I stripped my bed down to bare metal this past week and I was going to do a bedliner on Saturday, but now it is really really misty and rainy here, I noticed that the bed of my truck is getting more full of water every day.

Does anyone have any suggestions of how to get the water to drain? Were there drain holes from the factory?

As a last resort, If I drill 2-4 1/2" holes in the front of the bed to drain it, will I hit anything that I shouldn't?

 

Raise the front of the truck or if the bed is off the truck raise the bed. Look before you drill.

 

These trucks were never intended to hold water...no sealer in the floor area at the front whatsoever. If you look at several different beds...look at the bumpsides(67-72) as well...varying spacing between currogated part of the floor and the front wall which has a 3/4" flange thats under the front edge of the floor area. The front area gets clogged up with crap and gets stuck UNDER the floor between it and the front wall flange which causes the water retention issue and the rust/rot issue. The flat panels as I recall are spot welded to the front wall below the load floor area.
Its a real pain to keep the front corrugated area clear of crap as the only real way is to keep the flange area clear. A thought that just occured to me...drilling holes will get rid of most of the water...but the flange area under the load floor will still have crap in the area and will still have rustout issues...
How do I know all of this? Several years ago when I replaced my bed my replacement rode upside down on the original bed with 2X2's in stake pockets and 2X4's and C clamps holding them together. It was an interesting way to see how they are assembled as well...no paint there either under the load floor area or braces at all...primer...thats it...the ruddy red stuff...same as what the service parts typically come painted in.
To avoid the water issue...for a work truck...park nose uphill a bit...and keep the bed clear...the crap trap area is all fairly easily accessible from under the truck...bedside equipped beds are alot harder as I found out on mine...a good job for the neighbor kid or young son...making positively sure the truck is secure and cant go anywhere...tools needed...a couple of old modified butter knives...coat hanger...and safety glasses for the peepers.



- cs65

 

I used high pressure air to blow the crap out