited by 47 Fasttoys; 02-22-2016 at 06:16 PM.



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