The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Bed Installation Technique

Before I start installing the bed in my 1950 Chevy PU, I would like to get some advice. Does anyone have a good idea on how to start threading the bed bolt nuts (and washers) in those hard to reach places? Perhaps your experience can help me with mine. Thanks.

Richie;
I'm assuming that you mean installing the wood section of the bed and not the bedsides, etc. Some of the bolts and nuts can be a bear to reach but I did get all of mine from under the bed with a mechanics gurney. The long bolts which go through the top bed wood, washers, the wood blocks and then the frame can get cocked a bit because some of the aftermarket bed rails don't line up perfectly (imagine that). Just take your time and get all of those installed before you tighten them all up. The bolts through the steel bed slats are pretty easy, just takes a while to get all of them installed. Put a brick on the top of the bed bolt to keep it down until you get the nut and washer started or get a friend to hold them down. The ones over the rear wheels and frame can be troublesome but you can jack up the body to give you some room. The final hard ones are in the rear cross member rail but those can be reached with one of the new style wrenches with the ratchet mechanism built into the wrench socket opening. Use a little painters tape to keep the nut and washer on until you get it started on the bolt. Just take your time and don't rush it. Good luck!