When building a "NEW" bed.............Where do you start???? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Deuce · 10-13-2005, 12:56 AM

I am building a "NEW" short fleetside bed using mostly aftermarket parts. I have all the pieces, just not to sure where to start??
Any ideas??
Thanks.

72 CustomCamper · 10-13-2005, 12:59 AM

Steel or wood floor?

Chuck

Deuce · 10-13-2005, 01:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 72 CustomCamper

Steel or wood floor?

Chuck

Sorry. Wood floor.

68_396Noel · 10-13-2005, 03:21 AM

so what you need to do is choose what wood you want to use and then stain and seal the pieces and depending if you are going to have this truck go off road or stay in the garage and in from the rain then you might rhino-line the underside. take a look at these decks they are really nice.

.030over · 10-13-2005, 06:03 AM

I will be doing the same thing on my '67 SWB fleet with all new parts soon. If anyone has done this, with some pictures, i would like to see it go to the FAQ section. I guess there is nothing magical about it. Just nice to see how others have done it first!
Scott

demi · 10-13-2005, 07:42 AM

This pic shows the prefitting of the boards to mark holes and check
overall placement with steel strips. This is probably the most important step.
Trial fit everything.

The bed was tore down, and in my case, I painted the steel strips.

Then I began sanding and finishing the wood after the holes were drilled.

hope this helps

Joe67 · 10-13-2005, 08:07 AM

Very nice install

You had to drill the holes yourself? I thought these came pre-cut, pre-drilled, etc?

68C15 · 10-13-2005, 09:43 AM

if you want to know the order of assembly I would say the order to go is
cross sills,wood floor, wheel wells, bed sides, front panel, tail gate. i think you would need a helper to align the bed sides & front panel.
I suggest doing a trial fit of everything before applying any finish. and take lots of pics during the "mock-up" to share & for future reference. (FAQ submission).
I would also do the whole thing on the truck frame so that it all lines up with the frame holes.

67ChevyRedneck · 10-13-2005, 11:01 AM

^That's how my dad and I put my stepside bed back together.

Deuce · 10-13-2005, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 68C15

if you want to know the order of assembly I would say the order to go is
cross sills,wood floor, wheel wells, bed sides, front panel, tail gate. i think you would need a helper to align the bed sides & front panel.
I suggest doing a trial fit of everything before applying any finish. and take lots of pics during the "mock-up" to share & for future reference. (FAQ submission).
I would also do the whole thing on the truck frame so that it all lines up with the frame holes.

Thanks alot!!

MAR-Ktech · 10-13-2005, 12:56 PM

We have an installation instruction for converting to wood floor. http://www.mar-k.com/67-72conv.pdf It is useful for putting the bed back together whether or not you are converting to wood. As was mentioned, it is very important to trial fit everything before painting, especially if you are using a lot of new or aftermarket parts. We suggest doing the wood after the metal is fitted. There are many suppliers of bed wood, some of them drill the bed to frame mounting holes. Mar-K wood comes cut to length and width with proper grooves and cutouts for the wheels. Our wood may be ordered with or without bed-to-frame holes predrilled, and hidden bed to frame holes are available. I think you will have to locate and drill the bed side/wheel tub holes for wood from most suppliers. We have other installation information including wood finish tests. http://www.mar-k.com/installation_hints.html Good luck on your project.

Mar-Ktech

68C15 · 10-13-2005, 02:13 PM

kool, I was hoping you would chime in with some professionla advice. thanks.

legends · 10-13-2005, 02:25 PM

i am also getting ready to build a fleetside wood floor bed using all repro. parts. I hope to see progress pictures.

4tiresngas · 10-13-2005, 02:26 PM

I built my stepside from all reproduction parts. I started with the front panel and bedsides and the rear sill. Put everything together finger tight. Then make sure you measure corner to corner and ensure the bed is square before tightening everything down (don't ask me how I know). I had everything assembled and the wood was the last thing to go in. I did it with the help of my stepson and his friend. It really wasn't too hard. Good luck.

