Bed instalation ??

[Standing Elk]

I am getting ready to put the bed back on my 48 B1C. I was not the one who removed it so would like to know a couple things. I have the new boards cut but not bolted down yet. Should the cross members go on the frame first or should I try to attach them to the box then put the whole thing onto the frame. I am not sure how to tell where to locate the 6 mounting bolts in the outside boards. I know that this cannot be that difficult but would like a heads up before I get started. Thanks S.E.

[Plymouthy Adams]

It has been some 20+ years since I did a wooden bed in a Dodge..However I do recall I had the bed on the chassis and all cross braces and such positioned before I drilled and bolted the wood in place.. I would think if you tried to do the wood first and then transfer the bed..you may be drill new holes to aling the cross braces.

[pflaming]

The attachment shows an unmolested bed. I went the inexpensive route and put in a 4x8 plywood. I did mine OFF the truck. Some do not use the six bolts so I didn't either. Just bolted the cross members to the frame. Personal choice. Thats what I like about trucks, they get personal. Fun to see what others do. Good luck, takes time.

p.s. It may be more difficult to keep things square putting in single boards. By using the sheet I was able to hit all the holes, maybe I just got lucky. On the first picture you can see where the six holes are. The left side is the easiest to see. I'm not going to repaint my truck so did not think a fancy floor would look good. I stained the marine wood (both sides) before I put the shovel strips on.

Edited October 16, 2017 by pflaming

[tom'sB2B]

I went the same route as pflaming. I mounted the wood and all skid strips with the bed off the truck. I wished I had help getting the bed back on, it was a bear. It would be difficult to drill the mounting holes with the bed on. It can be a pain to get all of the skid strip bolts lined-up with all the mounting holes. I can't amagine trying to do it on my back.

I guess you can put it together off the truck, get three buddies to help you mount it, measure, take it off, drill and then mount it again.

hopefully someone else has an easier way.

[Merle Coggins]

I built my bed on the chassis, by myself. It wasn't too bad, although a helper would have been useful. I set the cross members on the frame and loosely attached them with a bolt through the bottom side of the channel. (In fact that's how I have the bed attached to the truck. I didn't use the long bolts through the boards) Then I assembled the sides, front and rear pieces together using jack stands to hold up the rear as the front was supported on the running boards with blocks. Then I started with the outside boards, so that I could reach underneath to tighten the nuts, and worked my way in. Once I set the center board in place I used weights to hold the bolts in place while I tightened the nuts from under the truck. Once I got it all assembled and squared up I tightened the mounting bolts on the cross members-frame.

My initial thought was to do the same layout, but after setting in the outer boards I would mark the through bolt location from underneath, remove the boards again and drill the holes. Then I changed my mind and just attached the cross members to the chassis without going up through the boards. It seems to be working just fine that way.

Merle

[HanksB3B]

If all else fails, read the instructions. Only in this case there aren't any! So how can you go wrong? Do all the steel first and don't forget to make some square 1/8" thick rubber or canvass washers where the bed frame meets the truck frame. Then do all the steel bed strips and wood. Most fun part of the truck, but I guess this time of year you won't be drinking any cold beers and that's really what makes it happen.

You'll be fine,

Hank

Edited January 2, 2012 by HanksB3B

[jpwuertz]

I did the same as Merle and did not use the big bolts in the outside boards. Why drill more holes when they are not really necessary on a truck where the box will not be used for any heavy hauling, I did bolt the cross members to the frame and this will keep anything from moving around. I did cut new washers from some flat belting and placed them between the crossmembers and the farme to prevent squeeking.