having problem with short bed - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Drobny · 10-14-2007, 10:48 PM

I am having trouble getting the bed off my 70' shortbed. As usuale in minnesota everthing is rusted, i got the nuts loose, but now the bolts just spin. the bed is metal so i can't take a hammer and crowbar to it like i did with my 3/4 ton, anyway i am doing this alone, so does anybody have any ideas.
pat

Cyclone44 · 10-14-2007, 10:55 PM

air cut off tools...If you have access to them they work great..George

classicchev · 10-14-2007, 10:57 PM

I usually grind the heads off the carraige bolt that is in thetop of the floor. Works everytime for me, and Im usually working alone.

67_C-30 · 10-14-2007, 10:59 PM

Yep. I've got to where I just go ahead and grind them of regardless if they've never been off before. It keeps from ruining the square holes in the bed floor from the carriage bolts spinning.

**too much stuff** · 10-14-2007, 11:06 PM

I can't believe you found rust in minnesota! If you have a welder, set a nut on top of the bolt head and weld it on so you can put a socket on it and a wrench down below. Another thing you can try is to cut a slot in top and try to use a screwdriver. Not the best method, but may work. Living in MN, i usually just tighten the bolts until they snap off. Good luck, Eric

Luvlegs · 10-15-2007, 07:50 AM

It was a pain by myself but I put a wrench on the bottom then hit the head with a drill bit (like tightening them up until the snapped) - they did one of two things - either they snapped right off or, as soon as the head was loosed from the bolt, the head started up the drill bit - it took about two hours alone but I didn't mess up a single square hole. Remember, it's a hobby so you can't curse while your doing it, it's fun right... hahahahah

71Rat · 10-15-2007, 06:10 PM

another idea is go to sears and get a nut splitter and crack off the bottom nuts, grinding is good but messy and you have to be careful. a torch from the bottom would also work, just be careful

1969k10stepside · 10-15-2007, 08:37 PM

I just get under mine with the torch and heat them up and cut the bolt off...haven't put any holes in anything yet and I've done 4 trucks recently like that.

Drobny · 10-15-2007, 08:49 PM

i plan on turning it into a 3/4 ton flatbed, so i don't care if i ruin the bed.
pat

MT1972cheyenne · 10-15-2007, 08:53 PM

The easiest way by far is to just tighten them until they break off! This is easiest with a 1/2" impact gun and a 6 point socket. Works great!

Drobny · 10-19-2007, 06:24 PM

i don't have access to air ttols or know anybody with them evrything has to be done with muscle, i'm heading up this weekend to work on it more. after last time i just want to take X-pounds of C4 to the bed.
pat

Drobny · 10-19-2007, 06:27 PM

this weekend i am going to try a saws all or C4
pat

MT1972cheyenne · 10-19-2007, 09:55 PM

just arm yourself with a ratchet and a length of pipe maybe 2 feet long to add to the handle. You can break them off by tightening them WAY easier than using a sawzall. But you will need to use the sawsall on the ones that you loosened already.

67_C-30 · 10-19-2007, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MT1972cheyenne

just arm yourself with a ratchet and a length of pipe maybe 2 feet long to add to the handle. You can break them off by tightening them WAY easier than using a sawzall. But you will need to use the sawsall on the ones that you loosened already.

He's not going to be able to break them off if the square part of the carriage bolt is spinning in the bed floor. You don't need air tools. Just go buy you a cheap electric grinder if you don't have one.

MT1972cheyenne · 10-20-2007, 12:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 67_C-30

He's not going to be able to break them off if the square part of the carriage bolt is spinning in the bed floor. You don't need air tools. Just go buy you a cheap electric grinder if you don't have one.

The square part of the carriage bolts wont spin in the floorboard if the bolts aren't loosened.

wibilly · 10-20-2007, 12:38 AM

bring it over i'll take it off for you, i need another one anyway

Drobny · 10-25-2007, 11:32 PM

i tried a 18 volt cordless sawsall, i tied to cut the cross membersthat attach the bed to the frame, but no luck so i am going to try a cutting tourch.
pat

cstm68 · 10-26-2007, 01:47 AM

cut an X in the top of the bolt and chisle it off !

