Fleet side bed assembly

[Tommyups]

I have just assembled a new fleet side short bed and having issues squaring it up, tailgate not closing. And has the steel floor, I’m not sure how to tweak it at all? BTW, it’s not on the frame yet And all the panels are new, good Mark kit except for their original 67 tailgate

[rjs53]

Just finished putting mine together, original but cut down from long bed to short. I left everything loose, and where I had dropped bolts in to hold it in place had to go back and take out. I did put mine together on the truck and used the cab as a guide so I could visualize what it should look like. Used punches to align till I could start a bolt. Tail gates a pita to line up, thought it would be easy.

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by Tommyups

I have just assembled a new fleet side short bed and having issues squaring it up, tailgate not closing. And has the steel floor, I’m not sure how to tweak it at all? BTW, it’s not on the frame yet And all the panels are new, good Mark kit except for their original 67 tailgate

You need to put it on the frame, loosen all of the bolts up, put the four corner bed to frame bolts in, square it up and re-tighten the bolts. I just put mine together sitting on sawhorses but all of the bolts are just finger tight until I get it set on and bolted down to the frame, then I will square it up and tighten the bolts up.

LockDoc

[Tommyups]

Thx for help, will be working on it soon here!!

[notsolo]

On mine, seems like top of tailgate opening wanted to pitch in. I cut 2 x 2 to correct length of opening. Just held in place with tape until bolts were tight... bottom corners are supposed to be welded after its square and strait.

[dfosh]

Did anybody weld the bed again after reassembly ?

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by dfosh

Did anybody weld the bed again after reassembly ?

I plan on it. It is just a short 1" weld on each side....

LockDoc

[hugger6933]

A port-o-power can be used on the bottom oone side over to the top of the side that is too tight to ease the sides where they need/should be.

[SoCoC10]

If the tops of the bed sides are in like an "A" I put a Jack handle in the rear stake pockets use a come along to pull out. If the tops of the bed sides are out like a "V", I use the rectangular slots the tailgate ears go in to and use the come along to pull the tops of the bed sides in.

My two cents

[rjs53]

Be careful, remember when your pulling the sides in, your pulling into the wheel tubs. You can warp or bend the outside of the bed

[72 tigger]

How are you guys planning on painting the inside of your beds?

[rjs53]

I'm giving mine the shop truck look. So I'm not painting the inside,it is one of the harder things I've done. I've replaced cab corners floor boards inner and outer rockers, painted it blocked it and am getting ready to paint again, just so I can rub some of the paint off and make it look old.

[Tommyups]

Thanks for all the advice
Paint is a long way away but probably black white or silver