I would like to remove the bed from frame on my '79 W150 short bed so that I can really get to the frame for cleaning and painting. I've already removed the under-bed plastic gas tank because it was cracked and leaking, and I just run off the behind the seat tank, so that's out of way. I'm wondering how big of a job this will be. Four mounts? No spare mounted under there. Can two reasonably strong people lift the bed off frame and set it aside? I would imagine it's pretty heavy.

Thanks,

Larry

Don't forget the taillights and wiring. Start soaking the nuts with penetrant a day or two ahead of time if you haven't already. I would try to round up at least 3 buddies to help lift it. Been a while since I did the '85 I had but seems like there was a grounding strap on the D. front side of the bed?


Tim

Yep, if you're using people power to remove it, you'll need 4 strong backs. They're pretty heavy.

If you take your time and work carefully, it can be done by one person with no special tools, I R&R'd an 8ft bed on a '76 Club Cab I used to own.

BUT, that was back when I was in my 20's too.

If you don't have a hoist or lift you can use, bribe your friends with beer. A 6 or 12 pack is w-a-y cheaper than a trip to the ER.

It's really not the difficult. I would suggest removing the wheels and maybe the bumper too so the bed doesn't have to be lifted as high.

Ok, thanks for tips. I did plan on hosing the bolts with PB Blaster.

I figured it's pretty heavy. I don't have a hoist. Pretty good set of hand tools, and that's about it. Taillights and tag light, remove mounts (Four?) My brother plus two friends (beer bribe ). I plan to remove bumper anyway because I want to treat and paint because of rust scale. I already have spent hours on the frame, cleaning and painting what I can reach with POR 15 (at least one Migraine from the smell despite my mask), but now realize there's really only one right way.

short bed should have 6 bolts--long bed 8 bolts----if you have an engine cherry picker you can do it by yourself--bed has to have a tailgate----run the cherry picker in the back---lower the boom into the bed---cut a 2x2 piece of steel to fit under the bed rail----the end of the cherry picker comes up against the steel bar (may want to drill a hole and set a bolt so it doesnt slip-----jack up the cherry picker---first the tailgate comes up against the boom---then the nose of the cherry picker picks up the bed.....roll away....might see it on Utube....----oh yeah---2 guys can do it---i am 70 years old and my son and i can lift them off at the pickapart....

i made a bed lifting tool out of a 4x4. i measured the distance on the inside of bed and subtracted , i think,3/8 inch from each side. i then put 2x2's( actually they measure 1 3/8x1 3/8) on top of each end so they fit under bed rail. then i took 2 eye bolts and measured in 12 inches from each end and drilled hole in 4x4. put chain in eyelets and use cherry picker to lift it off by myself. it will take a few tries to get bed to lift up evenly. but it works for me.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/wmp-tbl0013
Or make one... pretty simple. Then its a one man job with a cherry picker

Two guys can do it. My 16 year old son and I did it so I'm pretty sure you can too. As I recall 2 of the bolts take a bit of time to undo, the rest of it is easy.

Two guys can do it. Taking the bumper off helps.Grap on each side above the wheels and walk it off.

Take the tires off too. That way it just can slide back without lifting it much.

kinda pricey. I achieved the same thing by using a few light weight chains and bolts. Run one side to side and bolt to the holes in the stake pocket. One in the front, one in the back, another piece connecting them in the center. Exact same H shape done with chain I had hanging around. Grab it with the engine hoist. Maybe toss some random scrap in the bed to level it out depending on pick point and bed length.

ive done several, usually 2 guys.

My word of advice is put a blanket over the front edge and corners so that you have a small buffer between cab and bed.

With a short bed, an engine hoist with straps would be all that is needed. I removed the long bed of my 70 D100 this way too, but it would be far easier with a short bed.

What soopernaut said. Should be easier not lifted.

I guess I could rent an engine hoist.I do like the idea of doing it that way. I wouldn't mind buying equipment for future use, but I have no storage room. It's all taken up now with cars, parts, and tools. Even a spare bedroom is filled with the cleaner of the parts.

I was under the truck yesterday after work looking more closely, and it really does look pretty easy to unbolt and very little attached otherwise.

Thanks all and I appreciate the pics too.

Or maybe toss a chain over a big solid branch and use a come along. Dunno what kinda control you'd have over letting it back down. Pull the bolts out, disco the fuel fill, lights, whatever, pick up one side to get feel for the weight, grab a neighbor for 5 minutes.

If I do rent a hoist I will strap toward cab more so I don't tilt up toward the front and hit cab. I will cover cab as suggested. I'll have my brother with me.

Whatever you do, do not just string a chain from say the left rear corner to the right front corner and lift it that way! We did that on my sons 84 Short Bed and it flexed so much the quarters had "waves" in them. Wish I had a pic of the look on his face when he saw it... Fortunately, when we set it back on the frame it all settled out (much to his relief LOL). Seemed like good idea at the time, Not so much.

I built a Swing set type frame out of Maple Trees about 8 inches around and used a chain hoist to lift mine off, When I was done cut the Maple trees up for fire wood...