[AussieinNC]

I am attaching a pic of the bed board mounting showing how the wear strips are embedded into the bed wood...thanks to GMCpauls for the image...

There needs to be approx 1/2" - 5/8" inch gap between the two boards where the bolt goes thru, to allow for expansion of the wood due to moisture and weather etc.

The bolt should be 1/4"...so you should have approx 1/8" to 3/16" either side of the bolt shaft.

I always find it easier to not bolt down the 3rd board in from outer edge to the wheel covers until all of the bed planks are in place.