The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk installing a new wood bed '64 fleetside

Someone once told me the best way to do it was to remove the bed and put the wood in under it. Someone else said u can remove the fender wells inside the bed and just slide them in. How do u actually do it? What are the different ways? What are the pros and cons of each one? I am ready to install the bed but i am curious as to a good way of installing it without scratching the paint.
jason

There are seven bolts inside the fender tub that hold it to the side of the bed. Get those, and the carriage bolts thru the bed wood out, and the tubs will lift out of place. The bed sides, and front panel have flanges that the wood rests on top of, not below, and is bolted thru. So there's really no way to install the wood from underneath(that I am aware of) Start in the front corners, and work your way toward the middle plank. Dont drill holes or bolt anything up till you have everything in place and adjusted properly. When re installing the fender tubs (last) position the seven side bolts first, then line up the bolts that go thru the wood, then tighten it all down. Thats how I've done it. Some others may have some tips/tricks as well. HTH

I left fenderwells attached. I put the rails down, set the bed on top. Then pick up each corner & slide a short board in. Then start assembling other boards & strips. I found a socket that was a good "spacer" as you want to space boards all out correctly before tightening it all down. Brian

in between the wheel tubs and the bed side it appears to be some kind of gasket? Is it replaceable or can you just bolt it back without replacting it?

I use Strip-Caulk by 3M, commonly called "dum-dum". Brian

what is strip caulk and where do you buy it? Do you buy it where you buy like bathroom caulking? Is it in the same type of tube? What color is it?

strip caulking where do you find it? What color is it? Is it in a tube like bathroom caulking and such?

Strip-caulk by 3M, for sale at real parts stores. Its a putty-like string-like stuff, its black. Used for sealing tailites on newer cars. In a cardboard box, blue & white. You might try a body supply store. Brian