Front Bed Panel Swap - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

AcampoDave · 10-31-2021, 06:34 PM

Anyone ever try to it without moving the bed back? I'm gonna change mine if there's not a lot of heavy lifting involved. Thanks

**cwcarpenter98** · 10-31-2021, 10:38 PM

Fleetside?

When I was pulling the bed apart to swap sides on my truck, I had to pretty much remove one side to even think about getting the front off. It was a struggle for me.
The way the bedsides go over the top of the front panel and the front panel sits inside the front bedside flanges on the fleetside make it to where it's easier to just remove one bedside

AcampoDave · 10-31-2021, 10:44 PM

Yes, fleetside. Removing one side is do-able since the bolts are still pretty fresh from re-doing the wood. Thanks

**cwcarpenter98** · 10-31-2021, 10:47 PM

You're welcome! A second helper is extremely nice to have when going back together, especially on a long bed

Edit to add: I left the front panel on when I was doing my swap, but would have been real easy to change that out without moving the whole bed back when I was at this point

AcampoDave · 10-31-2021, 10:55 PM

The pic sums it up pretty well. I got a helper and a soft front lawn to set it down on so I guess I'm good to go.

wizard3354 · 11-02-2021, 07:08 PM

I just did this to mine. After unbolting the bed panel, I removed the bedside Bolts going back to the wheel wells on both sides. This gave me enough wiggle room to pull the front of the besides out, lay the front bed panel down, and then pull it out. Putting the new one in is just the reverse. Hope that helps.

AcampoDave · 11-02-2021, 10:19 PM

^^ that's starting to sound like a one man operation. I'll give it a try. I'm gonna paint it this weekend and we'll see how it goes next weekend after. Thanks

AcampoDave · 11-14-2021, 10:45 PM

Thanks for the replys. I ended up loosening both sides all the way back to just behind the wheel tubs. I also loosened where the tubs rest on the wood and removed the 4 "kickstands" underneath. The sides pulled away easily enough and the tubs being still bolted to the bedsides kept them from falling down. I layed the new panel down flat on the floor and it just lifted right up into place.

**cwcarpenter98** · 11-14-2021, 10:49 PM

Good deal. Thanks for updating us

10-31-2021, 06:34 PM	#1
AcampoDave Registered User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: central California Posts: 2,778	Front Bed Panel Swap Anyone ever try to it without moving the bed back? I'm gonna change mine if there's not a lot of heavy lifting involved. Thanks

10-31-2021, 10:38 PM	#2
cwcarpenter98 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Hickory Flat, GA Posts: 4,491	Re: Front Bed Panel Swap Fleetside? When I was pulling the bed apart to swap sides on my truck, I had to pretty much remove one side to even think about getting the front off. It was a struggle for me. The way the bedsides go over the top of the front panel and the front panel sits inside the front bedside flanges on the fleetside make it to where it's easier to just remove one bedside __________________ Christian Carpenter 1963 C10 - Frankentruck 283, Muncie 3 speed with overdrive Overdrive wiring here 1963-ish truck bed trailer - Half-Wit 1981 C10 - Penny 305, th350 --> Soon to be 350, Saginaw 4 speed 1995 Dodge Dakota Sport "I'll put it simple: if you're going hard enough left, you'll find yourself turning right." - Doc Hudson

10-31-2021, 10:44 PM	#3
AcampoDave Registered User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: central California Posts: 2,778	Re: Front Bed Panel Swap Yes, fleetside. Removing one side is do-able since the bolts are still pretty fresh from re-doing the wood. Thanks

10-31-2021, 10:47 PM	#4
cwcarpenter98 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Hickory Flat, GA Posts: 4,491	Re: Front Bed Panel Swap You're welcome! A second helper is extremely nice to have when going back together, especially on a long bed Edit to add: I left the front panel on when I was doing my swap, but would have been real easy to change that out without moving the whole bed back when I was at this point Attached Images __________________ Christian Carpenter 1963 C10 - Frankentruck 283, Muncie 3 speed with overdrive Overdrive wiring here 1963-ish truck bed trailer - Half-Wit 1981 C10 - Penny 305, th350 --> Soon to be 350, Saginaw 4 speed 1995 Dodge Dakota Sport "I'll put it simple: if you're going hard enough left, you'll find yourself turning right." - Doc Hudson

10-31-2021, 10:55 PM	#5
AcampoDave Registered User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: central California Posts: 2,778	Re: Front Bed Panel Swap The pic sums it up pretty well. I got a helper and a soft front lawn to set it down on so I guess I'm good to go.

11-02-2021, 07:08 PM	#6
wizard3354 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Columbus, IN Posts: 5	Re: Front Bed Panel Swap I just did this to mine. After unbolting the bed panel, I removed the bedside Bolts going back to the wheel wells on both sides. This gave me enough wiggle room to pull the front of the besides out, lay the front bed panel down, and then pull it out. Putting the new one in is just the reverse. Hope that helps.

11-02-2021, 10:19 PM	#7
AcampoDave Registered User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: central California Posts: 2,778	Re: Front Bed Panel Swap ^^ that's starting to sound like a one man operation. I'll give it a try. I'm gonna paint it this weekend and we'll see how it goes next weekend after. Thanks

11-14-2021, 10:45 PM	#8
AcampoDave Registered User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: central California Posts: 2,778	Re: Front Bed Panel Swap Thanks for the replys. I ended up loosening both sides all the way back to just behind the wheel tubs. I also loosened where the tubs rest on the wood and removed the 4 "kickstands" underneath. The sides pulled away easily enough and the tubs being still bolted to the bedsides kept them from falling down. I layed the new panel down flat on the floor and it just lifted right up into place.

11-14-2021, 10:49 PM	#9
cwcarpenter98 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Hickory Flat, GA Posts: 4,491	Re: Front Bed Panel Swap Good deal. Thanks for updating us __________________ Christian Carpenter 1963 C10 - Frankentruck 283, Muncie 3 speed with overdrive Overdrive wiring here 1963-ish truck bed trailer - Half-Wit 1981 C10 - Penny 305, th350 --> Soon to be 350, Saginaw 4 speed 1995 Dodge Dakota Sport "I'll put it simple: if you're going hard enough left, you'll find yourself turning right." - Doc Hudson

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