Welding in a bed floor? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Muney · 04-07-2011, 06:02 PM

I have a quick question, I am having a little trouble locating a decent 8 ft. bed to replace my bed that I cut a hole in for the step notches to come through, I was thinking about buying 2 of the patch panels and welding them in, instead of searching for a whole new bed. My question is how much of a pain in the ass is it to weld them in? Do I need to worry about the bed being weak? Should I brace it underneath with anything?

Muney · 04-08-2011, 05:36 PM

noone has welded in a bed floor panel??

RandyP · 04-08-2011, 06:01 PM

I thought the bedsides on the 73-87 only had a few places that it was welded, otherwise it is a bolt in ordeal.

VegasBruce · 04-08-2011, 07:43 PM

How much do you have cut out? If all the factory bracing is there, just burn it in like any other patch panel. If the bracing is cut out you need to put that back first.

**old Rusty C10** · 04-08-2011, 08:19 PM

years ago i had a b ed in my back yard and the neighbors started whining about it so i took it apart and stored it in pieces.. the only welds were two tack welds in the bottom by the tailgate... I woul put the patch panel under the bed and weld from the top . if its in between the braces where y oure replacing it it wont make the bed weaker

Muney · 04-08-2011, 10:17 PM

I'm sorry I didn't explain myself good enough. I cut my bed from wheel well to wheel well in order for my rear suspension to be able to raise through the bed. I have since changed my mind and decided to do a stock looking raised bed floor, I don't have the piece I cut out, so I want to buy new patches but I'm worried that the bed won't be strong when I weld it in.
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mooseknuckles · 04-08-2011, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Muney

I'm sorry I didn't explain myself good enough. I cut my bed from wheel well to wheel well in order for my rear suspension to be able to raise through the bed. I have since changed my mind and decided to do a stock looking raised bed floor, I don't have the piece I cut out, so I want to buy new patches but I'm worried that the bed won't be strong when I weld it in.
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I think it should be ok....you could allways do a wood bed floor?

VegasBruce · 04-08-2011, 10:55 PM

Yeah, just weld it up like any other patch panel.

James McClure · 04-09-2011, 08:49 AM

A word to the wise, so listen up. Be EXTREMELY CAUTIOUS WHEN WELDING\TORCH CUTTING ANY METAL THAT IS GALVANIZED!!!! The coating is zink and our bodies use this heavy metal BUT, the yellow\blue smoke given off when burning or welding is DEADLY!! It causes all sorts of pulminary problems and is known for sure to cause cancer in humans. If you have to cut, use a sawsall or some other type of cutter. If you weld, grind the stuff off. It's clearly visible when it's gone. ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS wear a GOOD respirator whenever you work with any galvanized product. jim

DetroitIron · 04-09-2011, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James McClure

A word to the wise, so listen up. Be EXTREMELY CAUTIOUS WHEN WELDING\TORCH CUTTING ANY METAL THAT IS GALVANIZED!!!! The coating is zink and our bodies use this heavy metal BUT, the yellow\blue smoke given off when burning or welding is DEADLY!! It causes all sorts of pulminary problems and is known for sure to cause cancer in humans. If you have to cut, use a sawsall or some other type of cutter. If you weld, grind the stuff off. It's clearly visible when it's gone. ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS wear a GOOD respirator whenever you work with any galvanized product. jim

Thanks for the great reminder.
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Muney · 04-09-2011, 09:17 PM

Galvanize also gives a killer headache, but if you drink milk it takes it away
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04-07-2011, 06:02 PM	#1
Muney Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Maryland Posts: 47	Welding in a bed floor? I have a quick question, I am having a little trouble locating a decent 8 ft. bed to replace my bed that I cut a hole in for the step notches to come through, I was thinking about buying 2 of the patch panels and welding them in, instead of searching for a whole new bed. My question is how much of a pain in the ass is it to weld them in? Do I need to worry about the bed being weak? Should I brace it underneath with anything?

04-08-2011, 05:36 PM	#2
Muney Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Maryland Posts: 47	Re: Welding in a bed floor? noone has welded in a bed floor panel??

