another wood bed question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

zenchal26 · 06-01-2012, 10:12 AM

Do I install the wood before the bed goes on the truck or after?

D-man313 · 06-01-2012, 11:28 AM

Probably either one, my bed was on before the wood was ready. It would probably be easier if the bed was off the truck. The thing is dont rush, just take your time, it will take a while, mine took all day. Its much easier if 2 people are working on it (one to set the strips/wood with the bolts, and the other to be under the bed to tighten the bolts up.)

Just take your time and dont let it over whelm(sp?) you.

OrrieG · 06-01-2012, 01:59 PM

If you are hiding the bed to frame bolts afterwards, but trial fit with it off the truck. If the bed to frame bolts will be exposed, then you can do either. A second hand really helps.

Russell Ashley · 06-01-2012, 03:27 PM

I did mine a couple of weeks ago with the bed off. You have to get to the bottom to tighten up over 60 nuts with fender washers and lockwashers so it helps to have the bed at a convenient height with full access to the bottom. I supported mine on saw horses on each end so I could roll under it to install the nuts and washers. It would be more convenient to have a helper but it's not necessary. The bed is a lot heavier after you get the boards, strips, the cross members, and the bolts in, so be prepared for that. Mar-K's website has a set of instructions for wood replacement that I looked at before I started.

_Ogre · 06-01-2012, 09:17 PM

i hid my bed bolts so had to install the wood after.
bolted down the sills, laid the outer boards on the sills and set the box on the 2 outer boards.

B_Hix · 06-02-2012, 07:22 AM

I did mine with the bed on the truck and my fuel tank out. Even still there were some bolts that were hard to get to. If you have the means (or help) to get it on the truck after it's assembled that would probably be the way to do it. It was just the wife and I and I didn't see her boosting her fair share of 500 (or so) pounds - or me for that matter, lol.

1project2many · 06-02-2012, 08:48 AM

I put the wood in mine after the bed was installed. What a challenge getting the bolts tight in the strips. I ended up setting heavy blocks on each carriage bolt then crawling underneath to tighten them. Brand new paint plus long box truck made for plenty of opportunities to scratch or chip something during the process. But I didn't have any help so that was the only realistic option.

06-01-2012, 10:12 AM	#1
zenchal26 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: maine Posts: 152	another wood bed question Do I install the wood before the bed goes on the truck or after?

06-01-2012, 11:28 AM	#2
D-man313 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Hebron, IN Posts: 194	Re: another wood bed question Probably either one, my bed was on before the wood was ready. It would probably be easier if the bed was off the truck. The thing is dont rush, just take your time, it will take a while, mine took all day. Its much easier if 2 people are working on it (one to set the strips/wood with the bolts, and the other to be under the bed to tighten the bolts up.) Just take your time and dont let it over whelm(sp?) you. __________________ Mom, I think I may have broke something. My tires keep spinning and leaving black marks every where

06-01-2012, 01:59 PM	#3
OrrieG Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Idaho Posts: 8,800	Re: another wood bed question If you are hiding the bed to frame bolts afterwards, but trial fit with it off the truck. If the bed to frame bolts will be exposed, then you can do either. A second hand really helps. __________________ 1959 Chevy Short Fleetside w/ 74 4WD drive train (current project) OrrieG Build Thread 1964 Chevelle Malibu w/ 355-350TH (daily driver) Helpful AD and TF Manual Site Old Car Manual Project

06-01-2012, 03:27 PM	#4
Russell Ashley Registered User Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lawrenceville, Ga Posts: 2,648	Re: another wood bed question I did mine a couple of weeks ago with the bed off. You have to get to the bottom to tighten up over 60 nuts with fender washers and lockwashers so it helps to have the bed at a convenient height with full access to the bottom. I supported mine on saw horses on each end so I could roll under it to install the nuts and washers. It would be more convenient to have a helper but it's not necessary. The bed is a lot heavier after you get the boards, strips, the cross members, and the bolts in, so be prepared for that. Mar-K's website has a set of instructions for wood replacement that I looked at before I started.

06-01-2012, 09:17 PM	#5
_Ogre Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Motown Posts: 7,680	Re: another wood bed question i hid my bed bolts so had to install the wood after. bolted down the sills, laid the outer boards on the sills and set the box on the 2 outer boards. __________________ cool, an ogre smiley Ogre's 58 Truk build how to put your truck year and build thread into your signature shop air compressor timer

06-02-2012, 07:22 AM	#6
B_Hix Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Central Missouri Posts: 155	Re: another wood bed question I did mine with the bed on the truck and my fuel tank out. Even still there were some bolts that were hard to get to. If you have the means (or help) to get it on the truck after it's assembled that would probably be the way to do it. It was just the wife and I and I didn't see her boosting her fair share of 500 (or so) pounds - or me for that matter, lol.

06-02-2012, 08:48 AM	#7
1project2many Registered User Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Lakes Region NH Posts: 3,200	Re: another wood bed question I put the wood in mine after the bed was installed. What a challenge getting the bolts tight in the strips. I ended up setting heavy blocks on each carriage bolt then crawling underneath to tighten them. Brand new paint plus long box truck made for plenty of opportunities to scratch or chip something during the process. But I didn't have any help so that was the only realistic option.



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