Need help on stepside bed wood install ??

[Botietruck]

I will be starting on the final phase of my 13 year restoration project this week. I will be installing the oak bed wood kit. The wood has been routed for the metal strips and the lengths and widths are correct. The only thing missing is the drilled holes. I will be using forstner bits to drill the holes, but the one thing I am somewhat unclear of is the proper way to drill the large holes for the offset washers. Is there a pattern to follow? Should all 8 offset washers be in the same general position? I'm sure someone has done this in the past and will know what I'm talking about. Any ideas.

Thanks!

[myoldchevytruck]

Here's a link to Mar-K. This section provides installation hints for the wood, angle and bed strips and other associated hardware. I'm also going to make my own wood bed. After talking with the folks at Mar-K, they directed me to this link - seems like there's allot of info for the DIY guy. Good Luck and Happy New Year.

p.s. they are extremely helpful when calling

http://www.mar-k.com/installation_hints.html

[whatnow123]

I don't know if it makes a real difference or not, (at least it hasn't on mine, but I'll never have anything in the bed). But I mounted the bed, then shallow routed out the area for the bed bolts so the boards would lay flat and the bed bolts are "blind". Just an option.

[msgross]

The NOS wood I have for sale doesn't have those holes either... good info though..I know GMC Pauls website has good info on bed wood... not sure about those holes though

[72BLUZ]

i didnt use them in mine, see if this picture helps. we just used the strips to secure the wood

[Botietruck]

Thanks guys for the advice! I like the idea of hiding the mounting bolts.

[mbgmike]

If you want it real clean the under bed bolting method is the way to go. Follow Mar-K's instructions. Thats exactly how we have done them. Just be careful with the Forstner bit cause they can jump out of the little pilot point and cut an inwanted groove . We completly finish the wood then drill the wholes and touch up the drilled holes after words. . I also use a block of wood drilled out and marked to set the depth correct.

You can make a jig to use a plunge router but we like just using the drill bit.

Like anything just mark the locations and re-check them 2 or 3 times.