Exterior P/U Floor Replacement

[JohnHavla]

I'd appreciate the help if anyone has experience with replacing a 68-72 bed floor. NOTE: I'm referencing the exterior floor bed, not the interior.

I have a '72 K20. Basically a very straight original truck but it needs some restoration. The only major body work is on the exterior P/U bed floor. Mine has a lot of rust as the PO had trash in the bed.

My buddy has offered me the floor off of his '68 which is both free and in very good shape.

The problem we are having is with the carriage bolt removals. There are approximately 50 carriage bolts that hold the bed "Floor" down. The main issue we are having is that the square portion of all the carriage bolts on my friend's '68 are much smaller that the holes in the body of his truck. As a result they all "spin" while we are trying to remove them.

It seems like GM used the wrong size bolts as both the diameter and bolt shoulder height are at least 1/8 inch too small. (We joked that his truck must have been made on a Friday after lunch!)

We plan on replacing all the carriage bolts with new hardware on my '72 K20.

My question is: Is there an easy way to get these old rusted bolts off? We have no problem with them being destroyed in the process.

Also, if anyone has similar experience or can point me to a past thread on this subject it would be greatly appreciated.

Sincerest thanks,

John

[sduckworth13]

Drill them out, as much as a pain it is that is what I had to do.

[sduckworth13]

You can use a cutoff wheel on most of the bolts though, but a drill for the bolts in a tight spot.

[JohnHavla]

Scott,

Many thanks, we were using vice grips on the head (worked on a few) and also a pry bar to hold the bolt tight enough to remove the rusted nut. We've removed about 20 so far. I'll add your recommendations to the list.

I can't wait to get into my K20 bed as I have a feeling it will be even worse.

Thanks again.

John