75/79 bed Modification Thread???

[MSGGrunt]

I've searched, but can't seem to find a thread that I saw where someone pointed out where to drill out the spot-welds to take the front portion of a 75/79 series bed off.

Anyone know of the thread I am talking about?

 

[MSGGrunt]

Found it...

https://forum.ih8mud.com/70-series-tech/456536-myth-busted-75-tray-vs-79-tray-fits.html

 

[MSGGrunt]

So, I am going to shorten the bed on my 79 to make it so it fits on my 80 series frame instead of extending the 80's frame and the brake lines, fuel lines, E brake cable driveshaft, etc...

Once I drill out the spot welds, how tough is it going to be to remove the head of the bed? How strong of a bond does the seam sealer cause? I assume this is the best place to shorten the bed as opposed to cutting out a section in the middle that would require stitch welding it back together and then all the body work and paint that goes along with it.

 

[MSGGrunt]

I have been told that a heat gun will soften the seam sealer enough to release the bond. I like this idea rather than cutting a 1 foot section out of the bed like in the pictures.

 

[FJ45]

I had no problem to get the seam sealer to let go....no heat at all. I rather spotweld in the corners than have a long weld on the side like the one on the pictures.

 

[MSGGrunt]

I agree. Just getting multiple opinions.