Everyone,

I know the dimensions on the boards 78" L 5 3/4 W and 3/4 Thick, but also Im just trying to make double sure because I KNOW things vary.

My bed is 78" long for sure and the wood is suppose to be that.

And about 48 3/4 wide side to side on the bed. Is that correct with the Bed wood being 5 3/4 wide X 8 boards??????

That all adds up to 46 inches but I know the bolts for the strips have to have something, so Im sure there is some gap that is made up.

Just trying to make double and triple sure before I go buy something.????

Thanks everyone,

Patrick

 

there is a 3/8 (min) space between the boards. (*7) = just under 2-3/8 inches+46 = 48-3/8 with wiggle room.

the metal slats are wider than the groove on two side-by-side boards, forcing them out a little to make room for the bolts.

Sam

 

Awesome. Ill order them. Thanks Sam!!!!!!!

 

Does this mean you're going to buy raw lumber and mill it to size yourself? Are you planning on cutting the rabbet for the rub strips? If any of the above, might I suggest buying synthetic deck wood (It'll probably be "5/4" or actual 1" but that won't make any real difference in the assembly). This stuff will outlast you AND the truck.

 

Eh, Id rather have real wood instead of fake wood. Thats just me. Thanks though.

 

Ya I like my wood like my girls too

 

If I lived in AZ or southern CA I would have used real wood. However, here in IN the oak kit I installed in 1982 was essentially gone in 8 years. Admittedly, the truck sat outside but I believe original wood (probably southern yellow pine + paint) would have done better. The synthetic stuff has wood grain and a tan color and it sat outside in the weather for 7-8 years before I got around to milling it and installing in the truck. Somewhere on the FTE there are some pictures of it (the entire truck)-posted by Denver Slim.