MAR-Ktech · 10-13-2005, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 68C15

kool, I was hoping you would chime in with some professional advice. thanks.

Glad to help. Feel free to pm or email us if we need to respond to a question. Unfortunately, we don't get to read all posts on a timely basis and may not see it in time. We do check messages frequently.

Mar-Ktech

weasel29gm · 10-13-2005, 05:56 PM

Demi thats a nice lookin' box in your truck!!

Deuce · 10-14-2005, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MAR-Ktech

Glad to help. Feel free to pm or email us if we need to respond to a question. Unfortunately, we don't get to read all posts on a timely basis and may not see it in time. We do check messages frequently.

Mar-Ktech

Thank You for the info!!!

Riles72 · 10-16-2005, 06:27 PM

On my stepside, we did the front panel to the bedsides first, then the rear cross sill. After that, we mounted the cross sills, then finally the tailgate. The wood was the last thing to go in since it was highly highly highly finished and we were afraid it'd be scratched.

10-13-2005, 12:56 AM	#1
Deuce Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Calgary, Alberta,Canada Posts: 1,595	When building a "NEW" bed.............Where do you start???? I am building a "NEW" short fleetside bed using mostly aftermarket parts. I have all the pieces, just not to sure where to start?? Any ideas?? Thanks. __________________ I know what your thinking.......I have ESPN. Sometimes it's easier to do things the hard way. Fesler Built 1968 Chevy C10....Must resist the urge to mess with it!!

10-13-2005, 12:59 AM	#2
72 CustomCamper huh ??? Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Fredericksburg,Va. Posts: 3,369	Steel or wood floor? Chuck __________________ 90 Blazer Silverado 350w/ 700R4 and 32" Kelly's "I am a bomb technician. If you see me running try to keep up!"

10-13-2005, 03:21 AM	#4
68_396Noel Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 37	so what you need to do is choose what wood you want to use and then stain and seal the pieces and depending if you are going to have this truck go off road or stay in the garage and in from the rain then you might rhino-line the underside. take a look at these decks they are really nice. Attached Images Last edited by 68_396Noel; 10-13-2005 at 03:23 AM.

10-13-2005, 06:03 AM	#5
.030over Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Maryland Posts: 129	Also interested I will be doing the same thing on my '67 SWB fleet with all new parts soon. If anyone has done this, with some pictures, i would like to see it go to the FAQ section. I guess there is nothing magical about it. Just nice to see how others have done it first! Scott __________________ '67 SWB big block project '85 C60 school bus motorhome conversion

10-13-2005, 07:42 AM	#6
demi Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Arizona Posts: 305	This pic shows the prefitting of the boards to mark holes and check overall placement with steel strips. This is probably the most important step. Trial fit everything. The bed was tore down, and in my case, I painted the steel strips. Then I began sanding and finishing the wood after the holes were drilled. hope this helps Last edited by demi; 10-13-2005 at 07:44 AM.

10-13-2005, 08:07 AM	#7
Joe67 67 is sold Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Troy, Michigan Posts: 6,738	Very nice install You had to drill the holes yourself? I thought these came pre-cut, pre-drilled, etc? __________________ Joe - Formerly 67c10step ------------------------------- 1967 Chevy Stepside - ECE 4/6, fuelcell, 5lug - SOLD gr8lakes - My ebay auctions Click here to order forum apparel :: Click here to become a subscribing member

10-13-2005, 09:43 AM	#8
68C15 blood type; Retumbo Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: next to my reloading bench Posts: 10,269	if you want to know the order of assembly I would say the order to go is cross sills,wood floor, wheel wells, bed sides, front panel, tail gate. i think you would need a helper to align the bed sides & front panel. I suggest doing a trial fit of everything before applying any finish. and take lots of pics during the "mock-up" to share & for future reference. (FAQ submission). I would also do the whole thing on the truck frame so that it all lines up with the frame holes. __________________ Man rule #77...if you own a 67 stepside with a caddy 472 you will never be in danger of loosing you man card

