bed assembly question here guys

dgassett · #1 (**permalink**) 05-16-2008, 10:45 PM

The passenger side of my bed is pretty well destroyed. Frame is straight. I was wondering if I can take apart the bed in sections without having to cut. I found a short bed at the junk yard with the passenger side messed up. The junk yard wond let me cut the bed there. Funny thing is they sell the bed for $250.00 and a bed side for $50.00. So if they sell just the bed side I am hoping it can come apart without cutting.

Red69 · #2 (**permalink**) 05-16-2008, 11:38 PM

If you are talking about a fleetside bed it is welded. You either drill out the spot welds or just cut it.

blue68f100 · #3 (**permalink**) 05-17-2008, 08:14 AM

Like red said the bed is welded. You can get a spot weld removal drill tool. It cuts around the weld allowing you to seperate the pieces with out have to drill the weld itself. The weld it's self is real hard. Then once you have the alignment you do a rosett weld. This is basic a weld that fills in the hole.

limegoldf100 · #4 (**permalink**) 05-17-2008, 02:13 PM

It's also difficult because these beds (unlike the 73 and up) are only partially double-wall. The top portion is a single panel running from a seam and bending over for the straight upper part of the bed. The lower panel forms the outside from the seam to the bottom and folds sharply at the seam and back down to the bed floor on the inside.

dgassett · #5 (**permalink**) 05-17-2008, 02:45 PM

Thanks guys, so if I remove the spot welds the side of the bed itself should come off. No it is not a step side. I guess that means I got a tough job ahead of me.

Do you think it woud be easier to just get the piece of sheetmetal from LMC and replace what is bad? I can't weld but I have a buddy that says he could.