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| | | | Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 13 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 13 | Does anyone know if the bed side panels need to be welded to the rear crossbeam under the tailgate. Or is it strong enough just by bolting it together? | | | | | Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 443 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 443 | Personally, I would weld the sides to the crossmember, as they are supposed to be. Why would you not want to?
I imagine you will get squeeking noise & rust from the movement between them if you don't weld it.
1957 Chevrolet 1/2-ton Stepside LB in the Gallery My Photobucket shots The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself." - John Stuart Mill (1806 - 1873) | | | | | Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 13 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Dec 2008 Posts: 13 | I understand. The reason I ask is this is our first truck restoration and while dismantling the bed i noticed that the bed sides were welded at the rear crossmember. I just was not sure if that was factory or if the ricky-racer who had it before us rigged up something. | | | | | Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 443 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 443 | I know what you mean. When I got my truck almost everything was welded together. Even the rear shock bolts were welded to the nuts & I had to cut them off to put new shocks on.
1957 Chevrolet 1/2-ton Stepside LB in the Gallery My Photobucket shots The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself." - John Stuart Mill (1806 - 1873) | | | | | Joined: Dec 2007 Posts: 180 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Dec 2007 Posts: 180 | where were they welded from the factory? | | | | | Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 443 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 443 | where were they welded from the factory? The side panels were welded from the factory. No, the shock mounting nuts were not welded to the bolts from the factory. My truck was an old farm truck & the original owner welded any part that got broken over the years. The drivers door latch striker was welded to the lock post, the steering arm had broken & was welded together,exhaust manifold broken & welded, etc. etc. A lot of these old trucks were work trucks on farms & may have seen a highway very few times in their many years of use.
1957 Chevrolet 1/2-ton Stepside LB in the Gallery My Photobucket shots The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself." - John Stuart Mill (1806 - 1873) | | | | | Joined: Dec 2007 Posts: 180 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Dec 2007 Posts: 180 | I have a complete bed kit from Mar K and the instructions say nothing about welding anywhere. juust curious, I have a welder so it would be no problem. | | | | | Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 714 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 714 | Hey all,
I am trying to get my fenders off the bed panels of my 57. I have the clutch head tool for the fender bolts. I am working by myself so how can get the bolts lose? Is there a secret to keeping the bolts from spinning? I can't get to both sides of the bolt head and nut? I am thinking about just drilling out the bolt.. Thank you for any ideas! Help!
Thank you,
Jon
1957 Chevy 1/2-Ton TruckIn the Stovebolt GalleryMore pixThe coldest winter I ever saw was a summer I spent in San Francisco M. Twain
If at first you don't succeed...skydiving is not for you!
If you don't like my carbon foot print, stick it up your Prius!! | | | | | Joined: Dec 2007 Posts: 180 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Dec 2007 Posts: 180 | Hey all,
I am trying to get my fenders off the bed panels of my 57. I have the clutch head tool for the fender bolts. I am working by myself so how can get the bolts lose? Is there a secret to keeping the bolts from spinning? I can't get to both sides of the bolt head and nut? I am thinking about just drilling out the bolt.. Thank you for any ideas! Help!
Thank you,
A large pair of vise grip pliers on the nuts inside the fender. if they won't loosen try tighghten them until they break thats what I did.
Jon | | | | | Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 428 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 428 | GM started welding the rear sill to the bed sides in '51, to eliminate the possibility of the sides spreading or bowing when loaded. I've seen either two tack welds on each stake pocket to rear sill or a full bead where the stake pocket contacts the sill.Before '51, they were just bolted together.
If you're doing a correct restoration on a '51 or later, you need the welds. Otherwise they're really not necessary unless you really plan on loading up the bed.
Bob | | | | | Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 714 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 714 | 50adrod,
I scratch my head on these old clutch head bolt heads used through out the 57 body. Why in the world would they design a nut head like that? Can not get any grip to get them lose. Makita drill get ready! HAHA! I will breakdown and buy a small welding torch.
Thank you! Jon
1957 Chevy 1/2-Ton TruckIn the Stovebolt GalleryMore pixThe coldest winter I ever saw was a summer I spent in San Francisco M. Twain
If at first you don't succeed...skydiving is not for you!
If you don't like my carbon foot print, stick it up your Prius!! | | | | | Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 4,983 Master Gabster | | Master Gabster Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 4,983 | 50adrod,
I scratch my head on these old clutch head bolt heads used through out the 57 body. Why in the world would they design a nut head like that? Can not get any grip to get them lose. Makita drill get ready! HAHA! I will breakdown and buy a small welding torch.
Thank you! Jon Same reason Mr. Phillips designed the Phillips head bolt, easier and quicker work on the assembly line; the clutch head was not as workable as the Phillips head so was replaced. BTW I would just grind off the nuts from the back side.
~Jim
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 714 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 714 | Big Chevy
Oh yes. They are a pain. I will get my Drimel out! I am down to 2 bolts on the driver side and about 4 on the pass. side.
Thank you! Jon
1957 Chevy 1/2-Ton TruckIn the Stovebolt GalleryMore pixThe coldest winter I ever saw was a summer I spent in San Francisco M. Twain
If at first you don't succeed...skydiving is not for you!
If you don't like my carbon foot print, stick it up your Prius!! | | |
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