Fixing the top rails

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Aug 19, 2022 | 02:51 PM

pweng1

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Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Feb 2014

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From: Maryland

Fixing the top rails

I am doing my beds now and want to slam the round ball bearing on a rod thru my top rails to pop out any dimples and dents. Can anyone tell me the size i need and best idea to not get it stuck or ruined.

Aug 19, 2022 | 04:48 PM

FuzzFace2

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Joined: Nov 2015

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From: Angier, NC

Why not measure the opening?
Then think just a little smaller but not much smaller.
I think I would also heat the "dents" before pushing the ball thru as it would make them "pop out" easier.
Where you going to get the ball from and what sizes do they have?

Not knowing how bad and what you have, got pictures?
You could maybe cut the rolled part off and weld back on a thin wall pipe.
A member over in the 80 truck area was able to buy new bed sides for a flare side but they were not 100% ready to use as they were missing some sheet metal parts but the big one was the rolled top edge. He took thin wall pipe and welded it to the bed side and once ground down and a little filler looked factory.
Dave ----

Aug 19, 2022 | 09:19 PM

bobbytnm

Roast em' if you got 'em

Joined: Mar 2005

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From: Rio Rancho, NM

I can't remember the size. Take a tape out there and measure it.
If I were going to use a round ball I'd weld it to a long rod so I could have some control on it. It might be easier to use some round stock and round it over

Aug 20, 2022 | 01:21 PM

bobj49f2

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From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)

First thing I'd do is find a long rod, cut a slit on one end deep enough to hold a piece of course grit emery clothe in it and send it through the tube to clean out the rust and give it a smooth inner surface. Then lube the heck out of the inside of the tube to make whatever you send through go through easier. I'd find a heavy pipe or rod with the OD close to the ID of the tube and hammer it through. After that push a ball or a short steel plug through with a closer OD to work out the rest of the dents. Just a suggestion, what I'd do. But, on my truck I just cut off the tube and welded on a piece of black plumbing pipe and smooth it out. Since the plumbing pipe wall was slightly thicker than the original tube I reamed the ends with a step drill to make the wall slightly thinner to look like the original. Big added benefit of using the heavier walled pipe is it won't dent as easy as the thin walled original.

Aug 20, 2022 | 03:03 PM

abe

Fleet Owner

Joined: Dec 2000

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From: Central PA

Bob, I never could tell you used a pipe for your flare roll. Good job. I know a 56 owner near here that did that. He must not be as good as you because you could see the joint between the flare and the pipe.

Aug 20, 2022 | 03:05 PM

abe

Fleet Owner

Joined: Dec 2000

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From: Central PA

Pat, is this on one of your COE projects?

Aug 21, 2022 | 05:45 AM

Marten

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Apr 2015

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From: Kemptville, ON,

When I built my box, I took a piece of pipe for the top, clamped a piece of angle to it. That gave me a good straight edge to work with. took my grinder and scored a line on the edge of the angle iron. From that line I then ground off one side a bit more giving me a flat surface. I then laid the side of the box in the groove with the flat part being towards the box and started welding. After a lot of welding and a bit of grinding and you cannot tell it started in two pieces. I looked but can't find pictures so hoping this description works for you guys.