Wood Bed ??, Bed To Frame Bolts
 

Wood bed on 86' stepper had all the wood gone when I got it. Replacing the bed wood and have question on bed to frame bolts( FB), specific to the round spacers , used as a sleeve to form a direct metal connection for bed/frame bolts.
My bed wood came predrilled, however, diameter of hole for FB in the wood is to small for metal spacer. Also, the thickness of the recessed bed wood where the FB washer fits is greater then the spacers thickness.

Question, was the frame bolt washer as built, in direct contact with the spacer? ( I think they were)

And how much do you compress the bed wood to do this, in order to connect the bed to frame? ( very little, to not damage wood)

Also the metal bed wood strip bolts that connect to the cross supports help connect bed to frame too. ( looks like this is the main way bed is connect to frame)

The FBs were still in place on the truck before bed wood replacement, and all the hardware, were in direct contact.

Les

Re: Wood Bed ??, Bed To Frame Bolts
 

Another photo

Re: Wood Bed ??, Bed To Frame Bolts
 

Photo of rear bed/frame,

Early photo using IPad ,learning, truck was not upside down!

Re: Wood Bed ??, Bed To Frame Bolts
 

I think if it were mine I'd weld tabs with nuts into the crossmembers. Then you can use bolts from the bottom like newer trucks mount. I've never cared for a carriage bolt to begin with and they always seem to spin when you're trying to get them loose. Also, it'd clean up the bedfloor too