thank you in advance to all that may help! i'm installing a new front bed panel on my project truck and am having a bit of trouble getting it to fit right. I would like to ask somebody with a good bed to set a level across the front of the bed, and measure down to the top of the front panels top. i'm getting about 5/32", but then the 4 5/16" bolts don't want to line up. it probably doesn't help that it's a import part either. I just don't know what i'm shooting for.i put a 3/4" block of wood as a spacer between the side panel lower flange and the front panels lower flange as a starting point. also, when the new front piece is mocked-up, it seems to block the stake holes a bit. i'll never use them, but just wondering if this is normal. here some pics. thank you, kurt.

 

You are looking at the wrong end of the panel...the more important end is the lower flange of the header panel. The lip on the lower flange sets the distance between the header and the bed side in which the bed wood is mounted. If that gap is too small then your bed wood will not fit properly. I use shims when installing the header to hold the proper gap. As for the top edge, I use metal-2-metal (an Evercoat product) to fill the inconsistencies and form a smooth fit between the header and the bed side flair. These trucks were never made to the close tolerances that we see on vehicles today (and this header IS a repop) so I wouldn't stress too much about the fit.

 

so what IS the spacing between the front panel flange and the side panel flange? is it just the thickness of the wood? the wood is not rabbited at all on the ends? wood was missing when I got the truck.

 

anybody know the spacing of the lower gap in question? 3/4" - 13/16" sound right?

 

Refer to chart...spacing is 3/4 inch minus 1/16th. I use pieces of 1x2 white wood furring strips...they are close enough, better to be a loose fit than a tight fit. Bed wood grows as it is varnished/painted anyway.

 

wow. this is great. thank you very much! I wondered if the end pieces had that rabbited edge because I've seen it where the metal flange just sits on top. where did this info come from, I've been looking like crazy. now I can move forward!

 

This chart has been around for awhile...I believe that it was drawn up by one of the aftermarket bed manufacturers.

 

I think it would be great to have all these types of diagrams, exploded views, assembly order drawing on one thread. a place one could go to look for answers. am I wrong? well, it wouldn't be the first time! thanks again.

 

I think this was made by one of our FTE members I'm not sure who..... was it Bob Jones, or was it former member George Hartman, who was building a 56 named Earl?

 

I believe that chart is from MAR-K manufacturing..

 

Lots of info here: Tips & Tricks - Mar-K Manufacturing When referencing material on this site be sure that it applies to your make/model as there are many covered.

 

bad link. didn't work for me.

 

Works fine for me..