Truck Bed Restoration

[Falcon(63)]

I am wanting to restore my 51 Dodge's bed back to original. Any info on kits or whomever have done this. Thanks Henry in Illinois

[Merle Coggins]

Your best bet would probably be;

Bruce Horkey http://www.members.tripod.com/woodandparts/index.htm

or

MAR-K http://www.mar-k.com/

[Falcon(63)]

Thanks again Merle. You are wealth of knowledge.

Henry

[Guest 51plymouthod]

My wood came from Mar-K & it was beautiful. I'm sure the other place also has quality wood. My advice is to take a lot of pictures as you remove the old bed, which my wife---(yes, she helped!) and I found to be quite a chore. That way, you can remember just how the cross pieces that you bolt the skid strips to are placed when putting the new bed on. These, for the most part just sort of lay on the frame...but they 'lay' a certain way.

You're taking on a fun project and you will be amazed at the difference your new bed makes in your enjoyment of your Pilot House.

I also recommend you research all the information on the Mar-K website on woor refinishing products and talk to some other folks who have taken on this project to determine the pluses and minuses of the various products so you will wind up with the 'look' you want.

[grey beard]

Just finihsed reflooring my bed. I did the job with the hed on the frame. In hindsight, it would be advisable to remove the assembly, for it will save time in the end. Once you have all the hoards off, the bed box is just sitting on the frame, with only the running boards holding it in place. If you disconnect these boards, the entire assembly will lift off, fenders and all.

Once the box is off, you can sit it on its bulkhead, standing up straight in the air, with the tail gate on top. In this fashion, you can replace all the wood flooring and repaint or frefinish any crossmemgers or other structure as you choose. AND the bolts and nuts are infinitely easier to insall.

The two angle strips that meet the box sides are very important. They are welded to the metal sides, and carry all the weight of the box sides and bulkhead, but not the floor boards. If they are okay, Mar K makes new angles that fit over these, so you don't need to chisel them off. If you replace them, the new ones must be welded in place.,

Personally I bought my own white oak wood from a freind and cut it to size. This was several hundred dollars cheaper than buying ready made stuff, and the curtting and drilling is fairly easy. All the dimensions are listed on this web site. If you can't find em let me know and Ill provide them. I painted my boards and strips black as per original, for this one is a hauler, not a show vehicle. After your floor is all installed, get help to sit it on the frame again. There are just six 1/2 inch bolts that hold the box to the frame. Be sure to remember to replace the rubber pads beween the frame and the coss members at the six bolts. They sure look nice finished.

Good luck:)

[Mario Loya B1B]

Dave, I appreciate the detail in your description but would sure like to see a photo of the finished product.

[H Suhling]

Henry

Where abouts in Illinois?

Harvey

Kampsville, IL

[Falcon(63)]

About 150 miles south of you in DuQuoin.