Remove the bed

[Paul C10]

Hi,

I am from South Africa & recently purchased a '79 C10 (RHD) with I6 250 etc. I am a newbie & want to know the following :

1.) Is is big job to remove the bed of the truck, chassis has small cracks above the shocks & needs welding
2.) How big of a job to replace all the Cab/radiator core support/bed bushes/mountings ?

Will send pictures of the truck.

Thanks
Paul

[Jason S]

To remove the bed:  disconnect the wiring for the rear lights (should be a wiring connector at rear of frame); disconnect the fuel filler from the pickup bedside; remove nuts from bed bolts (bolts are carriage type bolts that pass through the bed floor, bed crossmember and then frame). 

Replacing the bushings isn't overly difficult as long as the nuts and bolts come loose.  If you get the nuts off of the bolts, then you just need a floor jack and some blocking wood to raise the parts enough to slip out the old bushings and slip in the new bushings.

Sometimes the cab, core support and bed bolts can be troublesome to remove the nuts (i.e., very rusty fittings).  If you can, it can help tremendously to spray some sort of deep penetrating oil (PB Blaster is one brand in the U.S.)  onto the nuts several times over several days before you try to remove the nuts.

Be sure to post photos when you get a chance.

[sphinx]

I agree with Jason S.  Use some penetrating oil for a few days on the nuts before you try to remove them.  A long handle wrench with a deep socket will also help.  One of mine was stuck so bad I rounded out the shoulder on the head of the bolt so I had to cut it off with a grinder.   Good luck, take your time and be safe.  It's not too bad a task.

[Paul C10]

Hi All,

Attached a few pictures of my truck.

Paul

[74 C-10 Shorty]

Nice clean truck.

[Elpresidente]

Right hand drive and 3-on-the-tree? That's gotta be something rare.
Anyway, I recommend not using carriage bolts when you put the bed back on. It will make it so much easier to take off, IF you have to do this again for some reason. That and when I did mine, I rounded a few holes in my box when I took it off so I kind of had no choice after haha.

[zieg85]

It is very interesting to say the least.  I would love to see the right hand drive in person, how they did the linkage, how the trans is.  The rear lights and tailgate latches, how cool.  Trucks in Mexico that I have seen had chains like the pre-67 did and used the 67-72 rear lights.  How about the gas tank fillers and how high they are compared to US models.  A very neat truck for sure, thanks for sharing!

[Jason S]

PaulC10 that is such a straight,clean and very interesting truck you have. You will definitely have to post even more photos whenever you can. 

[Paul C10]

Hi All,

Thanks for the interest in my truck.

Will send more pics of my truck, in the shop now to have the wheels painted white, cab/radiator/bed bushes replaced, engine oil leaks fixed, chassis weld on two spots etc. Do you guys think it's necesary to remove the bed to weld a small crack in the frame above the rear shock absorber ? Also I want to order some parts for my truck, (grille etc) does Captkaos ship international ? I used   Truck once, but saw their parts are from Taiwan.....

This truck is a '79 C10 model assembled in SA, with the 250 I6 & 3 on the tree. The rear tailights & tailgate is different than the US setup.  Please let me know if anyone has any questions on my truck.
Will gladly respond.
 
Paul

[hondarider188]

Right hand drive and 3-on-the-tree? That's gotta be something rare.
Anyway, I recommend not using carriage bolts when you put the bed back on. It will make it so much easier to take off, IF you have to do this again for some reason. That and when I did mine, I rounded a few holes in my box when I took it off so I kind of had no choice after haha.

wait so what does he mean by the its right hand drive and 3 on the tree

[74 C-10 Shorty]

Steering wheel and pedals are on the right and 3 speed shifter on the column.

[hotrod24]

 Man that make me dizzy just looking at it lol...

Steering wheel and pedals are on the right and 3 speed shifter on the column.

[Irish_Alley]

that wouldnt be to bad i think on the floor would be worse lol

[hondarider188]

well that sounds like a fun truck to drive.