bed removal (87 short fleet)

[p7387]

hey

thinking about removing my bed to get at the fuel pump. irish was king enough to post some links but i was thinking there might
be some more detailed instruction given what must be a common job.

thanks

[bd]

The '87 6-ft FS uses 8 bolts to secure the bed to the frame; 4 front, 4 rear.  Spray the bed bolts with PB Blaster and let it sit overnight.  Remove the frontmost six bolts.  Loosen the rear two bolts almost all the way.  Disconnect the fuel tank hoses and filler door ground strap.  Cover the tank openings.  Raise and safety block the front of the bed for access.  R&R the tank units.

[zieg85]

Easy as pie if it isn't rusted to bad.  A short bed has 6 bolts that go through the bed.  If you are limited in funds like I am you will attempt to save everything you can.  The bolts are 1/2" course thread and the nut takes a 3/4" wrench.  I went and hit all the bolts with rust penetrate and used a 1/2" course thread die and chased the threads to the nut.  On mine there was a shield over both mufflers that had to come off to reveal the bolts in front.  I heated the nuts up and took my time.  You don't want to force it and have the carriage bolts spin in the bed.  I only broke 1 getting them off.  The ones all the way in back are a bear with the bumper still on.  Unplug the connection in back, remove the plastic gas filler piece from the bed, 3-#3 phillips screws and remove the ground strap.  That is it besides at least 3 people, 4 is ideal..  If you have 4 cinder blocks standing on edge the bed will sit fine on them.