Replacing bed support rails on my S10 / Sonoma

How I replaced the bed support rails on my second generation S-series using 2" x 2" 0.062 wall square tubing, and some 3/16" thick, 1.5" wide plate.

[@crisitanc5666]

This is the best video i’ve watched all the other ones are with fords and the kits that actually do sell, cant find any for chevy so i have to do the same as you great video, heat and speed on welder ? Don’t want to burn through since this well be my first time welding 😂

[@GetDirty2407]

Thank you! I don't have exact settings, I'm running an eastwood 135amp 120VAC welder, so there's not really translatable settings. "D" volts and "5-6" wire speed. Around the recommended settings on the welder. I used .023 ER 70S-6 wire. For welding the rails to the bed, I ran the wire fast and voltage low. It took fiddling around, but it was a fine line between the wire just popping and burning through. But I was a production welder for years so I have that experience. Keep trying, you'll get it!

[@crisitanc5666]

@@GetDirty2407 forsure thanks i’m going to be using the 125 flux core titanium from hf i’ll give those settings a try. Thanks once again

[@GetDirty2407]

If you don't want to burn through, try putting a chunk of aluminum or brass on the other side to act as a heat sink, and it will also stop the weld from "dripping" through to the other side.

[@crisitanc5666]

@@GetDirty2407 i will definitely do that thanks

[@racerx2084]

Great idea in the jig to keep everything in line. I just got a set of dorman bed supports for my 1500hd Silverado. Was going to be making alot of measurements but the jig idea is great. Also was thinking about doing a couple of tack welds on the supports then test fitting then pulling back off to finish. I did my chassis with the por15. Great stuff definitely dont want to get it on your ski or you end up wearing it for a while.

[@GetDirty2407]

Everything lined up afterwards, I just need to add some shims on the passanger side (as predicted) and the driver's side is too high, and I might end up shimming the body mount on the cab. But, the jig worked perfectly, if you have the materials to make it.

[@digthis3169]

Anyone watching this go to your local welding/fab shop find a guy named bill or terry or Jeff and hand him a drawing of the pieces you need and violá you’ve now found a place that sells these rails. I got mine for free because I said the magic words “it’s no rush” which automatically makes this a rush job because welders are much happier helping someone than making the boss money

[@ffgrif]

Nice job!

[@GetDirty2407]

Thanks! It did line right up, but I did need to shim the passenger side. At the end of the Caddy taillights ep3 video I put the bed back on the truck.

[@justinbeigh75]

Thanks for the help!!!

[@GetDirty2407]

I wish someone would just sell replacements!

[@quentalus6716]

Pneuma playing in the background, nice

[@GetDirty2407]

Yessir.

[@charlesgeorge2197]

Got a question, my truck crossmembers are also shot, been looking at them on amazon and FeEbay and the dorman ones are near 500.oo PLUS got to buy the hardware extra, there are other sellers who selling same for around 150-179 and they include the hardware. Are they the same quality and will fit or are they very cheap and tinny poor quality?

[@GetDirty2407]

I really cannot answer that. Honestly, if there were direct replacements for my S10, I might have just got them, but this truck was junk so if it failed, would not have been a loss for me. Thank you for watching, wish I had better answers for ya!

[@crisitanc5666]

Also you weld saying where you got the square tubing cant seem to get anywhere locally or ebay . Are those weld nuts for a m8 bolt to thread on or?

[@GetDirty2407]

I was saying I couldn't find the bent channel like the OEM bed supports, so I used square tubing instead. I got the square tubing from a metal supplier real easy. The weld nuts are M8 but I have a "thoughts on" follow up video where I mentioned I should have used just flange nuts from a hardware store. They are M10 1.5 thread, pretty common metric thread.

[@GetDirty2407]

This is that follow up video kzbin.info/www/bejne/nJm4knyIhbOjl9E

[@RedDFilm]

Hello Dirty J - please slow down your camera movements, slow and easy J :) with respect :) Nice work!

[@GetDirty2407]

I'm a no dollar budget newbie with a camera phone. I'd fire my camera guy, but I don't have one :D kidding. Thanks for the input!

[@VanHalenEVH5150]

Where did you get the spot weld drill bit?

[@GetDirty2407]

Harbor Freight or Eastwood