HELP.... please

[loujizzel]

I have a question and I have done some research but I'm just curious....has anyone taken their bed apart I've noticed that on the front of my bed that panel has bolts that you can remove and subsequently remove that panel I'm sure it is not as easy as it looks is there any welds holding it in place or can I remove those bolts and remove that panel to replace it

[silverbear]

I took an 86 bed apart back in 1995. The panels are all bolt together. The front panel of the bed fits into an area in the top of the side panels. The front panel "can" be replaced without removing the side panels but it is a pain to get it fit back together properly. It is much easier to remove one of the side panels when attempting to replace the front. The old seam sealer may hang up you a bit when taking the bed apart. Watch out when using an aftermarket front panel as the bolt holes will not always match up. Once they are assembled you go back over the seams with seam sealer to prevent moisture from getting down in the seams and rusting them out.

[hatzie]

Some may have welds around the back stake pockets.

[loujizzel]

Thank you so much....my truck is being painted right now I gave this guy a chance that just came out of school he paint his backyard. And judging by the picture he sends me he's doing a great job

[Gregski]

check out this dude's thread Restoring Rusty I think the bed work starts on thread #1871 he takes it all apart paints it and puts it all back together, lots of pics, cool dude

[byeoficr]

front panel can be removed with the bolts and not removing the sides. the sides are held on the bolts on the front panel, bolts in the wheel well, and the weld on the floor of the bed by the hinge.

[hotrodron]

A little help here how do you get to the top bolt that holds the upper hinge 1978 chevy truck thanks for the help guys

[barry1982]

Hotrodron.....are you talking about the upper door hinge? If so, look under your dash with a trouble light. You will see a rubber plug quite high up on the "kick panel". My truck had a wire running into the center of it. Pop out plug, and reach in with a 9/16" socket with ext. Careful ..... if your socket falls off its gone.....

[tucsonjwt]

The front panel just comes off easily when you remove all of the bolts around the perimeter. I replaced mine with one from the junkyard. The sides panels move around a bit but they stay in place. I used a couple of screwdrivers to hold the front panel in place until I got a few bolts installed.

[hotrodron]

Got the bolts out guys. Because i am putting on new dash pad and gauges. I was abe to get to bolts from the top through the glove box area ,and the left side ac vent. Thanks again ,yes tape the socket to the extension.