10-14-2007, 10:48 PM	#1
Drobny Hunting is Life Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Buffalo,MN Posts: 115	having problem with short bed I am having trouble getting the bed off my 70' shortbed. As usuale in minnesota everthing is rusted, i got the nuts loose, but now the bolts just spin. the bed is metal so i can't take a hammer and crowbar to it like i did with my 3/4 ton, anyway i am doing this alone, so does anybody have any ideas. pat __________________ 1970 GMC K-1500 4x4 292 I-6 3 on the tree-prodject truck 1971GMC 2500 2wd 350-v8 sm465 4spd-parts truck 2005 Ford Ranger 4.0/5spd auto 4x4 extended cab--everyday driver bought new

10-14-2007, 10:55 PM	#2
Cyclone44 Step Brother Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: K-town Posts: 4,029	Re: having problem with short bed air cut off tools...If you have access to them they work great..George

10-14-2007, 10:57 PM	#3
classicchev Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Calgary Alberta Posts: 1,936	Re: having problem with short bed I usually grind the heads off the carraige bolt that is in thetop of the floor. Works everytime for me, and Im usually working alone. __________________ 67- 72 Parts collecter

10-14-2007, 10:59 PM	#4
67_C-30 I have a radical idea! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Sweet Home Alabama! Posts: 6,513	Re: having problem with short bed Yep. I've got to where I just go ahead and grind them of regardless if they've never been off before. It keeps from ruining the square holes in the bed floor from the carriage bolts spinning. __________________ '67 C-30 Dually Pickup 6.2 Turbo Diesel, NP435 ‘72 C-10 SWB , 350 4bbl, TH350 '69 C-10 SWB , 250 L6, 3 OTT '69 GMC C3500, dump truck, 351 V6, NP435 '84 M1009 CUCV Military Blazer 67 C-30 Turbodiesel build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=254096 My trucks http://s226.photobucket.com/albums/d...ediafilter=all Member of the 1-Ton Club!

10-14-2007, 11:06 PM	#5
too much stuff Roadtrip! Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Grand Rapids MN Posts: 13,813	Re: having problem with short bed I can't believe you found rust in minnesota! If you have a welder, set a nut on top of the bolt head and weld it on so you can put a socket on it and a wrench down below. Another thing you can try is to cut a slot in top and try to use a screwdriver. Not the best method, but may work. Living in MN, i usually just tighten the bolts until they snap off. Good luck, Eric __________________ 67 gmc custom lwb dakota truck. Sold...And bought back 69 swb 4x4 project (in progress) 70 c-10 lwb texas truck 70 4x4/BB/bkts/posi/tach(retired) 70 swb (wifes) 70 jimmy camper 71 K-5 factory 2wd 71 cheyenne 4x4/tach/posi/ plow rig 71 Cheyenne20 BB, buckets, tach, tilt, 4 speed 72 jimmy CST wyoming rig 72 jimmy Colorado rig 72 lifted texas 4x4 3/4 ton burb 65 fury conv. 383/auto 65 chrysler 300 "L" 413 auto

10-15-2007, 07:50 AM	#6
Luvlegs Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Smith Mountain Lake Virginia Posts: 1,537	Re: having problem with short bed It was a pain by myself but I put a wrench on the bottom then hit the head with a drill bit (like tightening them up until the snapped) - they did one of two things - either they snapped right off or, as soon as the head was loosed from the bolt, the head started up the drill bit - it took about two hours alone but I didn't mess up a single square hole. Remember, it's a hobby so you can't curse while your doing it, it's fun right... hahahahah __________________ "A cat will almost always blink when hit between the eyes with a ball peen hammer" (you don't always have to state the obvious) Wear your PPE! You can eat with false teeth but you can't see with a false eye. 1959 Studebaker Silverhawk 350/400 1972 C10 L6 3OTT 2005 F350 - Built - whew!

