"how hard" install?

[Brandonc20]

Buying an oak wood bed from mar-k and im was wondering how hard it was to install? thanks everyone in advance.

[PGSigns]

Kind of a loaded question. I made all the new wood for mine out of 1X8 stock. So for me doing the bed was easy with the skills I have. Having the bed off the truck makes it easy to get to all the bolts and to square everything up.
Jimmy

[Brandonc20]

thanks for the input. I was probably gonna take the bed off. how were your stick bed strips?? im debating on buying new ones.

[mbgmike]

Its really not hard. Sometimes on the outer boards you may have to stand the boards on edge and put a slight taper to it to fit under the angle strips

[gpk1961]

It was not too bad. Mar-K does a good job. Look at my bed. Notice the wider rib in the center? I had to make this because I lost some width as I went across. Make sure your bed is aligned before you start. A helper is a good bet. You will have to drill out the sides, make sure you are where you need to be before you do this! The hardware part of it just takes time. Be careful not to overtight the carriage bolts or the hold downs. I coated the underbed with an oil base primer and then marine varnish on top. Check out what some members have done here..especially the correct lamp black finishes...some real skilled people here. Good Luck with it. When it is done, its like a new truck! GPK1961

[Vernski]

Originally Posted by Brandonc20

thanks for the input. I was probably gonna take the bed off. how were your stick bed strips?? im debating on buying new ones.

I bought a bed kit from Mar-K I am well pleased with it. I had to get the bed strip's the old ones were to rusty to use again. But the cross sills were good had them blasted and Por-15-ed them. They send instruction's with the kit I thought it could have had more pictures, but if you read them through a few times you'll be fine. Take an inventory of the kit parts and make sure nothing is missing, they give you a few days to let them know if somethings not there.
Enjoy assembling it I thought it it was fun...Vernski

[Vernski]

Oops forgot a pic of mine...Vernski

[towersddg9]

Originally Posted by Vernski

Oops forgot a pic of mine...Vernski

Looks great Vernski

[PGSigns]

My bed had an old sheet of plywood in it when I got it so I had no bed strips. I got the new stainless steel strips from Mark-K and the bolt kit. Then I made the wood. I did a test fit and needed to loosely install all the boards and strips to get it all fitted up correctly. The strips need to be centered in the deep groove in the wood and not up against the edge. All apart now for paint.
Jimmy

[mbgmike]

Yeah we were dealers for Mar-K but we could not meet the minimum yearly requirements so they dropped us as dealers. Installing a wood bed is easy like I said. Mar-K makes great products and we will always reccomend their products. Installing a wood bed is actually kind of fun. We have installed many wood beds. you do not have to have a degree in rocket science. just follow the instructions or build it yourself. its really not hard at all. Don't let anyone tell you its hard. Hey go for it then you too can post hows its done. if you can put build a house you can put in a bed floor. its damn easy

[mbgmike]

Originally Posted by PGSigns

My bed had an old sheet of plywood in it when I got it so I had no bed strips. I got the new stainless steel strips from Mark-K and the bolt kit. Then I made the wood. I did a test fit and needed to loosely install all the boards and strips to get it all fitted up correctly. The strips need to be centered in the deep groove in the wood and not up against the edge. All apart now for paint.
Jimmy

the mid 80's fords had plywood with bedstrips. Two piece plywood. it worked My god doing a bed is easy

[64GMCHorsepower]

It is definately easier to do this with the bed off the frame.....otherwise, it is a PITA to get to some of the bolts.......

I got my kit from Mar-K, and had no issues at all.

[LT1 Burb]

What was original in our trucks , the pine or oak. I just checked there website and they have both. Also sucks they don't take Paypal.

[Brandonc20]

how do I pay for it? I clicked pay credit and i didnt get an option.

[Vernski]

Originally Posted by Brandonc20

how do I pay for it? I clicked pay credit and i didnt get an option.

You asked this question in another thread and was answered, Mar-K will call you for your credit info at there convenience....Vernski

[Brandonc20]

I saw that after I asked that question. thanks for your help. love the truck btw

[SFTorange]

I just finished my bed, and I'll second a couple of recommendations. Don't try to do it with the bed on the truck. It is a PITA to get at all of the bolts.
Secondly, have someone on top of bed holding down the bolts as you put the nuts on from underneath. It saves a TON of time if you have a helper.

Believe me, I learned from experience.