The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Making a Stovebolt Bed 1946 Mar-K bed kit

So I recently ordered and received my brand new sheet metal all the way around and wood. My question is this, when following the instructions after the front panel and sides are connected you attatch the rear cross sill and measure to make sure the bed is square. When aligning the side and rear sill in order to make the bed square and measure 48 1/2 across it take the side out of alignment with the predrilled holes on the bed side. Should I expect to have to drill holes or am I doing something wrong.

I bought the same kit and did not have to do any drilling whatso eve. it assembled just fine! I love it!

I bought the same kit for my 42 and just finished assembling it. Went together fine and looks awesome. The quality and fit are excellent, and the only holes I've had to drill were in the two wood bed pieces that abut the bedsides. I'd say an excellent purchase for me and probably for you as well.

Little Horse: We appreciate your business and take every inquiry and problem very seriously. Generally on the parts we make there is no drilling required to get the proper alignment. Occasionally a hole will be punched wrong or a stake pocket is formed slightly different and minor drilling is required to get them to align. Can you tell if it is just one hole that is wrong or is the pattern drastically off? Sometimes I remove one or two bolts where the stake pocket bolts to the rear sill. If I can get the proper dimension with a bolt out, then that bolt hole is the one that needs to be drilled.

By the way, the rear sill is punched on CNC before forming so it is very accurate. The Stake pockets holes are punched after forming and may have slight errors so if there is a problem, it usually is with the holes in the stake pocket.

Please let us know a little more detail about the problem.

Mar-Ktech

I was wondering if the sheet metal was primered?

Nope - no primer

So how can I be sure it just isn't me. If it all looks right and I am not sure I would even be able to tell if it didn't, whats next. When initially putting it together Mar-K sent the wrong length rod for the bed pan so I didn't have that in and tight. Could that be the reason for the top rear being almost an 1 1/2" wider and when I tilted it back in the bottom hinge hole was not even visible. It is taking a really long time to get the piece the sent incorrect. Wish they would have overnighted it or at least next day, but when I asked the response was sorry even when it is a Mar-K mistake we just ship the same "take forever way" (my words). I am just really impatient I fianlly can see a light at the end of the tunnel.

After my last post I received a call from Jame at mar-k. Not only do they help on the site but he was a big help on the phone. Turns out the holes on the bed side stake pocket was drilled in the wrong place. Lucky me. So I put it all back together and will be drilling the hole out on the rear cross sill so the it all fits square and upright. Thanks again for the quick response and assistance.
Brian