04-08-2011, 06:01 PM	#3
RandyP Getting Old; Going Broke Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Owasso OK Posts: 2,764	Re: Welding in a bed floor? I thought the bedsides on the 73-87 only had a few places that it was welded, otherwise it is a bolt in ordeal. __________________ *Why is every used 350 sbc out of a corvette?* There's only two things that excite a man, expensive toys and real expensive toys. *VEGETARIAN: That's an old Indian word meaning "I don't hunt so good."* When the going gets tough, switch to power tools.

04-08-2011, 07:43 PM	#4
VegasBruce Registered User Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Just outside Sin City Posts: 239	Re: Welding in a bed floor? How much do you have cut out? If all the factory bracing is there, just burn it in like any other patch panel. If the bracing is cut out you need to put that back first. __________________ Bruce 73 Stepside, 74 Blazer, 75 1 Ton, 66 Barracuda and a 05 Electraglide DD http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g1...Rusti192-1.jpg

04-08-2011, 08:19 PM	#5
old Rusty C10 Robert Olson Transport Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: recent transplant to NC USA Posts: 20,310	Re: Welding in a bed floor? years ago i had a b ed in my back yard and the neighbors started whining about it so i took it apart and stored it in pieces.. the only welds were two tack welds in the bottom by the tailgate... I woul put the patch panel under the bed and weld from the top . if its in between the braces where y oure replacing it it wont make the bed weaker __________________ Bob 1951 International running on a squarebody chassis "If a man's worth is judged by the people he associates himself with, then i am the richest man in the world knowing some of the fine people of this board" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...t.php?f=25&a=9 (you can review the site rules here!) PM Me for your vehicle/parts hauling needs in the North East US or see my Facebook page Robert Olson Transport Live each day to the fullest.. you never know when fate is going to pull the rug out from under you... I hate cancer!!

04-08-2011, 10:17 PM	#6
Muney Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Maryland Posts: 47	Re: Welding in a bed floor? I'm sorry I didn't explain myself good enough. I cut my bed from wheel well to wheel well in order for my rear suspension to be able to raise through the bed. I have since changed my mind and decided to do a stock looking raised bed floor, I don't have the piece I cut out, so I want to buy new patches but I'm worried that the bed won't be strong when I weld it in. Posted via Mobile Device

04-08-2011, 10:55 PM	#8
VegasBruce Registered User Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Just outside Sin City Posts: 239	Re: Welding in a bed floor? Yeah, just weld it up like any other patch panel. __________________ Bruce 73 Stepside, 74 Blazer, 75 1 Ton, 66 Barracuda and a 05 Electraglide DD http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g1...Rusti192-1.jpg

04-09-2011, 08:49 AM	#9
James McClure One shot, one kill. Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Saratoga Springs NY Posts: 859	Re: Welding in a bed floor? A word to the wise, so listen up. Be EXTREMELY CAUTIOUS WHEN WELDING\TORCH CUTTING ANY METAL THAT IS GALVANIZED!!!! The coating is zink and our bodies use this heavy metal BUT, the yellow\blue smoke given off when burning or welding is DEADLY!! It causes all sorts of pulminary problems and is known for sure to cause cancer in humans. If you have to cut, use a sawsall or some other type of cutter. If you weld, grind the stuff off. It's clearly visible when it's gone. ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS wear a GOOD respirator whenever you work with any galvanized product. jim __________________ 1984 K20 350M engine with 465,000 miles. Well, it's finally done!! Almost 2 years of work, but it was really worth the effort. Little stuff left to do is mount winch, wet sand & buff out and build belly pan\running boards. Body work takes lots and LOTS of beer!!!! God, Guts and Guns made America and God, Guts and Guns will preserve it! The worst thing you could do is get into my sights, but that don't matter, you'll never know it, cause you'll never hear the shotJim or Paladin whichever you choose.

04-09-2011, 09:17 PM	#11
Muney Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Maryland Posts: 47	Re: Welding in a bed floor? Galvanize also gives a killer headache, but if you drink milk it takes it away Posted via Mobile Device



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