Taking apart bed?

[C15_Sierra]

I took the bed off my truck to help it fit in the garage better for paint/bodywork. I'm leaving the bed out in the driveway for now, and when the nose and cab are done, I will be moving on to the bed. Right now, its sitting in my driveway on sawhorses, but I'm worried more about it sliding off in high wind/rain conditions and a little less worried about the bees that like to nest in the pillars.

I was thinking about taking the bed apart, and whether it would be easier to do that for storage/maneuverability/painting - the RH bed side needs more work than the left and I have been debating its replacement anyway (which is, of course, hard to find in NE junkyards in good condition). FWIW - it needs dents taken out of the corners (and/or filled, a couple of them are on the edge so that will be tricky) and the wheel well needs to be banged back into shape and one of the fender supports needs to be replaced. Also the channel around the box is kinked/bent upwards on the RH side towards the middle, not sure if it can be pounded back into shape or not.

Looking at it, it looks like it all bolts together, but I'm wondering if there are any parts that are welded on. It seems awfully sturdy for a structure thats just simply bolted together. Thoughts?

[KQQL IT]

They completely unbolt except a tack weld in the rear stake pocket by the floor.
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[77ChevySharkBite]

x2 on what KQQL IT said, everything unbolts theres 4 bolts where where the gas tank sat so 8 total, there's the bolts in the fender wells, that hold it in place i think about 6-8 of those so 12-16 total, and then you have some where the tail lights are I believe there's 4 back there, so 8 total again, and then just have to handle the tack welds.

[C15_Sierra]

OK, great! Thanks for the info!

[KQQL IT]

I have 84 quarters on a 73 floor and header panel.
Minor differences but bolted right up.

Make sure when you go back together put the tailgate on so the lines are right and it will latch properly.
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[wraprail]

Originally Posted by C15_Sierra

I took the bed off my truck to help it fit in the garage better for paint/bodywork. I'm leaving the bed out in the driveway for now, and when the nose and cab are done, I will be moving on to the bed. Right now, its sitting in my driveway on sawhorses, but I'm worried more about it sliding off in high wind/rain conditions and a little less worried about the bees that like to nest in the pillars.

I was thinking about taking the bed apart, and whether it would be easier to do that for storage/maneuverability/painting - the RH bed side needs more work than the left and I have been debating its replacement anyway (which is, of course, hard to find in NE junkyards in good condition). FWIW - it needs dents taken out of the corners (and/or filled, a couple of them are on the edge so that will be tricky) and the wheel well needs to be banged back into shape and one of the fender supports needs to be replaced. Also the channel around the box is kinked/bent upwards on the RH side towards the middle, not sure if it can be pounded back into shape or not.

Looking at it, it looks like it all bolts together, but I'm wondering if there are any parts that are welded on. It seems awfully sturdy for a structure thats just simply bolted together. Thoughts?

What I'm about to tell you could chance your life forever so pay close attention................................
*********************************************************
You are at a crossroad here my friend. One of those times in life where the decisions and choices you make here will affect the rest of your life and the lives of those around you and possibly the entire worlds pouplation.

The only way to put this to you is to just throw it out there.
So with that said, here it goes.


Longbeds are Ugly! They are just too dam long. Way too long.
Don't get me wrong, they make fine work trucks.
Longbeds are excellent if used as work trucks and left mostly stock.

Brace yourself now......Longbeds are just not cool.
And never will be.
My dad had a long bed.
I bet your grandpa had a long bed.
See where i'm gong here....You have a chance to go from being uncool, laughed at behind your back, called names, people throwing rocks at you and all the other crap that comes from owing a long bed......To being one of the "Cool" guys.
You already have the bed off and it needs body work anyways so this is the perfect chance to make a change. To move away from that pathetic "longbed" crowd and over to the In crowd.

It's so easy, take your sawsall and real quick, CHOP CHOP and "BAM" 14" of frame is gone and YOUR IN BROTHER!
Leave all those dark days and general uglyness behind you for good!

You will be able to change your sig. to "SWB"!
As time goes by and people forget your past you will be accepted by us, while slowly at first, but little by little as older ones die off you will become one uf us.
And your days on this earth will be happy and your future will be bright!
Your family and friends will ride that wave with you and all will be wonderful!

And all you have to do is a little "CHOP CHOP"
Today is the day my friend. Don't put it off.
You are at the Crossroads today.
Make the right decision.....

You will be in our prayers....carry on my son.

[LONGHAIR]

Seriously?
You are going to bash the majority, just because of your personal preference?
Go into great detail about how it is wrong to have a LWB truck?
That is certainly not not in the spirit of this forum.

[C15_Sierra]

Haha, well I was gonna take wraprail's post in jest because she ain't changin'.

Part of the allure is you don't see many of these trucks done up around here, and when they are, they're "sporty" SWB's. Plus, I'd like to surprise a few people when they pull up to my stock-looking LWB "work truck" (or Grandpa's truck, as the PO was an 88-year-old man) and be surprised by the 5.3's get-up-and-go.

There are other factors, such as "common" LWB beds are much harder to find in rust-free condition than SWB beds, and it's that much more work that's gonna keep this truck off the road (going on 2 years at this point....)

Suggestion taken, sorry not gonna play it at this stage...

I appreciate the back up, LONGHAIR..

[KQQL IT]

Who gives a crap. Short long 2 wheel 4 wheel. Its about the trucks. Or so I thought...
Maybe that Vegas heat got to him
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[xrcr]

Soak all the bolts you can get to, take your time, breaking one off is bad.
Getting your panties in a bunch over short wheel base vs long wheel base is funny....

[77ChevySharkBite]

Yes x2 on what xrcr said when you're going to take the bolts off make sure to have wd-40 or something to help break some of it off, I know I used a lot when I was taking mine off.

I think long beds are pretty dang cool! I have a long bed myself I would suggest as well if you can have a friend or family member help you as well make sure that your stuff doesn't fall onto you, safety first above everything else.

[wraprail]

Originally Posted by C15_Sierra

Haha, well I was gonna take wraprail's post in jest because she ain't changin'.

Part of the allure is you don't see many of these trucks done up around here, and when they are, they're "sporty" SWB's. Plus, I'd like to surprise a few people when they pull up to my stock-looking LWB "work truck" (or Grandpa's truck, as the PO was an 88-year-old man) and be surprised by the 5.3's get-up-and-go.

There are other factors, such as "common" LWB beds are much harder to find in rust-free condition than SWB beds, and it's that much more work that's gonna keep this truck off the road (going on 2 years at this point....)

Suggestion taken, sorry not gonna play it at this stage...

I appreciate the back up, LONGHAIR..

I just playing dude. Appreciate your sence of humor.
I actually owned a long bed once (although it was a ford)

On your original question, only thing I might add is there are a ton of bolts.
Fire up your compressor and break out the air tools. If not your gona have a sore wrist/arm.

[bigblock73]

Read this

http://www.73-87.com/7387garage/exte...ed_rebuild.htm