Step side bed wear strips - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**JIMs70GMC** · 10-19-2016, 07:21 PM

So i disassembled the 1986 8' stepside bed i purchased last weekend to get it ready for some new wood and hardware. I was expecting the same type of construction as the bed on my 70. Boy was I wrong, the angles welded to the bed sides have studs vice carriage bolts. I figured ok, I can work with that. Then while removing the "square nuts" holding the bed wear strips in between each board I find they are studs too. Again not carriage bolts. I mention this because my 70 bed has all carriage bolts holding the wood in place.

The issue, some of the studs broke off while I was attempting to remove the nuts. From what I can tell, all the "bed bolt kits" include carriage bolts and not studs i can press in. What have you all done? I don't want to buy new strips since the ones I have are solid. Here are some pics, sorry for the poor light.

Gmc.guy · 10-19-2016, 11:22 PM

I have put the strips upside down on some blocks of wood and put a socket on the back over the head of the stud and tap it out backwards. They usually pop right out but a little bit of heat will help pop them out without bending the strip. Then I had the round holes on the original strips punched out square at a welding shop for 50$ or so I think. The side strips I drilled the spot welds to the sides and drilled the heads off the bolts and had them punched out square as well

**JIMs70GMC** · 10-20-2016, 06:38 AM

Dreading that, but I am going to see if I can find a square punch. Thanks Cody.

Gmc.guy · 10-20-2016, 08:48 AM

Maybe some button head bolts without the square shoulder would work. But at least with the square holes it would be easier to work with next time

10-19-2016, 07:21 PM	#1
JIMs70GMC user # 2756 Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Chesapeake, Virginia Posts: 4,612	Step side bed wear strips So i disassembled the 1986 8' stepside bed i purchased last weekend to get it ready for some new wood and hardware. I was expecting the same type of construction as the bed on my 70. Boy was I wrong, the angles welded to the bed sides have studs vice carriage bolts. I figured ok, I can work with that. Then while removing the "square nuts" holding the bed wear strips in between each board I find they are studs too. Again not carriage bolts. I mention this because my 70 bed has all carriage bolts holding the wood in place. The issue, some of the studs broke off while I was attempting to remove the nuts. From what I can tell, all the "bed bolt kits" include carriage bolts and not studs i can press in. What have you all done? I don't want to buy new strips since the ones I have are solid. Here are some pics, sorry for the poor light. Attached Images __________________ 1970 K25, 8' stepside bed 350/465/205 44 up front, 60 in the rear 4.10s rolling on 33" Dunlop MTs 1986 K5, 350/465/208 Dana 60/14 bolt from a cucv 36" Super Swampers TSL/SX 1983 K20 w/ CUCV axles, 350/700R4/208 sitting on 37" Goodyears 1986 M1031 6.2 diesel, TH400/NP205 locker in the rear and a LS in the front, all stock for now..... 1986 K30, 350/400/205 dana 60 and 14 bolt. I kept the drivetrain. Body/bad and chassis are gone. 1981 K30, 350/465/205 dana 60 and dually 14 bolt. Has a G80, and a flat bed. Going to replace the flat bed. 1985 K20, 350/400/208 10 bolt and SF 14 bolt. I wonder where I can find some 1 tons. Hmmmmm

10-19-2016, 11:22 PM	#2
Gmc.guy Registered User Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Alberta Posts: 464	Re: Step side bed wear strips I have put the strips upside down on some blocks of wood and put a socket on the back over the head of the stud and tap it out backwards. They usually pop right out but a little bit of heat will help pop them out without bending the strip. Then I had the round holes on the original strips punched out square at a welding shop for 50$ or so I think. The side strips I drilled the spot welds to the sides and drilled the heads off the bolts and had them punched out square as well __________________ -Cody

10-20-2016, 06:38 AM	#3
JIMs70GMC user # 2756 Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Chesapeake, Virginia Posts: 4,612	Re: Step side bed wear strips Dreading that, but I am going to see if I can find a square punch. Thanks Cody. __________________ 1970 K25, 8' stepside bed 350/465/205 44 up front, 60 in the rear 4.10s rolling on 33" Dunlop MTs 1986 K5, 350/465/208 Dana 60/14 bolt from a cucv 36" Super Swampers TSL/SX 1983 K20 w/ CUCV axles, 350/700R4/208 sitting on 37" Goodyears 1986 M1031 6.2 diesel, TH400/NP205 locker in the rear and a LS in the front, all stock for now..... 1986 K30, 350/400/205 dana 60 and 14 bolt. I kept the drivetrain. Body/bad and chassis are gone. 1981 K30, 350/465/205 dana 60 and dually 14 bolt. Has a G80, and a flat bed. Going to replace the flat bed. 1985 K20, 350/400/208 10 bolt and SF 14 bolt. I wonder where I can find some 1 tons. Hmmmmm

10-20-2016, 08:48 AM	#4
Gmc.guy Registered User Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Alberta Posts: 464	Re: Step side bed wear strips Maybe some button head bolts without the square shoulder would work. But at least with the square holes it would be easier to work with next time __________________ -Cody



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