I pulled the bed today, it was a bit less traumatic than the cab.
Here is the bed lifter I made:
[IMG]http://thumb19.webshots.net/t/72/72/8/94/53/2204894530100598759IguPsf_th.jpg[/IMG]Here it is in use:
[IMG]http://thumb19.webshots.net/t/72/72/0/89/63/2402089630100598759iMUKbk_th.jpg[/IMG]Then dropping the bed for storage on my 16' trailer:
[IMG]http://thumb19.webshots.net/t/50/750/1/32/91/2620132910100598759HOQhBH_th.jpg[/IMG]And finally, a couple of shots of the almost bare frame:
[IMG]http://thumb19.webshots.net/t/72/72/9/97/34/2552997340100598759cBvyxu_th.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://thumb19.webshots.net/t/69/569/9/10/87/2556910870100598759xZZgoL_th.jpg[/IMG]This was a bit easier than the cab removal, but not without some difflculty for one person. See thread on cab removal problems here:
https://www.stovebolt.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=448687#Post448687I definitely am thinking gantry crane for re-install.
Next, pull the rear end and springs, get the frame ready to flip for welding on the Fatman IFS cross member. But first drill out the front cross member and start boxing the frame. It is real tempting to buy the 4 link rear at this point. Any opinion on yay or nay on that, other than money? Can you haul a load with a 4 link rear?
No one can say this was not a frame-off rebuild!!
Actually, of the eight bed bolts, maybe two were actually holding anything on. Most had pulled through the rotted bed wood. I am glad for a number of reasons that I have gone ahead and pulled everything off. When you buy an old truck, check everything out, including the basics like cab to frame and bed to frame bolts. Gravity was playing a big role in keeping this stuff on my frame. The front clip was actually bolted on better than the cab or the bed. None of the shocks were actually positively connected, the motor mounts were relying on gravity, just a number of things are making me happy I took things apart so they could be put back together with some potential of not coming apart.
