Repainting the Champ and strange bed clamps

[jts359]

Last week I started stripping Laura's Champ. It had issues under the primer and needed work on the doors. The left door got a new lower panel and the right door got a new skin.I needed to move the bed back and look at the front clamps I found. The truck is just getting a paint job and not a restoration , Ed

[studegary]

Were the clamps clamping something or had they just been dropped into the space between the box and the cab sometime in the truck's life?

[StudeRich]

Front Clamps?

[studegary]

Front Clamps?

I agree with you here. They look like common C-clamps to me. Possibly, they were clamping something in the front (of the bed). At this point, I think that they were just dropped down in that slot at some point.

[LarkTruck]

Lookin' good Mr. Jones! I think those clamps are the optional "C" Cab front bed clamps.
JS

[jts359]

The clamps were holding the front of the bed to the frame . They did a good job as we put about 3000 miles on it since we got it , Ed

[jclary]

I love C Clamps and think they are one of the most valuable tools ever invented. However, no matter how good the quality, I don't think I would use them to hold a truck bed even if they were welded! Besides...the actual factory clamps were much more simple and effective. Of course, it is possible that a previous owner had been doing some work...got distracted, and forgot. Poor guy could still be wondering where his C clamps are???

[jts359]

The truck was painted in the 70's and parked in 1983 with a bad engine. Laura and I purchased it from his Widow three years ago , Does anyone have a pair of the original front clamps for sale ?, They are the same for C and T cabs I'm told , Ed

[Milaca]

I believe those tools are called 'Champ Clamps'.

[(S)]

The Champs had kind of an odd ball bolt/ clamping method originally to hold the box to the frame. They probably lost them..... not much else fits in there.

[52-fan]

I like what you've repaired. Always good to see a well used Stude getting some attention.

[doug]

Check the metal attach points that are spot welded tothe underside of the bed. I took my bed off and was able to pull two of them off by hand. Guess the spot welder was having a bad day.

[studegary]

The truck was painted in the 70's and parked in 1983 with a bad engine. Laura and I purchased it from his Widow three years ago , Does anyone have a pair of the original front clamps for sale ?, They are the same for C and T cabs I'm told , Ed

Was your truck from NJ? Was it a six cylinder that had received a V8?

[DieselJim]

The truck was painted in the 70's and parked in 1983 with a bad engine. Laura and I purchased it from his Widow three years ago , Does anyone have a pair of the original front clamps for sale ?, They are the same for C and T cabs I'm told , Ed

Saw some on a nail in my shop. Takes 2 in the front. I think the rear is bolted. PM for info.

[jts359]

Diesel Jim a P.M. was sent , Gary the truck was sold new in Newton N.J. to a Antique store in that area. And as far as I know its been here all its life. Its a six and will probably stay that way although I have started collecting parts to make it a 185 OHV . the trans is a 3 spd O.D. Ed