wood bed strip nuts

[tdangle]

Just discovered the original are square 7/16 nuts. Does the replacement hardware also use the square nuts. these are at the cross pieces to the metal strip only, rest of the nuts I see are standard 6 point.

[Carl Spangler]

I just installed a wood bed kit from Brothers and all of the nuts are standard 6 point.

[tdangle]

Thats good to know. Just need to find a socket for the square ones. BTW did you do it with the bed attached to the frame or did you pull the bed off?

[3757chevy]

It takes an 8 point socket , kinda works like a 12 point socket on a 6 point nut.

[Carl Spangler]

Originally Posted by tdangle

Thats good to know. Just need to find a socket for the square ones. BTW did you do it with the bed attached to the frame or did you pull the bed off?

You may (likely) have to cut the old bolts out if the square nuts are rusted. Also, keep in mind the new strips use carriage bolts whereas the original strips used splined bolts.

I did my shortbed stepside sort of 'on the frame'. Had to lift the bed about 4" to get to some the bolts along one of the cross sills. This whole job turned out to be WAY harder than it looks. If you don't have a shortbed-stepside than all of the strip bolts should be readily accessible without removing the bed. Regardless, if you have room it would be a lot easier job with the bed off of the frame.

I used pine and carbon steel strips because wanted "original". Pine is a real PITA to stain/seal though and I had to prep/paint the strips and bolts. It would a LOT easier to use SS hardware and Oak boards.

[fb111ewo]

I agree that it is much easier to do off the frame, than trying to do it on the truck frame. I would definitely recommend buying a new stainless steel bolt kit and throw your old bolts away! I assembled my bed on some stands and then used long 2x4's to support the bed so I could move the truck back under when completed. One man operation, and no need for heavy lifting.