Front Bed Panel Removal

[CRM]

I have removed all the screws holding the panel. The 2 above the gas tank took a while. My question is: should the panel now come right out, or do I have to loosen up the side panels too? I've tried moving it but it doesn't seem to want to move. It does wiggle a little. I must be missing something. Once I get it out I'll take it to the sheet metal shop at work and straighten it out. Has anyone ever removed one of these?

 

[DanMcG]

I've never tried it, but I guess it could be done. You'll need to spread the bed sides out since the front panel tucks into the sides. It could also be the seam sealer at the joints of the panels holding it in.

 

[74propu]

I have removed all the screws holding the panel. The 2 above the gas tank took a while. My question is: should the panel now come right out, or do I have to loosen up the side panels too? I've tried moving it but it doesn't seem to want to move. It does wiggle a little. I must be missing something. Once I get it out I'll take it to the sheet metal shop at work and straighten it out. Has anyone ever removed one of these?

I have the same problem with the bed on my 86 . I am going to weld a pull tab on it right where the bend is then put a chain on the rear bumper that I can hook a come a long on then hook the other end of the come along to the pull tab then tighten the come along and tap the bed wall with a hammer and repeat till the wall is bent back in to place then cut the tab off and do the body work and prep for paint

 

[SlickGTP]

Bed sides definitely need to be spread apart to get the rear panel out. To get them spread apart far enough though would probably require most of the bolts to be removed from the sides.

 

[CRM]

I have the same problem with the bed on my 86 . I am going to weld a pull tab on it right where the bend is then put a chain on the rear bumper that I can hook a come a long on then hook the other end of the come along to the pull tab then tighten the come along and tap the bed wall with a hammer and repeat till the wall is bent back in to place then cut the tab off and do the body work and prep for paint

I Have to pull mine because the bottom of the panel has also been bent towards the cab. It's shaped like the head of a mushroom. Looks like more work I guess.

 

[74 Shortbed]

I Have to pull mine because the bottom of the panel has also been bent towards the cab. It's shaped like the head of a mushroom. Looks like more work I guess.

This is off my 77 donor, looks like you definitely have to spread it apart at least 3" at the top then you might be able to slide it upward, you did get all the bolts off across the bottom right?..

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[CRM]

I did get all the bolts out. I was hoping I could drop it just enough to pull it up at an angle to clear the sides. Oh well.....

 

[74 Shortbed]

Nope, to do that you'd have to drop it down about 6" to clear the stake pockets, but you could take one side off then it would come right out.

 

[CRM]

 

[74 Shortbed]

I hear ya, lol..

 

[chevyk10]

I just built one of these beds. You will have to take most of the bolts out of one side. The bed is welded in the back. You will have to remove the seem sealer. Mine came apart fairly easy. It's just a lot of bolts. Has to spread about one inch on one side.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Georgeb]

Sounds easier to remove the bed bolts and move the bed.

 

[CRM]

I just built one of these beds. You will have to take most of the bolts out of one side. The bed is welded in the back. You will have to remove the seem sealer. Mine came apart fairly easy. It's just a lot of bolts. Has to spread about one inch on one side.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

What did you use for seam sealer when you put it together?

 

[chevyk10]

You can buy a tube of seam sealer at advance autozone etc. one tube will be plenty.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[CRM]

I loosened the 4 fender screws a little between the tire and the cab , and then took a 2x4 which I cut about 4" longer than the inside of the rails. Using a hammer I slowly wedged the wood in until the rails cleared the panel ends. Pulled it, straightened it, covered it with rust treatment, and tomorrow I take it into our sheet metal shop to do a little more straightening. The last pic is after I straightened the top rail. Before I did it there was a gap of 3" between the rail and the wood. Now it's an even gap all the way across.