Replacing Bed wood concerns/advice.

[custom10nut]

I’m about to start taking. My old bed wood to replace it with the new.
Of course I have to remove the bed, In order to paint the back of the cab, and front of the bed.
Considering to weight of the wood, is it better to install the wood, with the bed mounted?
Or put it together off the frame, and then mount it?
I’ve got the ability to lift it on and off, but my issue is hands. I only have me and my neighbor.
My fear s getting it ready to mount back on, then it be too heavy and unwieldy to control, and end up scratching my new paint.
Sorry for the ramble, but sometimes the mind starts to race.

[rockyrivermark]

When I restored my ‘70.
I bought new short bed sides I pre fit the panels first. Painted everything in pieces and then assembled the bed sheet metal all painted.
I then had a helper lift the bed in the frame and installed the wood after it was loosely in place.
I think it would be far more difficult to install the wood first but never tried it to know for sure.
For me. After the bed was in place installing the wood was very simple to do. A bit time consuming but very easy.
I actually used a wood grain laminate I had lying around the shop over exterior glued ply.
Hope this helps.
Mark

[custom10nut]

Yep, I was thinking the same thing. It will be a lot lighter without the wood in.
Thanks for the response

[rockyrivermark]

If I remember right we used some wood strips roughly 5’ to temp support the bed since it mostly supported by the bed wood which of course isn’t installed yet.
We also kept the metal bed rails a little loose for adjustment.

[custom10nut]

Thanks for the info.👍

[old51sedan]

I installed the wood in my bed first, then I lifted the bed by using a ratchet strap, one on each corner. Rolled the truck under the bed, with one helper, one on each side, we slowly let it down a little at a time. I did place a piece of plywood with a blanket behind the cab by circling a rope around it through the windows. Everything went fine. It's easier to bolt the wood in off the truck.

[LS short box]

When did my box wood I put the empty box on first, squared it up (it was all repop) squared it up to the cab and side to side and then put the wood in.
A tip I got from the board here was instead of drilling thru the wood for box hold down bolts was clearance the under side bed wood for the head of the box bolt. That way you don't have any holes in the wood to absorb water.

[OregonNed]

Originally Posted by old51sedan

I installed the wood in my bed first, then I lifted the bed by using a ratchet strap, one on each corner. Rolled the truck under the bed, with one helper, one on each side, we slowly let it down a little at a time. I did place a piece of plywood with a blanket behind the cab by circling a rope around it through the windows. Everything went fine. It's easier to bolt the wood in off the truck.

My friends and I did this very thing. It worked very well....

[old51sedan]

Originally Posted by LS short box

A tip I got from the board here was instead of drilling thru the wood for box hold down bolts was clearance the under side bed wood for the head of the box bolt. That way you don't have any holes in the wood to absorb water.

If you notice the wood in my box pictured above, it's the same way, no bolts showing....

[custom10nut]

I’m a little thick headed on what you’re sayin.
Did you attach something on the undersides of the wood to secure it?
If I could see a picture it would probably explain it.

[AussieinNC]

Originally Posted by custom10nut

I’m a little thick headed on what you’re sayin.
Did you attach something on the undersides of the wood to secure it?
If I could see a picture it would probably explain it.

Mar K has hidden fastener systems available now...

see http://www.mar-k.com/_assets/images/..._bolts_bed.pdf

Hope this helps....stay safe

[old51sedan]

I simply took both of the front cross members and where the bolts go through the wood thru the cross member I welded bolts that would stick through the frame. After box was installed on truck I installed washers and self locking nuts. I basically did the same on the bolt 2 bolts by the tailgate.

[67swb72klb]

When I did my 67 bed 20+ years ago I assembled it with the bed standing on the front edge squared it up with a tape measure and tightened it all up.