Need tips for assembling wood bed

[AusTx68]

I have new bedsides and the metal parts from Mar-K's steel-to-wood bed conversion. I don't have the wood.

Mar-Ks instructions say to refer to the original sill location for placement. Well I don't have that so I'm not sure exactly where to place the sills.

Also, can I assemble the bed using some scrap in the corners to square it up until I get the wood and stips? If someone has done this I would appreciate photos.

[dan42]

Here's a picture of my shortbed when it was apart -

[AusTx68]

Great shots! Do you have anymore pics of how the front ones are laid? That's where I'm most confused. I broke out my LMC catalog and it shows the layout but after seeing your photos I'm even more confused

[AusTx68]

Here is the page from LMC http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/cb/full.aspx?Page=24

It shows two supports in front of the main rear cross sill. I only see one in your photo. The three near the front panel all appear to be the same size in the catalog. I don't see how that can be.

[AusTx68]

Well hell, it appears the LMC catalog photo is for a long bed. It seems I have extra cross sills when I look at your photos. I'm not sure if my Mark-K kit works for long and short beds. I thought I bought a short bed specific kit. In looking back at the Mar-K website, I realized it doesn't specify the length.

[AusTx68]

Ok, forget it. I just need to mock this up on the frame. Hopefully it will make sense when I see it laid out.

[BIGMAC68]

First of all, I will assume this is a short bed. You should have three full size cross sills and 2 smaller ones. The two smaller ones should be different lengths. One is 72" and one is 49-1/2."

The The first tall cross sill goes at 3-1/2" back from the front panel of the bed. The second cross sill goes at 14-3/4" back. The third cross member is the 72" long smaller one. This is called a reinforcement strip. This one is placed at the front of the wheel house approximately 21-3/4" back from the bed front. The rear of the wheel house gets the third tall cross sill. The second small reinforcement is located between the wheel house area approiximately 48-1/8" from the front panel.

Yes you can use some scrap wood between the cross sills and the bottom of the bedsides until you are ready to install the wood floor. Just make sure the scrap is 3/4" thick. Also make sure to secure the cross sills themselves to the frame.

[AusTx68]

Originally Posted by BIGMAC68

First of all, I will assume this is a short bed. You should have three full size cross sills and 2 smaller ones. The two smaller ones should be different lengths. One is 72" and one is 49-1/2."

The The first tall cross sill goes at 3-1/2" back from the front panel of the bed. The second cross sill goes at 14-3/4" back. The third cross member is the 72" long smaller one. This is called a reinforcement strip. This one is placed at the front of the wheel house approximately 21-3/4" back from the bed front. The rear of the wheel house gets the third tall cross sill. The second small reinforcement is located between the wheel house area approiximately 48-1/8" from the front panel.

Yes you can use some scrap wood between the cross sills and the bottom of the bedsides until you are ready to install the wood floor. Just make sure the scrap is 3/4" thick. Also make sure to secure the cross sills themselves to the frame.

This is exactly what I needed. Thanks for the info!

[SBC]

hey AusTx68, if you get a chance can you post pics, progress or any tips you have during your installation. i have received my Mar-k kit and will be putting it all together soon.

[SBC]

AusTx68 any updates on your conversion? i've received all my parts and will be trying to put this thing together. judging by the link in your signature you have your project documented very well. just looking for any pointers on this assembly.

[AusTx68]

Originally Posted by SBC

AusTx68 any updates on your conversion? i've received all my parts and will be trying to put this thing together. judging by the link in your signature you have your project documented very well. just looking for any pointers on this assembly.

Hey sorry I missed that first post requesting progress info. Since I don't have the bed wood I just assembled the square box using two new bedsides and Mar-Ks steel-to-wood conversion kit. The kit is all metal pieces that include the front panel, cross sills and rear main cross support. I used short pieces of 1x4 in the front corners where the wood provides support. I stopped there to focus on getting the crate motor bolted up and started. I'm hunting down the photos and will post when I find them.

[AusTx68]

I found the hardest thing was keeping the bedsides supported while bolting up the front panel and rear support. Best to have someone to help out. Once those parts were bolted up we lifted the bed and set it on the frame. It is not bolted to the frame. I then added the 1x4s. I will go back and add a 1x4 along the rear support and one on each side to match the front. I need to drill holes in the wood so I can put a bolt thru the wood and cross sills added support.

[msgross]

I put mine together out in the yard, upside down.. Then measured the frame holes and mounted the crossills using pieces of wood like you did...

[AusTx68]

Originally Posted by msgross

I put mine together out in the yard, upside down..

Yea that's how I started then realized I had no way of flipping the bed over after I got it assembled. A couple guys my size could do it but it was me and my wifes cousin who is 120 lbs soaking wet. Hell, he could barely hold his end to lift it on the frame!

[msgross]

LOL... my dad and I did mine...

im 6'3" 250lbs though

[MAR-Ktech]

AusTX68 - Thanks for finding something wrong with our instructions! That gives us the chance to improve them. After we found your post, we went back to the drawing board and re-wrote the Conversion instructions to have this information. If you want to PM me or email me at webmaster@mar-k.com then I can forward it to you if you still need/want them.
Thanks!
PS I'll also PM you this info.

[AusTx68]

Glad to be of assistance.

It's great to see you guys react so quickly! Keep up the good work!

[USN67C10]

Do you guys know the size of the bolts that attach the rear cross sill to the bedside?

[Killer Bee]

Originally Posted by USN67C10

Do you guys know the size of the bolts that attach the rear cross sill to the bedside?

you'll need to start with your year and model but this is the rear sill hardware for my longhorns..

http://www.mar-k.com/Catalog/index.aspx?LID=7494

you may try calling them to see if they can give you dimensions on the phone..

good luck sailor!

Made to bolt the rear cross sill to the bed sides, this kit uses 5/16" indented hex head bolts. Nuts and washers included. Zinc-plated steel bolts have a bright finish, but you need to paint these fasteners to prevent rusting. The bolts which mount the rear cross sill to the bed strips are not in this kit. These are included in the bed bolt kit or sold separately.