10-13-2005, 11:01 AM	#9
67ChevyRedneck Hittin E-Z Street on Mud Tires Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 23,090	^That's how my dad and I put my stepside bed back together. __________________ Jesse James 1967 C10 SWB Stepside: 350/700R4/3.73 1965 Ford Mustang: 289/T5-5spd/3.25 Trac-Loc 1968 Pontiac Firebird: Project Fire Chicken! 2015 Silverado Double Cab 5.3L Z71 2001 Jeep Wrangler Sport 4.0L 5spd 2020 Chevrolet Equinox Premium 2.0L Turbo 2011 Mustang V6 ~ Wife's ride American Born, Country by the Grace of God 1967 CST Shop Truck Rebuild! My 1967 C-10 Build Thread My Vintage Air A/C Install Project "On a Dime" Trying my hand at Home Renovation! 1965 Mustang Modifications!

10-13-2005, 12:56 PM	#11
MAR-Ktech Truck Parts Mfg. Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 697	Bed Assembly We have an installation instruction for converting to wood floor. http://www.mar-k.com/67-72conv.pdf It is useful for putting the bed back together whether or not you are converting to wood. As was mentioned, it is very important to trial fit everything before painting, especially if you are using a lot of new or aftermarket parts. We suggest doing the wood after the metal is fitted. There are many suppliers of bed wood, some of them drill the bed to frame mounting holes. Mar-K wood comes cut to length and width with proper grooves and cutouts for the wheels. Our wood may be ordered with or without bed-to-frame holes predrilled, and hidden bed to frame holes are available. I think you will have to locate and drill the bed side/wheel tub holes for wood from most suppliers. We have other installation information including wood finish tests. http://www.mar-k.com/installation_hints.html Good luck on your project. Mar-Ktech __________________ GET MAR-K Quality! Restoration and Custom Pickup Parts for Chevy, GMC, Ford, Dodge and Custom Trucks

10-13-2005, 02:13 PM	#12
68C15 blood type; Retumbo Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: next to my reloading bench Posts: 10,269	kool, I was hoping you would chime in with some professionla advice. thanks. __________________ Man rule #77...if you own a 67 stepside with a caddy 472 you will never be in danger of loosing you man card

10-13-2005, 02:25 PM	#13
legends Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: lebanon pa Posts: 81	i am also getting ready to build a fleetside wood floor bed using all repro. parts. I hope to see progress pictures.

10-13-2005, 02:26 PM	#14
4tiresngas An American Soldier Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Grumolo D' Abadessee, Italy Posts: 503	I built my stepside from all reproduction parts. I started with the front panel and bedsides and the rear sill. Put everything together finger tight. Then make sure you measure corner to corner and ensure the bed is square before tightening everything down (don't ask me how I know). I had everything assembled and the wood was the last thing to go in. I did it with the help of my stepson and his friend. It really wasn't too hard. Good luck. __________________ Dan dan.brue@us.army.mil

10-13-2005, 05:56 PM	#16
weasel29gm SLOW BUT SURE,BUT CLOSER Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: eleanor wv usa Posts: 3,094	Demi thats a nice lookin' box in your truck!! __________________ 69 C-10, OWNED 38YRS... 350 over 30, 350 Turbo, 3:73 Posi P/S, P/B Black with red and black int. ''LOVE THESE OLD ''TRUCKS.......

10-16-2005, 06:27 PM	#18
Riles72 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Chickasha, Oklahoma Posts: 117	Re: When building a "NEW" bed.............Where do you start???? On my stepside, we did the front panel to the bedsides first, then the rear cross sill. After that, we mounted the cross sills, then finally the tailgate. The wood was the last thing to go in since it was highly highly highly finished and we were afraid it'd be scratched. __________________ 72 Chevy short stepside 350/350 tilt, vintage air a/c sunset Orange Metallic paint Early Classic 2.5/4 drop eagle series 211 wheels

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