Anyone have any experience at removing the bed fender bolts from a 1948 F1 pickup bed? I have two bed bolts that have been cut off on each side that need to be replaced. I'm guessing the originals are welded in place. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Steve.

 

they are not welded, well at least not on the 52s and 51s, they should have 3 prong like things on the back of the head to hold it in place.

 

Any suggestions on removing them?

 

Its been about 4 years but i think you can tap around the head to try and break it free, the you can put a larger socket on it and tap the other end.

 

I think they were somehow electrically welded on. Kind of spot welded, I think that's what the three little knubs are for, they act as the contact points to make a slight weld to hold the bolts in place. You can buy replacements from Dennis Carpenter or one of their distributors.

 

Thanks guys. I got an article off the internet where they use a cut off wheel to carve x's into the bolt heads then chisel them off.
3M Strip Disc Grinder - Classic Trucks Magazine
I was hoping not to go this route, but it may be the fastest way in the end!

 

I had a couple broken on my 55. Not sure if they are the same or not. I drilled a hole in the center of the broken bolt from the flat head side. Then tapped it to a smaller thread, threaded a bolt into the old one. When it came out on the inside bed side spotted it with the welder then ground it back flush. After painting the bed you can't tell it was done from inside the bed. Under the fender the only difference is the replaced bolt is slightly smaller.
The "fat" part of the bolt is thick enough with some of the broken bolt to easily thread and once welded to stop it from spinning it makes a permanent repair.
Good luck what ever you decide.
Larry

 

If your bedsides not painted, or maybe even if it is? just use the air chisel (flat bit) and place the chisel bit against the side of the bolt on the inside bed portion keeping the flat side of chisel close to the bedside (or up against it) and a quick burst with the air chisel and mine just popped right off. quickest easiest way to to it.

 

I tried a screwdriver and hammer on one of them and it popped out pretty easily the second one is a tougher one, so may score the top like in the article. I like the pneumatic chisel idea. I don't have one, but HF is pretty cheap, so maybe next time I'm up there I'll pick one up.

 

Took my fenders off today and I could not get my bolts out. I have to replace all of mine. Glade this thread was here at this time.

 

I took all mine off with the angle grinder, took about 15 minutes fo both sides. Box wasn't painted and needs work anyway.