Wood bed replacement kits - How hard are they to install?

[57rookie]

On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the toughest - how hard are the wood bed and metal strip kits to install in the 55 to 57 Chevy.

[solidaxel]

I have put a few new ones in the AD trucks, Score about a 1.5 .
If you try to do it in one setting, laying on your back you will have sore muscels in your sholders tomorrow!!
Should be new wood test fitted ( all the boards and strips no nuts & washers yet) Go for it if all the strips fit. Tighten in circular pattern with three passes.

HOW MANY bolts are there !!!

[57rookie]

Thanks solidaxel. I think I will order all the parts right after I strip the old ones out. I envision siezed bolts being an issue.

[solidaxel]

You are not re using any of the hardware. You know it is easier to remove the bed and remove all the old hardware, it it is not off the truck now.
Save your self time and remove it with a air wrench, yes they will brake with a air wrench.
Order the bolt kit with the new parts.

[57rookie]

Yep, I was planning on removing the bed. The bed mounting bolts to the frame are new so they will come off with no issue but the wood, steel strips and the rest of the bolts are all original as far as I can tell. I will definately be getting new hardware kit with the strips.

[tmoble]

stand the bed up on the back on a couple furniture pads or whatever. just break the old bolts off with an impact wrench and yard the stuff out of there.

[DransportGarage]

Originally Posted by solidaxel

<snip>...HOW MANY bolts are there !!!

I just asked this question of Mar-K yesterday. For a '55 2nd series shortbed, here's their answer:

Qty: 48 -- 1/4"-20 x 1-1/4" (for the strips) - $22.77 for 50, p/n 1174221
Qty 14 -- 5/16"-18 x 1-1/2" (for the angles) - $25.00 for 25, p/n 1174432

Prices & p/ns were from Fastenal (18-8 stainless steel). By the time you polish these (which I did last night -- took about an hour), and buy the nuts and washers, you might as well buy the kit from Mar-K.

[DransportGarage]

Oops. My bed only has 6 strips (custom, so I can put the gas lid in the center without cutting a strip). If you have the normal 7 strips you need 56 1/4"-20 x 1/4".

In general, you need 8 bolts per strip.

Sorry for the incomplete info.