Want to remove long bed for paint... how?

[NarwhaleAu]

Hi,

We are in the process of rubbing back my 1985 long bed c10.

I would like to paint all of the cab, but am unsure how difficult it will be to remove the long bed? Is it just 8 bolts as people say or am I opening a can of worms? Could I unbolt it and slide it back to get to the cab, but leave it on the frame? Any ideas how much it would weigh? I have an engine hoist but don't really have any sturdy saw horses.

Thanks,

Phil

PS If you have any advice on removing door handles that woudl be appreciated as well!

 

[Old77]

8 bolts, disconnect the tail lights and disconnect the filler neck from the bed (i think 3 screws) and lift her off. easy as pie.

 

[smurph20]

Just like OLD77 said but you might want to take the tailgate off to lighten it up just a lil more. You should be able to slid it back as far as the tires will let it go or if you put the rear or jackstands and take the tires off it shold slide back another couple of feet.

 

[Swims350]

no need for horses or crane and such, we've lifted beds with landscape timbers, and 2x6's or something of the sort, then stacked concrete blocks high enough to get out from under it.

You can slide it back as far as the tires let you go. or as they said just take them off.

 

[foamypirate]

Don't forget the differential vent tube. If I'm not mistaken, it's usually bolted to the bed.

 

[chengny]

You're really only interested in gaining enough space to make repairs and paint the back of the cab , correct?

If that's the case, then yes - just release the bed from the frame and leave it on the rails.

No need to disco anything except the gas tank fill pipe (& the diff vent). The wiring harness usually has enough slack to allow the bed to be slid back to where the humps start to rise. If you need more room, it can be "twisted" - first in one direction then the other. It's not that heavy, and you can do it as many times as needed for sheet metal, grinding, filler, primer, etc.

And don't break your bonding straps - they are the backup grounding path back to the battery neg. for the lighting.

And the one that grounds the gas tank is a safety device - dissapates any static charge that may build during fueling.

 

[chengny]

Oh yeah, door handles - easy.

Just held to the skin by two bolts. There is a jesus-clip that connects the push button to the latch activating rod.

You'll figure it out. Also, the LMC catalog has some real nice dwgs.

 

[NarwhaleAu]

Thanks guys - I appreciate all the help and assistance. Sorry for the late reply, I've been sanding for the last 3 days. We decided to do the outside of the bed, and I'll go back and do the inside of the bed and back of the cab at a later date. It's not ideal, but I was overruled.

Today I fired up the compressor / spray gun and the truck is now in epoxy primer grey. "Only" a few runs (...3 or 4ish) and some reaction to the existing paint which will need to be sanded out. Not too bad for my first time picking up a spray gun.

 

[HotRodPC]

Don't forget the differential vent tube. If I'm not mistaken, it's usually bolted to the bed.

Yes it is. But, it's an easy job. You can have the tank fillers, Diff vent, 8 bolts and all off ready to lift it in 20 minutes. If you have some rusty bolts, that could be the time consumer there. Some kind of PB Blaster, or WD-40, and soak the bolts for a few minutes, then have the wife or kid hold pressure on the top carriage bolt to hold it in the square so it don't spin and git'r done.

 

[HotRodPC]

Thanks guys - I appreciate all the help and assistance. Sorry for the late reply, I've been sanding for the last 3 days. We decided to do the outside of the bed, and I'll go back and do the inside of the bed and back of the cab at a later date. It's not ideal, but I was overruled.

Today I fired up the compressor / spray gun and the truck is now in epoxy primer grey. "Only" a few runs (...3 or 4ish) and some reaction to the existing paint which will need to be sanded out. Not too bad for my first time picking up a spray gun.

That's great news. BTW, welcome aboard GMSB. Nice to know you have the gear ready and handy too for the Apocolypse. You know we'll be around since we drive the longest lasting trucks on the road, and unlike Dave, don't drive Fords.

 

[NarwhaleAu]

Painted (but not yet assembled). Some streaks in it (paint was drying fast), so going to wait for it to cool down and then sand, final coat and then clear.

Cheers,

Phil

 

[Old77]

wow that's bright

 

[HotRodPC]

That's a BLUE truck !!! Looks good !!!

 

[smurph20]

I like it.

 

[89Suburban]

I like it too.