Stepside Bed cross sills

[Knothead]

What is the correct placement of the THIRD cross sill. There are three sets of holes in the frame at the rear. One set is right at 16" from the rear cross sill bolts. Mine only had one when I got it, not sure if it ever had one. Will this interfere with the installation of a underbed gas tank?

[JML55]

Here is were mine located.

[OrrieG]

Originally Posted by JML55

Here is were mine located.

Attachment 431225

You are lucky, on Fleetsides they go back one set of holes and set over the tank filler (I have the same tank). Takes lots of butchering and reinforcing to make it work.

[Knothead]

So I quess best thing to do is position it where it won't interfere with the tank? From all pics I can find it seems to be positioned in various locations judging from carrige bolts inside bed.

[OrrieG]

On the step sides you have that luxury, on Fleetsides the second and fourth rails from the front support the inner wheel wells so they can't be moved. Only other consideration is keeping the spans between them for the boards even if you are going to use the bed for hauling. And I assume you are not going for original accuracy on bolt location??

[Knothead]

Your right ,I'm not to worried about being original. Even considered not using it at all,but since I already bought the thing. It' funny you even mention hauling a load. Wonder how many of these beds ever see one?

[OrrieG]

Mine will, when its done it will be the daily driver and the 64 Chevelle gets its turn in the shop. Probably not dirt and rocks but definately lumber, etc. I plan on Rhino coating over metal encased plywood, then strips for a little bling.

[Knothead]

My original plan was to put bright extruded aluminum on the floor and sides(still may do the sides), but I came across some mahagony wood I could make work. The boards were a full 1" thick. I don't own a planer , so I'm going to notch the boards on the bottom side where the cross sills are.

[blackdiesel]

Originally Posted by Knothead

My original plan was to put bright extruded aluminum on the floor and sides(still may do the sides), but I came across some mahagony wood I could make work. The boards were a full 1" thick. I don't own a planer , so I'm going to notch the boards on the bottom side where the cross sills are.

Call your local high school (or vo-tech). talk to the wood shop teacher. He will more than probley happy to help you out with planing your boards. Dad was a shop teacher for a while and help lots of folks around with different projects.