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Chevy c10 stake pocket seamless endcap install with rear alignment bolts
Update Your Stake
Bringing Your Chevy Task Force Stake Pockets to the Next Level
By Chuck Vranas Images by THE AUTHOR
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othing makes your classic truck stand out from the rest more than customization. It’s the personalizing of your ride through changes regardless of whether they are subtle—think stance along with wheel and tire combinations, or more advanced including sheetmetal fabrication, driveline upgrades, exotic bed wood, and even a cutting-edge chassis. Seeing that trucks were purpose-built mostly for utilitarian use, it’s easy to see there’s plenty of room for enhancement, including adding a bit of art to their lines.

On a recent visit to Chris Cerce Customs (CCC) in Taunton, Massachusetts, we were introduced to a 1956 Chevy Task Force truck that was in for a full build, including a Choppin’ Block Stage 3 Performance chassis, 755hp Chevrolet Performance LT5 supercharged V-8, and plenty of well-thought-out details that CCC is known for. When studying the fresh sheetmetal replacement bed from Classic Industries, it was a perfect opportunity to tidy up the back of the bed by updating the stake pocket areas while also incorporating a hidden tailgate latch kit to delete the unsightly chains and trunions. Let’s follow along as CCC team member John Breault works his metal magic to craft a truly subtle upgrade to the area, bringing it to the next level.

chevy c10 stake pocket weld-in fab rear bedside frame setup
Chevy c10 stake pocket vertical tape measure tailgate alignment check
1. Getting started, Chris Cerce Customs (CCC) team member, John Breault, began with taking measurements of the stake pocket area and tailgate to fabricating a filler panel to create a perfect balance of both areas.
chevy c10 stake pocket horizontal tape measure width tolerance layout
chevy c10 stake pocket sheet metal layout scribe and sharpie lines
2-3. The measurements were then transferred to 18-gauge sheet steel.
chevy c10 stake pocket brake press bend sheet for fab panel
4. The panel was then trimmed using a foot-operated sheetmetal shear. The section was then bent to specification with a sheetmetal brake.
chevy c10 stake pocket fab part shaped hand-formed with angled return
5. Here you can see the finished filler panel ready for fitment to the stake pocket area.
chevy c10 stake pocket tack weld passenger side fitment with tailgate
6. With any needed adjustments completed, the panel was first tacked in place and then finished using a MIG welder.
chevy c10 stake pocket top cap weld joint seam inspection
7. Here you’re able to see the difference with the addition of the filler panel on just how nice it balances the area to the tailgate.
chevy c10 stake pocket machined bung bolt washer assembly detail
8. The stock lower replacement trunions will be modified to be mounted on the inner side of the stake pocket. Here you can see the replacement unit from Classic Industries (from their hidden tailgate latch kit) along with fresh hardware and section of 1-inch od mild steel pipe.
chevy c10 stake pocket bolt tube prep in drill with fixture
9. Once measured for placement, the fresh filler panel was secured in a bench vise. A 1-inch hole saw was then used to open access for the pipe section fitment.
chevy c10 stake pocket scribe mark transfer tube to plate layout
10. The steel pipe section was then set in place, measured, and marked for fitment using a scribe.
chevy c10 stake pocket tube cut-off prep with angle grinder and sparks
11. Using a cutoff wheel, while wearing safety glasses, the pipe section was trimmed and deburred to prepare it for the next step.
chevy c10 stake pocket weld tube to bracket on workbench MIG
12. The pipe section was then tacked in place using a MIG welder. Once test-fitted, the final welding was completed.
chevy c10 stake pocket surface prep disc set with astro die grinder
chevy c10 stake pocket weld cleanup with roloc disc spark shower
13-14. To bring the filler panel update to completion the welded area goes through several steps. Surface prep starts with 36- to 80-grit and then a Scotch-Brite disc.
chevy c10 stake pocket orbital sander finish with mirka pad tool
15. To complete the surface prep, a D/A was used for final finishing with 80-grit. The inner-hole area was also hand-filed to ensure perfect balance and flow for its use.
13-14. To bring the filler panel update to completion the welded area goes through several steps. Surface prep starts with 36- to 80-grit and then a Scotch-Brite disc.
15. To complete the surface prep, a D/A was used for final finishing with 80-grit. The inner-hole area was also hand-filed to ensure perfect balance and flow for its use.
chevy c10 stake pocket weld-through primer applied to inner seam
16. All internal areas of the stake pocket and fresh filler panel were then masked and treated to a coating of self-etching weld-through primer and allowed to thoroughly dry before the next step.
chevy c10 stake pocket bolt tube and frame notch close-up fit
17. The filler panel was then tacked into place using a MIG welder. Here you can see just how nice the hidden mounting area was finished.
chevy c10 stake pocket final tack weld frame to bedside joint
18. The MIG welding of the filler panel was then completed, allowing ample time for proper metal cooling while the job proceeded.
chevy c10 stake pocket bolt install with ratchet final fit torque
19. The trunion was then installed to check for final fitment.
chevy c10 stake pocket custom rolled rail mock-up test fit
20. Next, it was time to tidy up the bedside end-hole area and give it a fresh new look.
chevy c10 stake pocket paper template form test endcap match
21. To create a filler template for the area, masking tape was used and trimmed closely with a razor knife.
chevy c10 stake pocket sharpie trace pattern on steel sheet
22. The template was carefully removed, adhered to a section of 18-gauge sheet steel, and marked using a Sharpie.
chevy c10 stake pocket Beverly shear metal cutout curved edge
23. A Beverly shear and band saw were then used to carefully cut out the section and prepare it for installation once finished with a grinder.
chevy c10 stake pocket endcap tacked in place with round reveal
24. The filler piece was then test-fitted using magnets. Once confirmed, the end-hole area and back of the panel were coated with self-etching weld-through primer and allowed to dry. The panel was then tacked in place using a MIG welder.
chevy c10 stake pocket inside view endcap primer edge fit
25. To complete the transformation and add a perfect flow to the area underneath the end-hole a filler template was fashioned using masking tape.
chevy c10 stake pocket mallet shaping endcap detail form
26. The template was transferred to a section of 18-gauge sheet steel and then hammer formed to fit.
chevy c10 stake pocket endcap fully welded and ground smooth
chevy c10 stake pocket final weld blend and cleanup complete
27-28. The filler piece was then test-fitted, tack welded in place, and completed with a MIG welder.
26. The template was transferred to a section of 18-gauge sheet steel and then hammer formed to fit.
27-28. The filler piece was then test-fitted, tack welded in place, and completed with a MIG welder.
chevy c10 stake pocket roloc grind cleanup finish work
29. With all welding completed, it was time to start the final metal finishing starting with 36-grit then onto 80-grit till completing it with a D/A with 80-grit.
chevy c10 stake pocket snap-on die grinder final detail on endcap
30. To properly metal finish the underside of the end-hole area, a Dynabrade air-powered belt sander with pivoting head and 1/2-inch-wide belt was used to bring a mirror-like finish to the area.
chevy c10 stake pocket rolled rail smoothed and fully finished cap
31. The completed area brought a once utilitarian stake pocket to a totally new level, giving the bed of the truck a truly enhanced look, and we dig it!
SOURCES
Chris Cerce Customs
(774) 263-1306
chriscercecustoms.com
Classic Industries
(800) 854-1280
classicindustries.com
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