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Well I picked up this old 61 GMC 1000 long bed stepside. knowing I wanted to get rid of some rust and probably put a workable paint job on it once I had it running. surprisingly it didn't take too long to get that far. I am a few hours work away from having the lights working and as soon as I get the emergency brake cable re-attached to the real swing arms it should be at a point it could pass a safety inspection and get tags. but it has rusted out rocker panels, a little rust starting to come through lower door corners at the back and a pretty rough left rear fender. since it's 20 degrees out there and wind still blowing out of the north I'm procrastinating about getting out in the shop on that cold concrete and sitting in front of a little electric heater trying to finish up the lighting work.so I am trying to focus on a first step to doing some body work. I hate painting and don't want a pile of bondo in it. what I'm thinking of is starting with the bed and removing the fenders and steps and getting into straightening and welding cracks and getting that in somewhat decent condition before starting doors and cab. I have no dreams of making this a show truck and mainly want a pretty decent 20 footer/ driver work truck. guess I'm asking about tips on how to approach this. I got it as a winter project to keep me out of the house and doing something productive. Raymond. Texas panhandle

If you plan on painting it yourself, you will need some warm weather or the paint will run. As far as the metal work, you will probably find that the rusty areas will be worse than they may appear now. I don't like the idea of fixing rust with fiberglass/bondo, because you can't. You mentioned that you can weld. Cut out the rust and fix it right. I guarantee you will be happy that you did when you are done.

that is my plan. and yes as I get farther into it- I find more rust. I'm with you on cutting the stuff out and replacing. I have been looking at the replacement panels for the rocker panels for sure. and finding some rusted out cab supports as well - boy what fun I have got myself into. green as I am I figured that the plywood floor in the bed would be as easy as removing the bolts down both side angles and lift them off and it would lift right out. only to find after grinding off the bolt heads and punching the bolts down through. that the side angles seem to be permanently spot welded to the bed sides.anyway I got the plywood out with careful use of a skillsaw, some strong language and brute force and fine things go together a little different than I figured.anyway all that was actually holding the bed to the trick was one bolt at the back.and I clamped a long channel to the bed top rails and hoisted it up so I can drive the truck out fom under it.now that I have it off I may re-consider removing the fenders if I can work them on the bed. but pretty sure I at the least need to remove the steps.got a little snow on the ground this morning. glad I have a shop to work in heat or not

You must be up in the panhandle of Texas to see snow?? Yes plywood has replaced many a bed floor. Sounds like you got a nice project to fix up.
The angle strips are spot welded to the bed. Are the rest of the bed strips there to put the boards back in the bottom?? I guess if there is no rust under the fenders where they bolt to the bed you can leave them on. Up north here that is one of the places usually rusted is between the bed sides and the rear fenders.
John

yes you
are right- about 60 miles from Amarillo. I think the bed sides and where the fenders meet are fine but the front of the fenders where they meet the steps are rusted. I'll for sure remove the steps and weld patch to the fenders and the right side step has rusted through-likely from some support plate being bolted to it in the past.this old truck saw time in Colorado before making it to new Mexico so I'm surprised it is as good as it is. I was just looking at the cab areas below the doors- the rust through on the lower rocker panels no doubt can be replaced with new panels- it did eat on through as far up as past the bend where the door seal is so I need to get it out that far for sure.I just located an old trailer made from a short bed GMC I need to go check out and see if the fenders might be better - but it is from somewhere in the mid to late 50's the fellow thought. and I don't know if the rear fenders were the same that far back or not. might be worth nthe trip to look at if they are the same.mine are repairable so unless they are pretty good I doubt I'll get it. my tailgate,bed body and supports are all there and good. just fenders and steps that need some attention-if it had a good rear end under it-might be worth something to someone. I just jacked up mine and rolled the driveshaft to see and it appears to be a 4.10 ratio. not much slack at all in it so no real need to get that I can see.

Usually the differentials are pretty stout in the trucks, maybe the u joints sometimes need attention. But sounds like yours are doing okay. 4:10, I'd have thought maybe 3:90.
I'm thinking the rear fenders are probably different, but not sure. Someone on here should know for sure.
Keep that snow down your way we don't need it..... LOL

John