hello. im restoring 71 elky ss small block
had local body shop replace quart.floor pans and got the top ready for vinyl. brought her home so i could do some things at home replacing bed was the firs on my mind already took first small section off behind
rear window. how is large section attached to body ? there had been a patch job in bed sometime in the past if any one could help would be greatly appreciated thanks !!


had local body shop replace both new quart.

It is spot welded (Go slow, or you can damage the sides of the bed). We made an exact pattern out of "Heavy" cardboard before we removed the bed. We also removed all of the metal supports under it. Be sure to take several pictures. We used our digital camera, and we can look at the pictures for reference.

We are replacing all of the supports with aluminum "C" shaped beams, plus the bed aluminum is in 6 panels (With "V" shapes for strength every 6"). Therefore, we can remove a panel to get at the battery (Behind passenger in the smugglers area), or get to the BMR Suspension pieces, etc.

We also have the fuel cell mounted against the back metal beam (Very back of the bed), and the beams go around it.

As soon as the fabricator welds a couple of the mounting pieces to 4 of the beams, we will finish installing all of the beams, cut and fit the aluminum bed panels, and take several digital pictures to post on the site. We will also be able to email any Team Members pictures if they are interested.

We decided to go this way, as when we added up the cost(s) of buying the 2 piece replacement panels, then beadblast or sandblast everything, then paint all of it, we felt this would work out to about the same price in terms of $$$s. We do all of the cutting and fitting, drilling, bolting, etc (We have a construction background).

Plus, we will lightly sandblast/beadblast all of the beams and panels, and probably coat them in VHT CLEAR (Powdercoating is to expensive for our budget).

Hope this gives you and option or 2.

By the way, the company that did the actual fabrication work is top notch, and we felt the price(s) were fair.



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Team Members Forever #341

Richard, Judy, MAXX2

'69 Elke (Frame Off); GM HO 350/330-Mildly Ported Vortec Heads-Manley Severe Duty SS 2.02/1.60 Valves, Comp Cams Full Roller Package (Magnum)-Custom Grind CS 3315/3316 HR112-.510/.520 Lift, Edelbrock Air-Gap W/750 Performer Manual Choke-Performer 100 HP NOS, March Pulleys, 4L60 (Non Computer) W/Lokar Shifter, 12 Bolt Posi.