putting a fleetside bed togther

[jd4300fel]

I am in the process of putting my fleetside steel floor bed back together.
what is the correct order of putting parts on? And also what about the
sealer that is found between the floor and the side's and the wheel wells and
side?


Mike

[Brad]

I just put each bedside on loose with a few bolts and then put the header panel on. Next, I put the wheelwells in loose with bolts. Then went back around and aligned everything making sure the bed was square and then tightened everything down. I never used any kind of sealer. I'm curious to know if I should have.

[1969k10stepside]

Lay the floor down on the ground..slightly elevated so you can get under it for the bolts...I put the front panel in first,held on loosely by a bolt on each side.Then started on the bedsides,one bolt in the front,back,and one going through the front panel.Same for the other side..Remember from the factory there is some spot welds holding the sides on at the tailgate end of the truck,so welding is in order.Then,I put in the wheel wells,a few bolts holding them on.I then went back and installed all the bolts and tightened all down,then welded the sides to the floor in the back like factory...I test fit the tailgate before I welded though to make sure it was going to shut before I welded so I wouldnt have to grind off and re-weld...

[Brad]

I should add that I put mine together with the floor sitting on the truck frame to make life easier.

[EAST SIDE LOW LIFE]

The only area that I found seam sealer on my box was between the wheel tubs and the side of the box where they join. It's hard to see this in the attached picture but if you look close you can make out the light reflecting on the sealer. This is the original box nothing was replaced with regards to the metal. It goes with out saying the seam sealer was refurbished with new sealer.

esll.