The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Slope of bed

Is the bed suppose to slope forward on 3100 series? So many trucks have rotted out front bed panels because of this, but I can't see why it would be designed this way. If I wanted to raise the front end a little I see the problem of the fenders being bolted to the running boards so when you raise everything the running boards will come up as well. Has anyone found a way to resolve this or should I just accept the slope and move on?

I'm finally (after 15 years) going to get my truck painted and need to address a few body issues such as this.

On a lighter subject, I've been away from the Stovebolt for almost 2 years because I've been restoring my daughter's 65 Mustang. Now it's in the body shop getting it's paint job and then I'm done. Now I get to devote some time with my truck. Haven't really worked on it for the two years because it has never given me any problems. It's my daily driver hauling dirt and old Mustang parts, etc.

Craig

I am wondering if they were designed that way to help the load stay in there. I wonder if a few drain holes would help? I know the problem you are talking about. When I removed my saddle tanks on my 72, it left a couple of holes that I think will serve this purpose.

the beds aren't designed that way, the suspension is - if the box sloped to the back, or was even level, when the truck was empty it would be draggin the bumper with it's max load

I put holes at the base of the bed front panel in all the trucks that see a lot of time out in the rain

Bill

It's that load thing, but I solved it a bit with my Dodge ½ ton, smaller rear tires and a suspension help spring and now it's almost level when empty, looks a bit weird, but the water tank I'm using to fill the cistern is now emptying until the last drop and easy to remove again. No change in driving although it’s a bit stiffer in the rear on gravel roads.

OK so it's not just my beast that slopes. If so, I'll probably just leave it as it. Thanks for the replies.

I solved the sloped bed problem with my truck. I bought a house with a sloped driveway. I just park it nose in and all the water runs out the back at the tailgate.