How to Remove a Pickup Bed With a Loader

When we need a clean pickup box at the yard, we lift it straight off the frame with a loader and chains. Hook the chains to the bed's stake pockets and tie-down points, run them under the bed, take the weight on the loader, and the whole box lifts free in one piece. Here's exactly how we do it.

What you'll need

  • A loader, forklift, or hoist
  • Heavy lift chains
  • Work gloves

Step 1: Hook the chains to the bed

Lay the lift chains out in the bed, hook them to the stake pockets and tie-down points, and run them under the bed so the box lifts level.

Laying lift chains out in a pickup bed

Hooking a lift chain to the bed

Step 2: Take the weight on the loader

Gather the chains and hook them to the loader. The bed should hang level once the chains take up.

Lift chains from the pickup bed hooked to the loader

Step 3: Lift the bed off the frame

Lift slowly - the whole box rises straight off the frame in one piece. Steady it by hand as it comes free so it doesn't swing.

GIF: lifting a pickup bed straight off the truck frame

Pickup bed rising off the truck frame

Step 4: The box is off

The bed hangs level from the chains, fully off the truck. That's the whole job.

Pickup box suspended by chains, fully off the truck

What to check on the replacement

  • Bed length: short, standard, and long boxes are not interchangeable - measure yours or match the cab and bed combo.
  • Rust: check the bed floor, wheel arches, and crossmembers - these rust from the inside out.
  • Tailgate and lights: decide whether you need the tailgate, taillights, and hardware included, since boxes sell both ways.

We pull clean pickup boxes regularly - browse our used OEM exterior parts here. Every one is photographed as-is so you can see the exact condition before you buy.

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