need your advise

[drewfever1020]

whats the best way to reassemble a short step bed together?
i have my bed taken apart and im going to prime it pretty soon.
im going to paint it a gloss white. should i put it together then paint it as a bed or should i paint it in parts? also when im putting it back on the frame should i build it on the frame or should i put it on as a whole?
also if u guys have instructions on how to reassemble lmk.
thanks

[burke117]

i have a 68 stepside I just put back together. I painted my fenders separate from the bedsides. however I painted the front panel and bedsides as one piece. when I reassembled it I put the framework on the frame then got a friend to help me put on the fenders. I don't know if this is the right way but it worked out pretty good. Be careful when mounting those fenders (get a friend with steady hands)

[drewfever1020]

haa cool thnks man ya i was thinking about the same way haha put the framework then the bedsides and then the fenders last anyone else outthere think they have a better way?

[drewfever1020]

anyone else?

[Fitz]

When I did mine I completely disassembled the bed. The cab was removed from the frame for paint then re-installed. Next I put on each of the bedsides followed by step hangers and steps. Since i used a wood bed, the bottom was open. It took three of us to hang the fenders. Two holding and one running bolts & fasteners from below. Tail gate was last. See Pics:

[gkesseru]

I have done this several times. Bolt together the front, sides and rear crossmember to paint. Paint the fenders separately. When it comes time to reassemble, you can do the whole assembly off the truck on a couple of sawhorses with 2X4s across the bottom of the fenders. It takes two persons (min) to put the fenders on. Make sure you clamp the supports to the sawhorses so it wont fall off. You will need several strong friends or a way to hoist to get it back on. It will have to get high enough for the fenders to clear the tires. When I put it back on, I drape a large blanket over the entire cab to protect the tape. I use a long tapered rod to help align the bed to the holes. Go slow and it's not too hard.

[drewfever1020]

im gonna be putting plywood for now so u think i should put the cross sills bolted to the frame then put the plywood then bedsides on?

[knsmodels]

good luck...

[burke117]

when I replaced my floor, I opted to use 3/4" oak plywood and finished it and it looks great and custom. I will find a photo and post it for your opinions.

[gkesseru]

The bolts go through the wood, cross sills and the frame, so DO NOT bolt the cross sill to the frame first. The bolts are carriage bolts that go into a large washer with the square hole off center so the washer wont spin. The wood needs to have a recess cut for the washer to keep the washer from spinning over the top of the wood.