stepside bed questions...

[k1rodeoboater]

I'm going to be taking my bed off to do some work on it soon. I need to replace the headboard on my bed with one I pulled off of one at a junkyard. I ran into some issues getting it free...namely it had to be persuaded out via a method I don't really want to use on my bed. Does the whole bed come apart by unbolting it? Is it welded anywhere like the fleetsides are? Any tips for taking it off/getting it apart?

Thanks

[lakeroadster]

Originally Posted by k1rodeoboater

I'm going to be taking my bed off to do some work on it soon. I need to replace the headboard on my bed with one I pulled off of one at a junkyard. I ran into some issues getting it free...namely it had to be persuaded out via a method I don't really want to use on my bed. Does the whole bed come apart by unbolting it? Is it welded anywhere like the fleetsides are? Any tips for taking it off/getting it apart?

Thanks

I have dissassembled & reassembled my stepside bed. Here is how they came from the factory:

The front bed panel is not welded to any other bed panels. It bolts to the side panels and to the bed boards.

The rear panel under the tailgate is welded to the side panels and it too bolts to the bed boards.

Hope that helps.

[k1rodeoboater]

dang I was hoping it just bolted all together. The rear sill that is welded in place, is it absolutely necessary to weld it back in or can it be just bolted in place?

[Captainfab]

It can be just bolted back together. If you get the bolts good and tight, and keep the tailgate up and latched when driving, it should stay in place. I think GM welded the back like they did, because these trucks were intended to be used as trucks, and the welds made the back of the box more rigid. Particularily if the truck is used much with the tailgate down.

Originally Posted by k1rodeoboater

dang I was hoping it just bolted all together. The rear sill that is welded in place, is it absolutely necessary to weld it back in or can it be just bolted in place?

[k1rodeoboater]

Good to know. Ideally I'd like to not completely disassemble the entire bed, but if it has to happen it has to happen.

I'm guessing to remove the headboard you need to remove all the bedwood and strips first, then unbolt it and pull it out the top. Correct? Is there any good way of doing that so I won't completely bugger up my bedstrips or am I going to end up breaking them? I plan on redoing the bed eventually, just not right now

[1Bad62Pro/Street]

Had to take my all apart.
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[k1rodeoboater]

You don't happen to have any good tips for getting the wood out do you? I think I vaguely recall someone saying to use an impact and tighten them rather than try to losen them. They'll either shear off of it'll make it easier to break them free.

[slorio]

You don't happen to have any good tips for getting the wood out do you? I think I vaguely recall someone saying to use an impact and tighten them rather than try to losen them. They'll either shear off of it'll make it easier to break them free.

My wood was so rotten, that I pulled it out in chunks by hand. That left the rusted 1/4" bolts exposed between the bed rails and the bed strips. I then went to work with a pair of bolt cutters and snipped each one off. It went very quickly this way.
regards,
Steve
New Orleans

[k1rodeoboater]

Originally Posted by slorio

You don't happen to have any good tips for getting the wood out do you? I think I vaguely recall someone saying to use an impact and tighten them rather than try to losen them. They'll either shear off of it'll make it easier to break them free.

My wood was so rotten, that I pulled it out in chunks by hand. That left the rusted 1/4" bolts exposed between the bed rails and the bed strips. I then went to work with a pair of bolt cutters and snipped each one off. It went very quickly this way.
regards,
Steve
New Orleans

I wish mine was rotted...it'd sure make things easier. My boards are all actually really solid still. They look like hell, are stained, and a few are cracked, but overall they're in pretty good shape. I'll eventually replace the bed wood but for now I'd like to try to reuse them if at all possible since it'll save me money and I'll have a useful bed for a while

[lakeroadster]

You will probably find the best way to remove the bed wood bolts, at the front bed panel, is to cut the heads off under the bed with a cut off wheel.

If you try to loosen them they will probably spin which may screw up the bed strips.

If you try to tighten them and break the bolt it may also screw up the bed strips.

A cut off wheel on a 4" angle grinder should make quick work of them, probably take less than 10 minutes total to cut them all off that front panel.

[k1rodeoboater]

that's what I figured. I may be able to turn them lose like I did at the junkyard...but I'm not gonna count on it. I know the bolts that hold it in place up there aren't all that thick and will cut through pretty quick. I'll probably end up cutting all the other carriage bolts holding the strips in while I'm under there. I plan on replacing all the carriage bolts with standard bolts on my truck. Not as neat/clean looking but a whole lot easier to get stuff on and off.

Thanks for all the info guys.

[1Bad62Pro/Street]

It pays off to use stainless steel bolts. Especially if you are planning on keeping the truck. I had some stainless and some not. Of course the ones that were not was rusted up something fierce. A quick use of sledge hammer got the wood out. Had to cut some of the bolts off. Stainless is painless! Got my bed tore apart cuz I have to redo the tubs bedsides etc. You gonna hit up any of the Lowest Motor Speedway car shows in Concord? I may go this year. Of course the truck will stay home. Dang gas prices. I have to use High Test. Ouch.......


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[k1rodeoboater]

I don't know if I'll make it out there this year. It all depends on the outcome of some medical stuff right now.

[1Bad62Pro/Street]

Originally Posted by k1rodeoboater

I don't know if I'll make it out there this year. It all depends on the outcome of some medical stuff right now.

No problem bud. I may or may not go myself. I may go with friends but not the same going.without my dad. Diabetes is a
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