Tips on Installing Wood Bed Floor
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Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,759
Likes: 71
From: Elk River, MN
Tips on Installing Wood Bed Floor
Just completed this task and here are a couple tips I learned.
Bias the wood as much as possible towards the front of the box so that the rear edge is just slightly forward of the rear sill.
On the two outside boards, this is more important since you will have to drill holes where it mounts to the box side flange.
When installing the strips, bias them as much as possible towards the front of the box.
When installing the rear of wood trim strip, make sure it goes flush against the back of the strips between the wood slats.
The object lesson here is that the tail gate will not close properly if the rear of wood trim strip is not tucked in against the wood and strips.
On mine, I learned this too late and ended up filing 1/16 off the rear of wood trim strip where both outside boards had a stainless strip finishing the wood against the side of the bed.
* * * * * * * *
I opted for the inside the bed stainless latches and cables with riv-nuts into the tailgate and bolts into the stake pockets. I will try to get some pictures once I get the stainless rear sill cover trimmed to accept my '39 tear drop tail lights.
Bias the wood as much as possible towards the front of the box so that the rear edge is just slightly forward of the rear sill.
On the two outside boards, this is more important since you will have to drill holes where it mounts to the box side flange.
When installing the strips, bias them as much as possible towards the front of the box.
When installing the rear of wood trim strip, make sure it goes flush against the back of the strips between the wood slats.
The object lesson here is that the tail gate will not close properly if the rear of wood trim strip is not tucked in against the wood and strips.
On mine, I learned this too late and ended up filing 1/16 off the rear of wood trim strip where both outside boards had a stainless strip finishing the wood against the side of the bed.
* * * * * * * *
I opted for the inside the bed stainless latches and cables with riv-nuts into the tailgate and bolts into the stake pockets. I will try to get some pictures once I get the stainless rear sill cover trimmed to accept my '39 tear drop tail lights.
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: Dryden, Ontario
Dang... where were you when I was attempting the wood bed resto?? 
Although my truck is a bit newer, I just bolted my wood down today, have a bit of tweaking here and there, but for a complete amatuer guessing his way through... I just hope it holds up.
I've put a few pics up with descriptions on my site where I could (if the sig shows up, that's it, if not, its in my profile), and some of the problems I've run into as well with getting the wood bed back together. I'm sure I've messed up quite a few things, but at least I got it back together for now as there is 3" of snow in the driveway
Although my truck is a bit newer, I just bolted my wood down today, have a bit of tweaking here and there, but for a complete amatuer guessing his way through... I just hope it holds up.
I've put a few pics up with descriptions on my site where I could (if the sig shows up, that's it, if not, its in my profile), and some of the problems I've run into as well with getting the wood bed back together. I'm sure I've messed up quite a few things, but at least I got it back together for now as there is 3" of snow in the driveway
Last edited by nwoparamedics; Dec 1, 2004 at 12:20 AM.
