Stupid Bed Bolts - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Turbo85GMC · 06-09-2009, 11:58 AM

I'm trying to take my bed off for a c-notch install, and out of the 8 bed bolts, 4 of them spun. I was able to get 2 of the spinning ones with vice grips on the heads up top. Now I'm stuck with the last 2 up near the cab on the driver's side. I cut slots in the heads to hold them with a big screw driver from the top, but the screw driver wouldn't hold. I don't have a welder or I'd just weld a big nut on the top and use a breaker bar.

Unless anyone has any bright ideas, I think I'm down to just drilling out the head and punching them down. That should at least let me get the bed off in one piece.

When I go to put the bed back on, does anyone have suggestions on how to repair the "rounded" holes in the bed floor? Do I need to have some washers with square holes welded to the bed floor? Or do they make bed bolts with like an allen hole in the top?

flamingbig10 · 06-09-2009, 12:04 PM

drilling out the heads and welding the bolts to the bed floor is what I would do

babyJay · 06-09-2009, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flamingbig10

drilling out the heads and welding the bolts to the bed floor is what I would do

I think I have used a 3 inch angle grinder on them. You can pick those up cheap at Harbor Frieght if you need it quickly.

MylilBowTie · 06-09-2009, 02:01 PM

If you are able use a sawzall or cutoff tool and cut the bed bolts from the underside. That will save the bed floor from getting messed up.

babyJay · 06-09-2009, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MylilBowTie

If you are able use a sawzall or cutoff tool and cut the bed bolts from the underside. That will save the bed floor from getting messed up.

I agree, because if you use the grinder you will likely slip a little and get into the bed.

boxrodz · 06-09-2009, 03:12 PM

Take your vice grips and hold the the bolt shank near the end of the bolt (opposite of the head of the bolt) from underneath the truck. Then, you should be able to loosen the nut (without the head stripping).

Depending upon the type of finish you're after, I'd probably partially fill the rounded holes with weld, smooth them and then file them square.

*78 Chevyrado* · 06-09-2009, 09:27 PM

I just tacked mine bolt heads to the floor and unscrewed them. It wasn't a problem so we just left them tacked in place and did all the body work and bedliner and then set the bed back on there without ever removing the bolts from the bed floor. some of them are still welded in there now.

80chevyshortbox · 06-09-2009, 09:50 PM

when we took my box off i think we just grinded them to. but i dont rember.

**old Rusty C10** · 06-09-2009, 09:51 PM

i used a dremel with the cutoff wheels on the nuts and a hammer and chisel to knock off the nuts and thats how i got the bed off the 76

*72lb4x4* · 06-09-2009, 10:33 PM

You might try tightening them until they shear off...

tgh117 · 06-10-2009, 09:05 AM

You could also weld nuts to the top of the bed bolt, then you have something to hold on to.

red caddy · 06-10-2009, 11:23 AM

The last time I fought the "bed bolt" battle, I just welded a piece of 1/4" X 1 " scrap flat bar (on edge) to the spinning bolts heads and spun the nuts off. The (useta be) square holes needed weld repair, but that's much easier with the bed off and standing on end... Paul.

Turbo85GMC · 06-10-2009, 11:38 AM

Thanks for all the ideas. Sounds like however I get the bolts out I'll need to weld up the bed. I'm finding myself more and more frequently saying "I wish I had a welder to do xxxxx." Maybe it's time to spring for one.

glock35ipsc · 06-10-2009, 11:43 AM

Some of the weld this or that ideas are great, but he doesn't have a welder.

Getting the old ones off; if you can borrow a sawzall or a body saw, try to cut the bolt from the bottom side. Can you grab the bolt with vice grips from underneath, then try to get the nut off? Are you using an impact or an air ratchet or just hand tools? If you already made one slice in the head, make another slice 90 degrees across it. The head should pop off real easy then. Obvious and easy answer is a torch or plasma cutter if you know some one that has one.

New bolts; use smaller ID washer and hand file the hole square. Or you can buy long hex socket button head cap screws:

and use a flat washer under them. Or if you don't care to be as close to correct as possible, just use regular hex head bolts.

bumslie75 · 06-10-2009, 07:31 PM

i tacked them to the bed then just took the nut off

06-09-2009, 11:58 AM	#1
Turbo85GMC Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Medford, MA Posts: 307	Stupid Bed Bolts I'm trying to take my bed off for a c-notch install, and out of the 8 bed bolts, 4 of them spun. I was able to get 2 of the spinning ones with vice grips on the heads up top. Now I'm stuck with the last 2 up near the cab on the driver's side. I cut slots in the heads to hold them with a big screw driver from the top, but the screw driver wouldn't hold. I don't have a welder or I'd just weld a big nut on the top and use a breaker bar. Unless anyone has any bright ideas, I think I'm down to just drilling out the head and punching them down. That should at least let me get the bed off in one piece. When I go to put the bed back on, does anyone have suggestions on how to repair the "rounded" holes in the bed floor? Do I need to have some washers with square holes welded to the bed floor? Or do they make bed bolts with like an allen hole in the top? __________________ '85 GMC 1500 "Friends don't let friends drive stock!"

