newb bed side removal question

[abig84]

1952 3800 9ft bed

i thought the bed sides just unbolt from the center supports. i unbolted the front part of the bed no problem, got to the back and the sides are welded to the back part of the bed





it almost looks factory, so did someone weld this or am i just missing something obvious

[mongocanfly]

My 55.1 bed is welded ...my 53 bed is bolted

[MARTINSR]

My 50ish bed was welded the same way. I never welded it back.I cut both sides right at the weld nicely with a cut off wheel on a die grinder and painted the bed apart and bolted back together.

Brian

[_Ogre]

the tailgate supports were welded because they got the most abuse

[abig84]

Originally Posted by MARTINSR

My 50ish bed was welded the same way. I never welded it back.I cut both sides right at the weld nicely with a cut off wheel on a die grinder and painted the bed apart and bolted back together.

Brian

so you just basically grinded straight through the welds? thats what i was thinking of doing, this is going to be a ugly patina build anyways so if i have to reweld it and spray a little primer or paint on it so be it.

maybe ill just cut right up the middle so i only have to cut once

[mongocanfly]

Any reason why your gonna cut it apart..?

[mr48chev]

It's hit and miss on them being just bolted or welded. It may have been what plant they came out of. If you are hauling loads on a regular basis it may need to be welded but for a cruiser it should be ok bolted together.

[abig84]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

Any reason why your gonna cut it apart..?

I'm swapping the rear axle and also have to replace a few of the braces going from bed side to bed side and need to run brake lines fuel lines wiring install fuel tank, you guys know the deal pretty much every needs to be done and just figure it would be way easier with the bed out of the way

How heavy you think both bed sides together are? How many people would I need to just lift the entire thing off in one piece?

Since it's a 3800 and looks like a worktruck so I guess it makes sense to have it welded for strength

[mongocanfly]

Its not so much that the beds heavy as it is bulky..I'd put a person on each corner to make it safe..out in the open I can pick my bed up by myself (not recommended)..if you have a engine puller you can ratchet strap it from each corner and do it by yourself..I've also seen people use 2x4s crossways for lifting

[_Ogre]

about the only thing i didn't disassemble was the 4 bed panels
with the fenders, tailgate and wood off it was easy for me to stand in it's end from the frame
unless you need it apart, don't bother

[abig84]

that sounds like a plan then. all the wood is gone so i just need to cut the bolts holding it to the frame, im not going to cut it unless for some reason i really have too