Click on image for the lowdown. 
====
| | | Forums66 Topics128,090 Posts1,056,016 Members48,430 | | Most Online14,466 Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
Lots of work on Brad's part ... pure enjoyment (and references) for you!
| | THANKS!
For helping keep this great
old truck web site
on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down with Ads! Again, thanks! | | | | Joined: May 2001 Posts: 71 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: May 2001 Posts: 71 | My aftermarket replacement bed sides didn't come with fender holes drilled, anyone have any tips? I attached the running board and splash apron so that should locate the fender in the front. For the rear, I believe the second hole from the bottom should go through the bed's angle strip?
Also, is the splash apron supposed to have about a 1" gap (I'll get a picture later) to the bottom of the bed side?
'53 Chevy truck 1/2 ton
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2010 Posts: 775 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Aug 2010 Posts: 775 | Try Mar-K they sell bed sides. Give them a call. http://www.mar-k.com | | | | | Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 9,671 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 9,671 |
Denny G Sandwich, IL
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2010 Posts: 775 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Aug 2010 Posts: 775 | My gap is about 1/4 inch; the thickness of the rubber pad that belongs under the wood block that supports the bed floor. | | | | | Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 9,671 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 9,671 | Which raises another question. Did the trucks actually have a rubber pad under the blocks from the factory or is that just an invention of a creative vendor who thought it might be a good idea???
Denny Graham Sandwich, IL
Denny G Sandwich, IL
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 2,393 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 2,393 | That is a good question Denny. When I removed my '50 bed it had a very heavy webbing (deteriorated some) so maybe the rubber came later. I may have seen the webbing on a pic of it from DADS50 maybe?
Drew
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2010 Posts: 775 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Aug 2010 Posts: 775 | I agree. They came with a heavy canvas woven pad probably 3/32 to 1/16in. I still have mine. I can take a photo if you want. | | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 3,596 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 3,596 | I would like to see the pictures of your woven pads for my own reference please post when you can. | | | | | Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 9,671 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 9,671 | How bout you Brad, you've probably seen more original truck beds off the frame than anyone here on the forum. What have you seen during all of your salvage operations??
Denny G
Denny G Sandwich, IL
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 3,596 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 3,596 | Denny most of the trucks I have bought were either big boys, cabs, or had the bed off the truck. I have seen bits and pieces but never enough for me to do a study on them. The complete trucks that I bought for resale I never really looked close enough, I will from now on. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2011 Posts: 1,362 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2011 Posts: 1,362 | I'd take them back if they don' have holes. Go with the Mar k, like the other fellow posted.
Kicking self for selling off my Taskforce trucks. Still looking for an LCF or conventional big bolt in decent shape.
As of 10-26-2022, A 55.2 Taskforce long bed now the work begins
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2010 Posts: 775 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Aug 2010 Posts: 775 | There uploaded on my photobucket. I suspect they were vulcanized material like tires. I suspect they were about 1/4 inch thick when new. They are a little over 1/8 now. | | |
| |