Our shipment, due to its size,...
Our shipment, due to its size, was shipped by a common carrier and packaged neatly on a wooden pallet.
Our C10 project truck began its life as a Stepside truck. The original bed was in such poor shape that we knew it would need to be replaced, so we decided that we would change the bed over to a Fleetside. At first we scoured the junkyards looking for a good, used replacement bed. We found that the beds that were inexpensive were in such poor shape that it would require way too much money to get it back in good working order. We also found that the ones that were in great shape were top dollar and would still require a fair amount of labor. So we decided that the best route for us was to order a replacement bed. We contacted Jamie Duncanson, Sales Manager at Brothers Trucks and placed our order. Within a few days, we received an email confirmation stating that our order was being shipped. The email provided us with a tracking number for our shipment. Several days later our bed arrived at our shop. Due to the size and weight of the shipment it is shipped by a common carrier. Brother’s ships this direct from their warehouse, so unless you plan on picking it up from there, this is the only way to get it to your house or shop. This will add several hundred dollars to the order depending on your location in the United States, so keep this in mind if you decide to go this route.
Another thing that is important to remember is that the replacement body pieces have not been test fit together before they are shipped out. A factory bed has already had all the alignment done when it was assembled at the factory. The replacement panels have not been put together so while they go together fairly easy, you have to plan on spending a little extra time fine tuning the fit. It took us almost as long to unbox, sort and check all the pieces as it did to put the bed together. This project can be done in your garage with the help of a friend in an afternoon with a minimal amount of tools.
Before you begin—remember—do not tighten the bolts all the way down until everything has been put together. CCT
To install the bed, a very...
To install the bed, a very small selection of tools is required. First, a tapered pry bar will make the job of matching and aligning the body panels a lot easier, while a socket set will handle tightening all the hardware.
We unboxed each piece and...
We unboxed each piece and inspected them for any damages. Here is our front panel, PN FBP72FS
Here are our two bedsides,...
Here are our two bedsides, PN BS72F00 …
...the Chevrolet logo tailgate,...
...the Chevrolet logo tailgate, PN TG67720
… and the metal shortbed floor,...
… and the metal shortbed floor, PN CBF720.
Here are all the pieces laid...
Here are all the pieces laid out ready for assembly.
We also ordered a complete...
We also ordered a complete bed bolt kit that includes all of the hardware to install each section.
Separating the hardware kit...
Separating the hardware kit by fastener type makes it easier to find what you’re looking for when the time comes to assemble the panels.
We noticed a slight bend in...
We noticed a slight bend in one of the panels. While it’s not required, Danny grabbed a set of calipers and measured to see how far off we were. A little hammer and dolly work is all that was required to straighten the panel.
The header panel is the first...
The header panel is the first piece to be installed. We began by bolting it to the bed floor via eleven carriage bolts.
The side bedside panels slide...
The side bedside panels slide between the front panel and the bed floor piece. We will need to separate the two. Once the bed is assembled and aligned, it will be disassembled for paint and bodywork, so we used a metal putty knife. If the panels are already painted you may want to use a plastic one.
Installing the bedside requires...
Installing the bedside requires two people; one to lift the panel and the other to align the panels and help slide it into place.
Once the panels have been...
Once the panels have been lifted onto the bed floor, we slide the tapered pry bar into the front panel to hold everything in place.
Next, we inserted the bolt...
Next, we inserted the bolt from the inside bed through the side body panel. We placed a washer, lock washer, and then the nut on it.
We continued down the panel,...
We continued down the panel, inserting the rest of our hardware before snugging each one up.
Next, we move inside and begin...
Next, we move inside and begin to align the bed floor bolts. Our tapered pry bar makes the job of aligning the pieces a lot simpler. You can see why you don’t tighten everything down until everything is bolted together.
The fit at the rear of the...
The fit at the rear of the bedside, to the floor, was a little tight. Rather than using the palm of our hand to hit the bedside panel into place (which could possibly cause a small dent), Danny grabbed a tapered wooden block and wooden hammer and lightly tapped the inside of our panel until the alignment was dead on. We dropped the last few bolts in and were done with the driver’s side.
There are four hex bolts that...
There are four hex bolts that connect the bedsides to the rear cross sill.
The passenger bedside goes...
The passenger bedside goes in just like the driver’s side, followed by the tailgate.
Pictured here is our completed...
Pictured here is our completed short bed, ready to be moved to our frame. But first, it’s important to do an initial check for square by measuring diagonally from one corner to the other. It may be necessary to rack the bedsides to bring everything to an acceptable tolerance before placing the bed on the frame. That’s why it’s important to keep all the fasteners a little loose. We only have the tailgate kit (PN TGCK72B) and the inner fenders (PN IWT5572) left to install but we will do those once we get the suspension installed and finished.