Fitting Putco bed rails to our classic trucks - Page 2 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Rich69shortfleet · 01-19-2018, 10:31 AM

A few more pictures to show how this is going to go.

I've installed one of the rear end posts. The first couple of photos show the neoprene pads I'm making to compensate for the post sitting partially on the tonneau cover rail. The last shows how I am using the nutplate to mount the post without using the rubber expansion block.

Rich69shortfleet · 01-19-2018, 10:42 AM

And here is how it looks mounted and a few showing the post mocked up with one of the rail tubes.

Rich69shortfleet · 01-19-2018, 07:59 PM

And now the rear post install.

The first task was to trim down the expansion block slightly as they are just a touch too big to fit in the stake pockets. In the comparison photo you can see I didn't have to take a lot off to make them fit. I had to loosen and lift the tonneau cover rails to get the expansion blocks in the front stake pockets since the rails slightly overlap the stake pockets. Now all four end posts are installed so all that is left is to measure the rail tubes and cut them to length and install them.

Rich69shortfleet · 01-21-2018, 05:32 PM

I got the tubes measured and cut. They turned out great. A friend is a mechanical engineer and has a fantastic metal shop. After I dressed the cut ends with a fine file I sprayed the cut edge with clear polyurethane wheel paint to keep the raw edge of the chrome covered. As soon as the paint dries I can finish the install, but the weather has turned crappy again and now it may be a day or two more before I can get it finished.

Rich69shortfleet · 01-23-2018, 05:22 PM

Project complete.

Rich69shortfleet · 01-25-2018, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coppertone

I have the 73 and up bed rails installed on my truck. Sorry don’t know how to turn them,maybe someone can help.

I forgot to respond earlier to your post. Those look nice too and fit well on length given the toolbox and everything. Are the bars aluminum? Would you or have you tied any cargo to them?

CG · 01-25-2018, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich69shortfleet

Project complete.

Ive never been a fan of bed rails. But there is something about yours that I really like. Nice job.

Rich69shortfleet · 01-25-2018, 11:09 AM

Previously I had some retractable tiedown dohickies in the stake pockets and used them a lot. When the tonneau cover went on I couldn't use them any more. I like the look of many bed rails and installing a set allowed me to again have some tie down points. I really like the way the Putco Crossrails are made in that they provide many built-in tie down points on the end posts. The install would have been a lot easier had I not had the tonneau cover to deal with but all in all it wasn't a difficult project and I'm more than happy with the results.

And all Putco and companies that make similar bed rails would have to do is to cut their tubes to lengths that fit our truck and they'd have a whole other market they could sell to.

Does anyone know if the 67-72 stake pocket dimensions are the same as on the 60-66 trucks?

Rich69shortfleet · 02-03-2018, 05:42 PM

A few more photos from other angles and outdoors.

01-19-2018, 10:31 AM	#26
Rich69shortfleet Registered User Join Date: May 2016 Location: Waverly, NE Posts: 343	Re: Bed side rails: why wouldn't a set for '73 fit? A few more pictures to show how this is going to go. I've installed one of the rear end posts. The first couple of photos show the neoprene pads I'm making to compensate for the post sitting partially on the tonneau cover rail. The last shows how I am using the nutplate to mount the post without using the rubber expansion block. Attached Images __________________ 1965 Malibu SS L79 Restoration Page 1965 Two-Door Wagon Project Progress Page 2006 Pontiac GTO Preservation Project Rich Cummings

01-19-2018, 10:42 AM	#27
Rich69shortfleet Registered User Join Date: May 2016 Location: Waverly, NE Posts: 343	Re: Bed side rails: why wouldn't a set for '73 fit? And here is how it looks mounted and a few showing the post mocked up with one of the rail tubes. Attached Images __________________ 1965 Malibu SS L79 Restoration Page 1965 Two-Door Wagon Project Progress Page 2006 Pontiac GTO Preservation Project Rich Cummings

01-19-2018, 07:59 PM	#28
Rich69shortfleet Registered User Join Date: May 2016 Location: Waverly, NE Posts: 343	Re: Bed side rails: why wouldn't a set for '73 fit? And now the rear post install. The first task was to trim down the expansion block slightly as they are just a touch too big to fit in the stake pockets. In the comparison photo you can see I didn't have to take a lot off to make them fit. I had to loosen and lift the tonneau cover rails to get the expansion blocks in the front stake pockets since the rails slightly overlap the stake pockets. Now all four end posts are installed so all that is left is to measure the rail tubes and cut them to length and install them. Attached Images __________________ 1965 Malibu SS L79 Restoration Page 1965 Two-Door Wagon Project Progress Page 2006 Pontiac GTO Preservation Project Rich Cummings

01-21-2018, 05:32 PM	#29
Rich69shortfleet Registered User Join Date: May 2016 Location: Waverly, NE Posts: 343	Re: Bed side rails: why wouldn't a set for '73 fit? I got the tubes measured and cut. They turned out great. A friend is a mechanical engineer and has a fantastic metal shop. After I dressed the cut ends with a fine file I sprayed the cut edge with clear polyurethane wheel paint to keep the raw edge of the chrome covered. As soon as the paint dries I can finish the install, but the weather has turned crappy again and now it may be a day or two more before I can get it finished. __________________ 1965 Malibu SS L79 Restoration Page 1965 Two-Door Wagon Project Progress Page 2006 Pontiac GTO Preservation Project Rich Cummings

01-23-2018, 05:22 PM	#30
Rich69shortfleet Registered User Join Date: May 2016 Location: Waverly, NE Posts: 343	Re: Fitting Putco bed rails to our classic trucks Project complete. Attached Images __________________ 1965 Malibu SS L79 Restoration Page 1965 Two-Door Wagon Project Progress Page 2006 Pontiac GTO Preservation Project Rich Cummings

01-25-2018, 11:09 AM	#33
Rich69shortfleet Registered User Join Date: May 2016 Location: Waverly, NE Posts: 343	Re: Fitting Putco bed rails to our classic trucks Previously I had some retractable tiedown dohickies in the stake pockets and used them a lot. When the tonneau cover went on I couldn't use them any more. I like the look of many bed rails and installing a set allowed me to again have some tie down points. I really like the way the Putco Crossrails are made in that they provide many built-in tie down points on the end posts. The install would have been a lot easier had I not had the tonneau cover to deal with but all in all it wasn't a difficult project and I'm more than happy with the results. And all Putco and companies that make similar bed rails would have to do is to cut their tubes to lengths that fit our truck and they'd have a whole other market they could sell to. Does anyone know if the 67-72 stake pocket dimensions are the same as on the 60-66 trucks? __________________ 1965 Malibu SS L79 Restoration Page 1965 Two-Door Wagon Project Progress Page 2006 Pontiac GTO Preservation Project Rich Cummings Last edited by Rich69shortfleet; 01-25-2018 at 11:27 AM.

02-03-2018, 05:42 PM	#34
Rich69shortfleet Registered User Join Date: May 2016 Location: Waverly, NE Posts: 343	Re: Fitting Putco bed rails to our classic trucks A few more photos from other angles and outdoors. Attached Images __________________ 1965 Malibu SS L79 Restoration Page 1965 Two-Door Wagon Project Progress Page 2006 Pontiac GTO Preservation Project Rich Cummings

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