I am pre-assembling my bed to work out things like the fuel filler, tank vent, etc. and previously did not have the cross sills that do not mount to the frame in the "correct" location per the Mar-K instructions. The instructions state; "Attach the second and third cross sills with cross sill brackets installed to the angle strip bolts approximately 26-3/8” and 35-3/16” from the front bed panel respectively." but the third sill location at 35 3/16" puts it at the rear shock upper mount.
In order to get the cross sill into location I need to raise the bed relative to the frame but once I do get it into that location I am not confident that it will not interfer with the shock when I lower the bed into place.
Have others had this problem? Should I relocate the third cross sill back one set of holes (that is where I hed it before I realized it was wrong)?
I can't help on a 3600, but I know that on my '51 3100, the second cross sill sits right behind the shock mount. But if it were put any farther back, it would be higher on the frame hump and likely hit the frame with the blocks in place for mounting.
I'd give Mar-K a call about it. Maybe send them your pictures.
Kevin 1951 Chevy 3100 work truck Follow this saga in Project Journal Photos 1929 Ford pickup restored from the ground up. | 1929 Ford Special Coupe (First car) Busting rust since the mid-60's If you're smart enough to take it apart, you darn well better be smart enough to put it back together.
I exchanged emails with Mar-K and basically was told - the shocks should not present a problem but relocating the "floating" cross sills also does not present any problems.
My plan going forward is to move the 3rd cross sill back one set of mounting holes which will put it approximately midway between the 2nd and 4th frame mounted cross sills and mount the remaining floating cross sill between the 4th and rear cross sills. I will measure the respective locations and make notes on my installation instructions so that when I am assembling the bed after paint (off the truck) that I get them in the correct locations.
I will update this thread with my final dimensions in case anyone wants to do the same.
My revised cross sill locations are as follows: 2nd - 26 3/8" (same as Mar-K) - also a frame mounting location 3rd - 44 1/4" ( moved back from Mar-K 35 3/16") - floating cross sill 4th - 63" (this is the same location as the 5th from Mar-K) - also frame mounting location 5th - 74 1/4" - this is basically half way beween the 4th and the rear cross sill - floating cross sill
This places one floating cross sill approximately midway between the 2nd and 4th frame mounting locations and one floating cross sill approximately midway between the 4th and rear cross sills.
