Longbed mounting hole placement

[GR8-68]

Okay I am making a longbed wood kit for a member, he is wanting the mounting holes pre drilled but I can not for the life of me find anywhere on the internet the hole location, I have the shortbed drill location just need the longbed. Can anyone please help me here ?

[AussieinNC]

The only one I have is the SWB Fleetside image that I am attaching...hope this helps you out.




...

[GR8-68]

Yes, I already have that one. I am having trouble finding the longbed pattern. Thank you

[SJLenz1340]

Did you try GMC Paul's web site? Mine is a long bed as well and I believe I found information there.

[AussieinNC]

Let me measure my long bed and the chassis mounting points tomorrow and I will send you the diagram...

I would do it today but I just had my eyes dilated for an eye exam and cant see crap right now...glare is too bad...

I also have some new cross rails for my bed, so I can mock it up and run the measurements...

[GR8-68]

Originally Posted by SJLenz1340

Did you try GMC Paul's web site? Mine is a long bed as well and I believe I found information there.

All I seen on there was for the shortbed which is the specs I already have

[FL71C10]

I am installing new bed wood in my longbed fleetside tomorrow morning. I can make some notes and take some pictures for you. I think there is a reason all of the kits come with those holes not drilled. Your bed cross sills don't have to be off by much to cause these holes not to line up.

[GR8-68]

Originally Posted by FL71C10

I am installing new bed wood in my longbed fleetside tomorrow morning. I can make some notes and take some pictures for you. I think there is a reason all of the kits come with those holes not drilled. Your bed cross sills don't have to be off by much to cause these holes not to line up.

That would be great thank you. They should not be off much from one to the other plus you can spin the offset washer to change the alignment of the hole. I drilled all of mine according to the gmc pauls website for my shortbed and it worked out perfect. I appreciate your help

[AussieinNC]

According to some research on Chevrolet archives, the bed location holes were not drilled at the factory until the bed was aligned on the chassis, then the mounting holes were drilled from below thru the mounts...

There are so many variables involved, how and where the wood planks originated from and the drying treatment etc, the mounts themselves on the chassis etc

I would really value your measurements from your install process tomorrow, as I will be undertaking this on my own long bed this fall.

As always, pics are best...plus detailed measurements..edn of board to center of each hole, distance in from rebate edge, etc

Have a great day...

[AussieinNC]

The shortbed drawing above does also show a 3/4" hole thru the bed plank, and the bolt is spec'd at 1/2", giving you a little play room, plus room for the expansion factors of the wood plank due to weather etc...

[Old_Gold]

I assembled mine, marked the boards from below, then drilled and counterbored , finished, etc
If you think center points would be close enough, i could get some dimensions tomorrow.

[GR8-68]

Originally Posted by Old_Gold

I assembled mine, marked the boards from below, then drilled and counterbored , finished, etc
If you think center points would be close enough, i could get some dimensions tomorrow.

That is what I need is the center points thanks for any help you can provide

[AussieinNC]

Check your IM and email...I sent you the measurements off of my truck...

[FL71C10]

I put my boards in today. I definitely dont think you want my measurements, My boards seem too narrow, so the gaps between them are too wide.

[AussieinNC]

Suggest you check out

http://www.gmcpauls.com/47-72_BedWood_Info.htm

Make sure your boards are correct overall width...there are many different widths depending on what bedside or box you have.

I usually end up with about 1/2" - 5/8" between the boards where they sit on the cross rails...

[GR8-68]

Originally Posted by FL71C10

I put my boards in today. I definitely dont think you want my measurements, My boards seem too narrow, so the gaps between them are too wide.

What dimension did you cut your boards at ? There is supposed to be a good amount of play for movement as the wood grows and contracts

[FL71C10]

7 7/16 wide for the widest ones. I think part of my problem is that I mounted the second board (the one that is cut out around the wheel well) too close to the bedside, so there is a large gap to the 3rd board. I can probably take the bolts out and move the board inward a little bit to tighten things up.

[AussieinNC]

I am attaching a pic of the bed board mounting showing how the wear strips are embedded into the bed wood...thanks to GMCpauls for the image...

There needs to be approx 1/2" - 5/8" inch gap between the two boards where the bolt goes thru, to allow for expansion of the wood due to moisture and weather etc.

The bolt should be 1/4"...so you should have approx 1/8" to 3/16" either side of the bolt shaft.

I always find it easier to not bolt down the 3rd board in from outer edge to the wheel covers until all of the bed planks are in place.