Box removal

[Kris_77stepside]

So I'm picking up a regular fleet side short box this Sunday to replace my rotted out and bondoed step-side box.  Haven't got under to look at it yet but I have a feeling the bolts are gonna be a real pain to remove.  Can I just chip up the wood around the bolt heads on the floor, cut the heads off the bolts with my angle grinder and the rest of the bolt will just fall out the bottom?  Then I was wondering about the bushings as I am assuming there is rubber bushings between the box and the frame, can I just go and buy some new bolts and reuse the bushings if they are still good or are the step-side bushings different than the fleet side bushings?  Thanks.

[Blazin]

No bushings under a bed. If you cut the tops off the bolts be careful not to spray sparks at your glass.

[bake74]

     No bushings, but I got hard rubber, flat square washer looking spacers I guess is the right name, that I ordered online for mine.
     After looking at different part magazines, they said they were to go between the frame and bed to help keep it solid (mine had a gap like there was something there before, but was gone )  On my step side I had to replace them, they were shot, though my bolts were still good, what you said will work, just remember where you are cutting around.

[crazedhick3]

Take a hole saw bigger that the bolt head and drill right through the wood.  lift of the bed then sawzall the old bolts from the top.

[thirsty]

The bolts don't just go thru the wood. They go thru the cross supports also. I have had to cut a stepside off with a torch...Be careful if you do. Don't do it inside a garage.

[Kris_77stepside]

Well I got the box off today.  Only took maybe 15 minutes to get it off.  I just took my angle grinder, cut right down the center of the bolt heads then came in at an angle and cut the heads off.  Then I flipped the box off and cut it all apart to bring it to the scrap yard.  After I got done sweeping there was like a 5 pound pile of rust lol.  And yeah the hole saw idea was good but definitely wouldn't of worked.  Now just got to go pick up my fleet-side box on Sunday and put it on!  I was thinking of keeping the truck but I might end up selling it as I have 2 other project cars and could really use the money for an air compressor.  Still not sure though cause I've always wanted one of these trucks!  Here's some pics. 

[Novadiecast]

OH NO.......a Visor!!!!

[bake74]

     Well it is up to you, but in my opinion every home needs a truck.  You said you have 2 other project cars, is that your other truck in the pic also ?

[Kris_77stepside]

OH NO.......a Visor!!!!

Lol yeah that's one thing I really wish it didn't have on it, I don't like them at all.  Still not sure whether I'm going to keep it or not but I'm thinking right now would be a good time to wire wheel the rear half of the frame and paint it.  Then I can coat the bottom side of the bed and the rear half of the truck would basically be done.  Problem with this truck is the front clip is the only solid thing on it as the fenders have been replaced.  The cab floor is shot and the patch panels wouldn't work for it so basically it needs a new cab also.    But I did find a website with over 200 pages of short bed pics and every time I look at it I lean more towards keeping it.  As for the other truck in the pic yes that is mine.  1994 chevy 1500 long box I bought about a month ago.  Then my other projects are my 1970 chevelle and 1984 El Camino.  So technically I have 3 trucks right now lol.

[Jason S]

You could combine two of your trucks... That 77 shortbed would be a perfect place for a 94 model throttle body injection engine and overdrive transmission... 

[Kris_77stepside]

Yeah but that truck isn't a project, it's my daily driver and too nice to rip apart.   Here's a link to those photos I was talking about if anyone want's to look at some short boxes.  http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=409151

[Kris_77stepside]

Well I went and got the new box today.  I know it looks rough but that's the bad side in the photos.  Good news is he gave me a brand new drivers side box side!  The passenger side is solid with just about a silver dollar size rust hole on the bottom of the wheel well.  The floor is really solid (just really dirty) but has a few small holes from where a 5th wheel was mounted and another silver dollar size rust hole.  Tailgate is almost rust free and as you can see the truck used to have a 6.2L diesel motor in it.  Also I got a brand new Lund rear roll pan to replace my bumper.  I think it was a pretty good deal for $150.  Here's some pics.  Definitely needs some new paint lol.