The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk lifting the bed a bit

Want to lift the bed a bit so I can slip the missing rubber pads in place. I won't lift it very high to do it but want to be certain I have loosened/removed all the attaching bolts. I will lift it with the fenders attached.

- the 6 main bolts
- the 2 bolts holding the running boards to the rear fenders,
- the bracket from the rear fender to the frame
- the one bolt attaching the rounded skirt ahead of the wheels to the rear fender.

Have I forgotten any as I don't want a surprise.

that should not be a big deal
check your wiring for slack
i would also paint/ varnish the wood blocks to keep them from cracking and rotting out over time

heck if you are going to do it
do it all..........ONCE

Good point about the blocks. Thanks.
I tried raising the bed by myself (fenders attached) and it seemed to lift the whole rear end a bit. Can't think of anything else holding it down, just the weight of it perhaps.
Don't know how I will raise it, probably use a floor jack with a 2 x 4. Any other ideas?

olblu49

If you could borrow or rent one of those 'jack-all's'
(tractor jack) that might work better than the floor jack and a 2x4------just an idea. I've had one for more than 50 years and it's amazing what uses it can be put to.

Ol Blu,

I just spent the afternoon installing blocks and pads under the 46. If everything is loose, you should not need much force at all. A floor jack should be more than enough. I was able to apply enough force using arm strength only to place the blocks and pads underneath.

Also, if you have an under bed spare, make sure nothing is hanging up on that as well..

Thanks Jarge. Haven't heard from you in a while. I don't have a 'jack - all' but wish I did.
And 46 in Progress thanks for your input. The blocks are there already but I never had the pads. Was thinking of starting at the front of the bed using arm strength and if necessary the jack and raising it about 1", just enough to get the block out and put in the pad and replace the block. Hope I don't bend anything in so doing. If all the bolts I took out line up when I'm done I'll be happy. It will be a one-man job.

Big pry bar and a couple of 2x4 bits? Expect things to be a bit rust welded together.

Removed the whole box with 4 friends, piece of cake probably only weighes 3-400lbs and lifts quite easy.

But I ain't got no friends! Seems everyone is 'suddenly' busy!

Got all the bolts out, used a jack to raise the rear an inch. Put the blocks and pads and those 4. Lowered it and raised the front. Here is where the problem is. The long bolts go through the blocks and pads and into the top hole of the frame but are not lined up with the bottom holes in the frame. About half a bolt distance.
I had not tightened the rear bolts so I pulled them out hoping to jog the box but it would not move enough. Pulled the bed boards out so i could get a better look at the problem.
Wonder if I took a reamer and enlarged the lower hole to accommodate the bolt would be all right. As of now I have put her away until I get in a better mood and have more help. Hardly a one man job in my case.

Took a long break from and wondered what I was doing wrong. Realized that although I had drilled the holes in the pads the same diameter as the bolts, rubber has a tendency to 'shrink' after you drill it. My bolts were not getting through the rubber. I took them out and made a square cut in the rubber and the bolts dropped right in. All bolted up now.

Smart Lad!

I removed and replaced my bed by myself.. just used a hand truck to move it around, then levered it up into place... (no fenders)

ol blu,
maybe i can exchange labor with you on a few things...and/or knowledge

Tony - any time. Two heads are a lot better as are 4 arms. Let me know.