The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Bedwood

Finally got my new bed wood, got it all fitted, sealed and sanded and ready to install. Looking for tips from those of you who have installed new bed wood before. It would seem to make sense to just loose fit all the nuts and bolts first, but give me some pointers so I don;t want to throw wrenchs across the street in frustration.

You are on the right track. Get a friend to help and it will be even better. Just make sure you haven't mixed up the cross braces.

One thing I learned the hard way was to treat the wood thoroughly with both oil and varnish before installing the bed pieces. I originally used what was advertised as a high quality outdoor urethane varnish, but it only lasted a year before it started to lift. I took the wood out again, stripped, sanded and then used three coats of Watco Danish wood oil. After drying and light sanding I applied three coats of marine spar varnish. The color, finish and durability is much better.

Also, before your final tightening check the gaps on either side of the bed between the cab and make sure their kinda equal, not catty-wampus (I know thats hillbilly, not Hawaiian, but i love that word)I didn't on my '54 and that 1/4 round piece between the bed and running board got awful close to the cab on 1 side. Aloo-ha

hmn, and here I was thinking it was wampus kitty.

'shrug'



-W