How to Replace a Pickup Truck Bed
by Russell WoodTruck beds always seem to get damaged in one way or another, and sometimes it's cheaper to replace a damaged bed instead of trying to fix it. Junkyards always have truck beds available. Here, it was a truck bed from a 2001 Chevrolet Silverado.
Step 1
First, use the 1/4 ratchet and Torx sockets to remove the three screws that hold on the gas nozzle inside of the gas door.
Step 2
Use a 3/8 ratchet and 10mm socket to remove the ground strap that's mounted on the driver's side forward bed mount toward the rear of the cab.
Step 3
Go to the rear of the truck and disconnect the taillight harness from the rear block that all of the light harnesses connect to. Make sure that all wiring on the bed is disconnected. These harnesses are generally connected to the cab with easy to release clips, so a flathead screwdriver and minimal force will also work.
Step 4
Use a 3/8 ratchet and undo all eight of the bolts that secure the bed to the frame. If the bolts are stubborn to remove, use some penetrating oil on the bolt then try again. If need be, use an impact wrench.
Step 5
With the help of a few friends, lift the bed off of the truck and set aside. Be careful that no wires are still connected to the vehicle when lifting and that nothing is holding up the bed.
Step 6
Place the replacement bed on the truck. Installation is the reverse of removal.
Tips
- Often replacement beds can be found at a junkyard, but if not, check out sites such as Craigslist.org and Ebay to find beds for your truck. Generally trucks come in body styles that last for a few years, so do some research and find out what years your truck's body style was manufactured and figure out what will be interchangeable. For example, in this article we refer to a 2001 Chevrolet Silverado. That body style is the same from 1999-2007, so any of those replacement beds will work just fine. If the you can't find one in the color you need, bolt on the bed and take the completed truck to a body shop and let it do the paint matching.
Things You'll Need
- 3/8 ratchet and socket set
- Torx sockets
- 1/4 ratchet (for torx sockets)
- Flathead screwdriver
- Electric or pneumatic impact wrench
Warnings
- Truck beds can be pretty heavy, so make sure you have lots of help. Use proper lifting techniques to remove and reinstall the bed.
Writer Bio
Russell Wood is a writer and photographer who attended Arizona State University. He has been building custom cars and trucks since 1994, including several cover vehicles. In 2000 Wood started a career as a writer, and since then he has dedicated his business to writing and photographing cars and trucks, as well as helping people learn more about how vehicles work.
