Wood bed removal and install

[CS65]

Im looking for any pics or info on removing the bed and replaceing the wood in the bed. Im going to replace the wood and while im that far gonna put a fuel tank behind the rear axle and get it out of the cab. Hopeing someone may have pics of the bed install. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[theastronaut]

Here's some pics of my bed floor work. It's pretty simple to remove the old wood and strips, start from the center and work out. The bolts can be hard to remove if they're rusted. I used an impact gun and extension to twist off the rusted ones.







Test fit the wood around the fenderwells and mark for trimming.







The edges of the outer boards need to be marked and drilled for the perimeter bolts.





Once it's all trimmed, do a final test fit before painting or staining the boards. Start with the four short outer boards and work inward. Make sure the boards are the right width- too wide and the bolts for the strips won't fit through, and too narrow and the strips won't fit correctly. Check for even length of all the boards as well.




If everything fits then you're ready for sanding and finishing.




Then install the boards and strips in the bed for the final time.

[rockdogg2020]

Like the wood color
Posted via Mobile Device

[glos55]

Originally Posted by rockdogg2020

Like the wood color
Posted via Mobile Device

Me too!! They don't all have to look like a bowling alley

[GMR-PERFORMANCE]

I just completed mine and I found that to leave the outer bolts loose and not fully tighten the strips as you work inward will allow a little play can be helpful. My mark k boards where pretty straight .. nothing worse than having to go back and loosen boards and start over..
I started from one side and work in about 1/4 of the way then started on the other side and worked in, then finished the center. Watch your gaps and make sure the strips are dropping down.

[GMC Jester]

I had to use a grinder to get my bolts up. it was baaaaad. the wood was so rotted I just smashed the more solid sections (between supports) and then pulled up the peices with a pry bar. I have to use the grinder to cut the big (wood) bolts up and then the smaller bolts holding in the metal strips after all the wood pieces were out.
my bed:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=542185

[elleka]

What are those 3 pieces of sheet metal going down the length of the bed? Exhaust heat reflectors? Don't have those on my truck.

[theastronaut]

Originally Posted by elleka

What are those 3 pieces of sheet metal going down the length of the bed? Exhaust heat reflectors? Don't have those on my truck.

That's the cart the bed is sitting on. It's not mounted on the truck frame.

[elleka]

Duh, I can see it now. Thanks.