I took the bed off my 49 1/2-ton this summer, after I discovered all 4 wooden blocks that are supposed to support it on the frame were missing. I replaced one of the bed boards, which is clearly not the same as doing the entire thing, but it certainly seemed much easier to have the bed off. I was able to stand the bed on end in the garage and work from both sides. Also gave me a good opportunity to sandblast/clean/paint the frame in the rear.
I attached a couple pictures, not that they'll help a lot.
