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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Body, Glass & Paint => Topic started by: bob77 on September 22, 2008, 05:38:37 pm
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Hey all,
Amidst the small projects I have going under my hood, I am getting ready to swap the beds on my 77 short box. I have a bed in primer that is in far better shape than the one on it currently. I am planning on doing this myself this weekend. I know that Bed Mounting Hardware kits are available, but I was wondering if anyone had any specs on the bolts/ hardware for the bed bolts. Rather than ordering a kit, I have a source through the fab shop where I work for nuts/bolts/hardware/etc... Before I try and remove/loosten/cut the old bolts out, I was hoping to be able to purchase replacements. Just wondering if anyone knew off hand the sizes/lengths/diameter/thread count/etc... on the bed mounting hardware.
Thanks
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Eight bolts total. I remember that they're 1/2-13 nc threads and some are 4 1/4 " long and some are shorter- @ 3" long. I just can't remember how many are which length. I think there are 6 longer and 2 shorter ones. The square shank below the head is twice as long as a normal carriage bolt. On some of them there are spacers needed between the bed and the frame that look like a squared off horseshoe. It's been a couple of yrs--
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I pulled the bed off last night and much to my amazement, all 8 bolts came out very easily. I am going to wire wheel or sandblast them today to clean them up and I will be able to re-use them all.
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8 Bollts, sandblasted an good as new. As far as the spacers... I am going to have to look on the ground when I get home today where I pulled the bed off. I don't remember seeing any, but it was getting pretty dark when I got to pulling it off. I imagine that any spacers would be on an "As Needed" basis to compensate for irregularities in frames and bed floors. I imagine when I get the bed set onto the frame I will be able to watch the body lines and look for gaps between the bed and frame. It would probably be a bit of a pain, but I'm sure I could use oversized washers as spacers if needed.
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8 Bollts, sandblasted an good as new. As far as the spacers... I am going to have to look on the ground when I get home today where I pulled the bed off. I don't remember seeing any, but it was getting pretty dark when I got to pulling it off. I imagine that any spacers would be on an "As Needed" basis to compensate for irregularities in frames and bed floors. I imagine when I get the bed set onto the frame I will be able to watch the body lines and look for gaps between the bed and frame. It would probably be a bit of a pain, but I'm sure I could use oversized washers as spacers if needed.
Good job.
Yes that is what I am using. I have one front corner that needs a little "lifting" so the body lines match perfectly. You can also use body shims from Auto Zone from the HELP section.
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Cool. Thanks for the tip.
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I know this is an old thread (sorry) but did you ever get the specs on those bolts? I need this info.
Thanks,
Brent
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how did you take the bed off by yourself? i need to do it soon..