i want to take the side pockets off of the bed so i can derust and paint, then put them back on. can i drill the rivits out or is their a better way?
For most people drilling is okay. Just make sure that you center the drill on each rivet. An alternative is to grind off the head or "tail" and then punch them out. In that case only grind flat to the metal or a teensy bit high. You don't want to distort the hole or cut into the base metal.
how do you put them back in?
Get the correct size rivet and then heat the "tail", buck the head and using a peening tool hammer them tight. A pneumatic hammer has worked best for me. You can get the tools from several suppliers.
can i just make a tool to peen them down?
You can make the tool or buy it from one of several sources Big Flats Rivet Company is one source. Click on the link
Big Flats for more information. You can also buy rivets from Model A suppliers and also the bucking tools.
and were can you get them?
See above.
