82 4x4 Bed Removal

[raptome]

If anyone has removed the bed off their truck can you tell me if it's as easy as it looks. It doesn't appear too difficult from looking underneath but I just know that nothing is ever as easy as it seems, at least for me. I found a really sweet bed from the same year and model truck and I'm hoping to be able to do the the swap. Any tips, tricks or advice is appreciated.

[jimbo74]

its easy... there are 6 or 8 bolts... just disconnect the wiring harness from the lights and take the gas filler neck off before lifting

some exhuast systems might be tied into the bed, so watch out for that too (if it is, it would be like a welded hanger or something)

[raptome]

I'm glad you mentioned the filler neck, I never thought about that, thanks

its easy... there are 6 or 8 bolts... just disconnect the wiring harness from the lights and take the gas filler neck off before lifting

some exhuast systems might be tied into the bed, so watch out for that too (if it is, it would be like a welded hanger or something)

[KDXSR5]

And they are light! at least the 2nd and 3rd gen beds are. I can lift one by myself and move it a little, but it only takes 2 people to move it around farther than just a couple feet. I would think that 1st gen beds are the same. Like jimbo said, disconnect light harness and disconnect filler neck. Take it easy and watch for any wires a previous owner may have grounded to the bed. Good luck!

[79coyotefrg]

no Todd,  1st gen beds are a bit heavier

i prefer  removing the 3 large screws  from the filler  behind the little door, then remove the cap,  bed comes off real easy  after that

[jimbo74]

no Todd,  1st gen beds are a bit heavier

i prefer  removing the 3 large screws  from the filler  behind the little door, then remove the cap,  bed comes off real easy  after that

i never had a problem moving any of my beds by myself.... an extra person helped, but i did move them all by myself, first gen 4x4 bed, first gen 4x4 bed bobbed, second gen 4x2 bed (all shortbeds)

if i remember, the secodn gens were heavier, because they have an inner wall, that the first gens do not have

[raptome]

another good point, people do ground things just about everywhere, thanks!

And they are light! at least the 2nd and 3rd gen beds are. I can lift one by myself and move it a little, but it only takes 2 people to move it around farther than just a couple feet. I would think that 1st gen beds are the same. Like jimbo said, disconnect light harness and disconnect filler neck. Take it easy and watch for any wires a previous owner may have grounded to the bed. Good luck!

[raptome]

thanks to all who posted  the bed swap was super easy. 8 mounting spots, the filler neck and unplugging the lights was all it took. it lined up perfectly! took two of us to get it up there but it was just super easy and I think I only used the 17mm, 10mm, and a phillips screwdriver.

[Yoat Goat]

Sweet sweet.