1986 Chevy C10 SWB Step Side

[aotte1]

Next I installed all the boards and metal strips, putting bolts in the ends of each metal strip. The metal strips are stainless steel, satin finish. I order my wood predrilled, which is ok, however, the holes are not large enough diameter to fit over the bed to frame hardware. Used a fostner bit to enlarge them. Not sure about the recessed depth of the wood for the washer { more on this later}??
Since doing this alone, I used the foam and hammer to hold bolts in place while I started the nuts.

[aotte1]

Next I installed the first bed to frame cross support going from tailgate. While doing this, some of the bolts used to attach the metal strips to the frame cross support were not lining up straight. To correct this I needed to move the left outside board all the way outboard, thereby, allowing more space to move metal strips to align with frame cross supports holes. I used the method Jeff suggested above, making slots for the bolts attached to the bed sides, this allows the board to be inserted.

Last photo shows the spacers that sat on the frame as part of the frame to bed mounting bolts. Need to determine if the washers on the surface of the bed wood need to be in direct contact with them.

I want to thank Jeff for sharing his knowledge above on how he did his bed wood which has been a BIG HELP.

Les