zebcotia,
I am looking at our Loadstar 1700 dumper as I type. It too has 1" hardwood strips between the dumper and the frame. This dump assembly was installed by a shop that does it all the time...and they used wood.
As you drive down the road, you can see movement between the frame and the box. I think the wood prevents the metal to metal scuffing that would occur if it weren't there.
Stuart