06-09-2009, 12:04 PM	#2
flamingbig10 6.0 powered square Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Mesquite texas Posts: 3,459	Re: Stupid Bed Bolts drilling out the heads and welding the bolts to the bed floor is what I would do __________________ Aaron 1980 c-10 short bed lowered, cammed 6.0, 4l80e 3600 stall, smp tune, wilwoods, and flames best time so far best et 7.86 @87 on motor 7.57 90 on a 75 shot Build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=283326

06-09-2009, 02:01 PM	#4
MylilBowTie Right turn Clyde Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 2,911	Re: Stupid Bed Bolts If you are able use a sawzall or cutoff tool and cut the bed bolts from the underside. That will save the bed floor from getting messed up. __________________ 1974 C25 LWB: 454 4bbl Carb / TH400 / 3.73 1992 Camaro RS 305 TBI

06-09-2009, 03:12 PM	#6
boxrodz Until Seventy Times Seven Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Rocky Mountain Front Range Posts: 1,301	Re: Stupid Bed Bolts Take your vice grips and hold the the bolt shank near the end of the bolt (opposite of the head of the bolt) from underneath the truck. Then, you should be able to loosen the nut (without the head stripping). Depending upon the type of finish you're after, I'd probably partially fill the rounded holes with weld, smooth them and then file them square. __________________ boxRODz 1983 C10 SWB Fleetside When two halves is gone, there's nuthin left. Two nothings is nuthin. That's mathematics son. You can argue with me but you can't argue with figures. Two half nothings is a whole nuthin...

06-09-2009, 09:27 PM	#7
78 Chevyrado Account Suspended Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Unnapreciative, Trollville Posts: 2,079	Re: Stupid Bed Bolts I just tacked mine bolt heads to the floor and unscrewed them. It wasn't a problem so we just left them tacked in place and did all the body work and bedliner and then set the bed back on there without ever removing the bolts from the bed floor. some of them are still welded in there now.

06-09-2009, 09:50 PM	#8
80chevyshortbox Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: lethbridge Posts: 269	Re: Stupid Bed Bolts when we took my box off i think we just grinded them to. but i dont rember.

06-09-2009, 09:51 PM	#9
old Rusty C10 Robert Olson Transport Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: recent transplant to NC USA Posts: 20,310	Re: Stupid Bed Bolts i used a dremel with the cutoff wheels on the nuts and a hammer and chisel to knock off the nuts and thats how i got the bed off the 76 __________________ 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!!

06-09-2009, 10:33 PM	#10
72lb4x4 Account Suspended Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: DFW Posts: 1,427	Re: Stupid Bed Bolts You might try tightening them until they shear off...

06-10-2009, 09:05 AM	#11
tgh117 Crazy Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Emmaus, Pa Posts: 203	Re: Stupid Bed Bolts You could also weld nuts to the top of the bed bolt, then you have something to hold on to. __________________ 77 SB Stepside in a bunch of pieces scattered around the garage.

06-10-2009, 11:23 AM	#12
red caddy Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Venice Florida Posts: 83	Re: Stupid Bed Bolts The last time I fought the "bed bolt" battle, I just welded a piece of 1/4" X 1 " scrap flat bar (on edge) to the spinning bolts heads and spun the nuts off. The (useta be) square holes needed weld repair, but that's much easier with the bed off and standing on end... Paul.

06-10-2009, 11:38 AM	#13
Turbo85GMC Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Medford, MA Posts: 307	Re: Stupid Bed Bolts Thanks for all the ideas. Sounds like however I get the bolts out I'll need to weld up the bed. I'm finding myself more and more frequently saying "I wish I had a welder to do xxxxx." Maybe it's time to spring for one. __________________ '85 GMC 1500 "Friends don't let friends drive stock!"

06-10-2009, 11:43 AM	#14
glock35ipsc Next project: 1970 K10 Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Fort Collins, Colo 80524 Posts: 6,684	Re: Stupid Bed Bolts Some of the weld this or that ideas are great, but he doesn't have a welder. Getting the old ones off; if you can borrow a sawzall or a body saw, try to cut the bolt from the bottom side. Can you grab the bolt with vice grips from underneath, then try to get the nut off? Are you using an impact or an air ratchet or just hand tools? If you already made one slice in the head, make another slice 90 degrees across it. The head should pop off real easy then. Obvious and easy answer is a torch or plasma cutter if you know some one that has one. New bolts; use smaller ID washer and hand file the hole square. Or you can buy long hex socket button head cap screws: and use a flat washer under them. Or if you don't care to be as close to correct as possible, just use regular hex head bolts. __________________ *Bob* 1970 Chevy K10 LWB "Goldie" 350/TH350 *next project!!* 1981 Chevy C10 LWB 355/TH350 - My son's truck LS SWAP FORUM! Tons of LS swap info here! PLEASE CLICK HERE TO SUPPORT THE GREATEST BOARD ON THE NET! CLICK HERE FOR THE FAQ INDEX by KRUE

06-10-2009, 07:31 PM	#15
bumslie75 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Reedley Ca Posts: 360	Re: Stupid Bed Bolts i tacked them to the bed then just took the nut off

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