73-87chevytrucks.com
73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Body, Glass & Paint => Topic started by: truckdoctor on April 10, 2008, 09:19:00 am
-
I am currently working on a 84 4X4 where the bed is in perfect condition with absolutely no rust through, but upon checking in around and through I found the supports under the bed that hit the frame and where the bed bolts go through are in need of some serious help. I have searched high and low and can find just about every other sheet metal part made for these trucks except for these supports (3" high in the back). The thing that gets me is I can find these for the stepside beds with no problem.
Is there an aftermarket company that produces and sells these supports? If you know of a supplier please let me know. I will make my own if need be but I'd really like to stay as stock as possible, not for any shows, just because they work well and do what they are supposed to do without getting in the way of anything.
Thanks for reading and trying to help out.
-
I use 1/8" square tube stock when I rebuild beds that have this issue. I have also used used ones too.
-
I couldn't find any either. I was told to make replacement pieces with square tubing.
-
I knew there was a reason I asked this question to people who have done this before. To get great answers and better ideas. Thanks to Blazin and JJSZABO for their ideas, I was thinking about using that stuff the electrical supply houses sell (uni-strut). After listening to their idea the square stock sounds better because it's a complete square that is completely closed all of the way around unlike the uni-strut which has one side open. I would think because of this the square tubing would be stronger and really better looking (but who's going to look under the truck for these supports? It may be the next buyer?
Thanks guys I appreciate your quick response.
-
I've used street sign steel when I had to rebuild the structure for my 84 Blazer. I knew the guy that did all the street signs for the town so he got me some so I wouldn't have to steal any :P Worked mint though
-
I've used street sign steel when I had to rebuild the structure for my 84 Blazer. I knew the guy that did all the street signs for the town so he got me some so I wouldn't have to steal any :P Worked mint though
With that in mind wouldnt Pickets for Picket fence work ??
-
??? wood?
-
I have a catalog that has them listed on the back cover but I couldn't find them online when I checked their site.
They are called raybuck automotive.
-
??? wood?
Nah these (http://www.tractorsupply.com/wcsstore/ConsumerDirectStorefrontAssetStore/images/products/600/3609162.jpg)
-
??? wood?
Nah these (http://www.tractorsupply.com/wcsstore/ConsumerDirectStorefrontAssetStore/images/products/600/3609162.jpg)
LOL :D :D
I thought he ment wood also ;D
-
Those won't work.
(1) they are not thick enough.
(2) they are not a box or u / c channel shaped.
-
Right now I do have the extra 8' bed that is really in beautiful shape except for the fact the floor supports in the back are rusted beyond repair. I believe I am going to end up with some box metal and weld it into place. The reason it's so critical to do this for this second project is I want to have this bed and use it for a trailer that matches the truck. If I use a dump bed kit like I want to I'll need all of the reinforcement I can get for the bed especially when it's loaded and moving in the up direction. I don't want the bed to twist and ruin all of my money, time, and effort if you know what I mean.
Right now this whole swap deal making my 84 4X4 to a 87 4X4 is kicking my account right in the rear end. Each time I look at something else I see something that may shut the truck down or cause me a problem and I replace it. Here lately it's the fuel tank, the water pump, the fuel pump, all new cab and core support mounting hardware, bed hardware just to name a few things.
Hopefully I get to a point where I can lay some paint down on the truck, but that seems like it may be a few more weeks before that happens (more like a month or two). But I wanted to say thanks so much for all of the thought you all have put into this for me. There is nothing more special than to ask a bunch of good people a question and find several ways to go about getting what you need done.
Thanks again.