10-15-2007, 06:10 PM	#7
71Rat ran out of money Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: northern, NJ Posts: 925	Re: having problem with short bed another idea is go to sears and get a nut splitter and crack off the bottom nuts, grinding is good but messy and you have to be careful. a torch from the bottom would also work, just be careful __________________ Modify everything, leave nothing alone!~

10-15-2007, 08:37 PM	#8
1969k10stepside Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: USA Posts: 21,019	Re: having problem with short bed I just get under mine with the torch and heat them up and cut the bolt off...haven't put any holes in anything yet and I've done 4 trucks recently like that.

10-15-2007, 08:49 PM	#9
Drobny Hunting is Life Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Buffalo,MN Posts: 115	Re: having problem with short bed i plan on turning it into a 3/4 ton flatbed, so i don't care if i ruin the bed. pat __________________ 1970 GMC K-1500 4x4 292 I-6 3 on the tree-prodject truck 1971GMC 2500 2wd 350-v8 sm465 4spd-parts truck 2005 Ford Ranger 4.0/5spd auto 4x4 extended cab--everyday driver bought new

10-15-2007, 08:53 PM	#10
MT1972cheyenne Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Montana Posts: 223	Re: having problem with short bed The easiest way by far is to just tighten them until they break off! This is easiest with a 1/2" impact gun and a 6 point socket. Works great!

10-19-2007, 06:24 PM	#11
Drobny Hunting is Life Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Buffalo,MN Posts: 115	Re: having problem with short bed i don't have access to air ttols or know anybody with them evrything has to be done with muscle, i'm heading up this weekend to work on it more. after last time i just want to take X-pounds of C4 to the bed. pat __________________ 1970 GMC K-1500 4x4 292 I-6 3 on the tree-prodject truck 1971GMC 2500 2wd 350-v8 sm465 4spd-parts truck 2005 Ford Ranger 4.0/5spd auto 4x4 extended cab--everyday driver bought new

10-19-2007, 06:27 PM	#12
Drobny Hunting is Life Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Buffalo,MN Posts: 115	Re: having problem with short bed this weekend i am going to try a saws all or C4 pat __________________ 1970 GMC K-1500 4x4 292 I-6 3 on the tree-prodject truck 1971GMC 2500 2wd 350-v8 sm465 4spd-parts truck 2005 Ford Ranger 4.0/5spd auto 4x4 extended cab--everyday driver bought new

10-19-2007, 09:55 PM	#13
MT1972cheyenne Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Montana Posts: 223	Re: having problem with short bed just arm yourself with a ratchet and a length of pipe maybe 2 feet long to add to the handle. You can break them off by tightening them WAY easier than using a sawzall. But you will need to use the sawsall on the ones that you loosened already.

10-20-2007, 12:38 AM	#16
wibilly Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: northwestern wi Posts: 2,111	Re: having problem with short bed bring it over i'll take it off for you, i need another one anyway __________________ common sense isn't so common anymore

10-25-2007, 11:32 PM	#17
Drobny Hunting is Life Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Buffalo,MN Posts: 115	Re: having problem with short bed i tried a 18 volt cordless sawsall, i tied to cut the cross membersthat attach the bed to the frame, but no luck so i am going to try a cutting tourch. pat __________________ 1970 GMC K-1500 4x4 292 I-6 3 on the tree-prodject truck 1971GMC 2500 2wd 350-v8 sm465 4spd-parts truck 2005 Ford Ranger 4.0/5spd auto 4x4 extended cab--everyday driver bought new



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10-26-2007, 01:47 AM	#18
cstm68 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: shoreline, wa Posts: 1,565	Re: having problem with short bed cut an X in the top of the bolt and chisle it off ! __________________ 68 swb fleet bagged on 20's 327 with 4 speed http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=223308 2014 Chevy 2500hd duramax CCLB

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