Goin to a pick n pull yard to pull a bedside off, what tools do you take?

[lbrowne]

I should be able to find a replacement bedside for my rusted passenger bedside at my local pick n pull that's minutes away.

Can I get this off without having to slide the bed back on the truck?

I read about some welds on the back area that you have to break?

[mrolds88]

Yes you can get the bolts out without sliding the bed back. It will take some time and frustrate you some. Ratcheting box end wrenches work well. Especially if they are the offset ones. If you have a cordless sawsall or 4" grinder, you'll need that for the weld right inside the tailgate. I usually leave the top bolt on the front in a couple of threads until I get the weld cut so i doesn't flop on me.

[Gordonr1973]

The welds are on the floor by the rear stake hole post. I think there are 4 spot welds there.

I don't see how you would not have to move the bed back....you have to take out the bolts that go from the front panel into the side panels.

You also need to take the bolts that go all the way under the floor to the bed side panels, not to mention the bolts that go under the wheel well to the side panel.

Easiest to do when it's tipped up or over.

You will also need to break the panel glue that goes around the inside on the bed where the floor meets the side panel.

[Tx Firefighter]

I did it the other day out of necessity. No problems really. Just a bunch of bolts. You can do it with the bed bolted down without too much difficulty.




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[lbrowne]

I won't have power at the yard, so no grinder. Maybe go cordless like one of you said and try that.

So there's bolts along the front side that's facing the cab, some inside the wheel well lip (around the arch) and some must attach the inner fender to the bed and box side...

I'll have to haul mine in and take a closer look. Certainly wouldn't want to get it mostly off and suffer a 'gotcha' while I'm there.

[Tx Firefighter]

Don't sweat the welds. I didn't grind or cut them when I took those bedsides off in the pictures above. Just unbolt them completely and grab the front edge of the bed side and walk backward. As the bedside pivots away from the truck it will pop the welds loose without much difficulty.
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[lbrowne]

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

Don't sweat the welds. I didn't grind or cut them when I took those bedsides off in the pictures above. Just unbolt them completely and grab the front edge of the bed side and walk backward. As the bedside pivots away from the truck it will pop the welds loose without much difficulty.
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Ok sounds like a plan, I'll see what my options are since these are lined up like they're in parking spots. So I would have enough room to swing it out about 3-4 feet. Unless I'm lucky enough that one is on the end with a good bed side lol

So can I use a bedside from the early 70s to 87? Or stick to 81-87 only?

[mrolds88]

Not sure if you need the side with the tank on it, but they went to the fuel door style bedside in 79. Before that they had a round dimple that the filler bolted to, with the cap outside the bedside. Of coarse it doesn't matter if the tank isn't on that side.

[lbrowne]

Originally Posted by mrolds88

Not sure if you need the side with the tank on it, but they went to the fuel door style bedside in 79. Before that they had a round dimple that the filler bolted to, with the cap outside the bedside. Of coarse it doesn't matter if the tank isn't on that side.

Good to know, I have a tank on both sides. Thanks!