How to dismantle 1959 fleetside bed?

[shadow1967]

At the point of removing the bed. Is there a way to separate the sides from rear panel? Are there any welds to cut? I have not looked at it very well. Got tired of grind and punching the bolts out of the strips. God why so many Bolts!!!

[buggy5872]

The rear brace is bolted at both ends. It should not be welded unless someone put some non factory welds on it.

[Jemo]

I just put mine back together not long ago so it's still a little fresh in my mind. Nothing should be welded. If it is, it's not factory. The rear is only held together by the large rear brace. I remember there being 2 bolts per side. The other cross braces are of course bolted to each strip of wood and along the sides to the wheel wells or the side of the bed. The wheel wells have about 20 bolts that hold it to the bed side. The front panel has 3 or 4 bolts that hold it to the bedside and then all the bottom bolts that bolt to the wood strips.

Wait till you get to put it back together. FUN!

[Jemo]

Oh, take pics before you get it apart so you know where the cross braces go. Take a lot of pics.

[shadow1967]

Thanks Buggy5872.

[_Ogre]

Stepside beds are bolted and welded on the rear sill acording to the assembly manual
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[shadow1967]

Jemo, I feel there's a story here. Thanks.

[shadow1967]

Thank Ogre!!!

[Jemo]

I wish I were closer so i could help. This was my first time and I think I had well over 30 hours doing it but I'm slow. In my case, I put it all together first because you don't know where to drill the holes in the wood unless it's assembled. Then you have to take it back apart, stain the wood and put it together again. I bought everything from Mar-K. All the other bolts for the wheel wells and stuff I just picked up at Lowes. I have the assembly directions if that would help but I don't know how to post them because they're scanned. Send me an email and I'll reply with them.

Jeff

[OrrieG]

My fleetside had the rear cross sill welded to the sides. But it also originally had a lift gate so that may be the reason. I would guess that most do get welded over time because the tops start spreading if they are really used. Mar-K has some good online information and your can order an assembly manual for like $10. I kept some pieces of my old wood because there are some minor notchs at the rear sill and inner fenders that do not seem to show up on aftermarket pieces I have seen.

[_Ogre]

i brought my assembly manual in from the barn
look at the section M-M it denotes the rear sill to stake pocket weld
i believe it was bolted for assembly and then squared up and welded

even someone with a highly modified truck should buy a factory assembly manual
i doubt that i could have gotten my spare carrier together without it
very handy for knowing where all the body parts go on trucks that we tore apart years ago

[_Ogre]

i sold my rear sill and stake pocket to a guy on a forum
as i remember i removed the bolts, ground part way thru the welds
and then just wiggled the stake pockets until the welds broke
otherwise you can do serious damage if you cut thru everything

[shadow1967]

Thanks for sharing! I guess I have to buy one. And I guess I'll have to write my own manual when I'm done so years from now, I can look it up and go why did I do that, that way!!