Re-Positioning of Fleetside Truck Bed

[C10 - C90 Bill]

My '72 C-10 Longbed Fleetside recently got hit in the left rear, behind the rear wheel (driver went thru red light). Besides the obvious damage, I noticed that the front of the bed is now not lined up with the cab. It is about 1/2 Inch over more that it should be. My question is, if I loosen all the bolts would there be enough play to move it back over before I re-tighten them again?

Thanks

[RustyPile]

Originally Posted by C10 - C90 Bill

My '72 C-10 Longbed Fleetside recently got hit in the left rear, behind the rear wheel (driver went thru red light). Besides the obvious damage, I noticed that the front of the bed is now not lined up with the cab. It is about 1/2 Inch over more that it should be. My question is, if I loosen all the bolts would there be enough play to move it back over before I re-tighten them again?

Thanks

The misaligned bed is the least of your worries. The frame is probably bent.. The other driver's insurance should take care of any damage to your vehicle.

[C10 - C90 Bill]

Originally Posted by RustyPile

The misaligned bed is the least of your worries. The frame is probably bent.. The other driver's insurance should take care of any damage to your vehicle.

Although possible, I doubt I have any frame problems, although we will find out in time. I believe the bed just got jolted over a bit. And yes, her insurance will cover all the damages and so far so good, they are being very co-operative.

[RustyPile]

Originally Posted by C10 - C90 Bill

Although possible, I doubt I have any frame problems, although we will find out in time. I believe the bed just got jolted over a bit. And yes, her insurance will cover all the damages and so far so good, they are being very co-operative.

What does the body shop say??

[C10 - C90 Bill]

Originally Posted by RustyPile

What does the body shop say??

He hasn't seen it yet, but will be soon. He will be doing some of the work, I'll be doing the rest myself.

[sick472]

Loosening the bed bolts and trying to shift it is definitely worth a try. I would make sure that it does not compromise the insurance pay out before I did, however.

I doubt that a truck bed has a full inch of slop, meaning...a half inch to the left of center plus a half inch to the right of center, but depending on where your bed is compared to the overall slop, you could get it to move the 1/2" you need.

[C10 - C90 Bill]

Originally Posted by sick472

Loosening the bed bolts and trying to shift it is definitely worth a try. I would make sure that it does not compromise the insurance pay out before I did, however.

I doubt that a truck bed has a full inch of slop, meaning...a half inch to the left of center plus a half inch to the right of center, but depending on where your bed is compared to the overall slop, you could get it to move the 1/2" you need.

I'm just planning ahead after the insurance pay out as well as writing out a claim sheet on what needs to be done. Actually a 1/2 Inch over total is all I would need. The left side is about 1/2 Inch too far out, where the right side is about 1/2 Inch too far in. It may even be just 3/8's.

[Grumpy old man]

Don't take it back from the body shop before it's been checked on a frame machine , DON'T settle with them until it's fixed , Insurance companies are always quick to offer a check when they know it's gonna cost them a lot more than they are offering . Just straightening the bed won't make it drive down the road straight and if it's bent you'll be buying tires faster than your last girlfriend dumped you !

[TALLone71]

a lot of good advice in this post,can you post us some pictures to see how bad the damage is overall.i agree to make sure everything is ok with a shop of your choice, another thought is how rusty the bed mounting bolts may be where they pass through the cross sills, I have seen them where they looked ok on the top side and where all but corroded away where they pass through the lower side.that may have allowed them to give and let the bed shift slightly to one side, just something else to check. either which way make sure its good in every way, before you settle, its amazing how far collision damage can reach into a vehicle and be hidden from the eye

[C10 - C90 Bill]

Appreciate all the replies.

[rickcdewitt]

If the bed actually shifted on the frame you'll be able to crawl underneath and see marks on the bed ribs where it used to sit

[MySons68C20]

Originally Posted by rickcdewitt

If the bed actually shifted on the frame you'll be able to crawl underneath and see marks on the bed ribs where it used to sit

Best advice....look for witness marks. It may be that simple.