wood bed header panel
 

Question pertaining to the header panel of the box. Its my understanding that a wood bed sits on top of the header panel flange. Correct?

In my case my truck is some sort of monster and its been quite the mess... Took well over 8 hours to get the rotten wood out of the way for my new boards.

Question is (and I already have the wood) do I need to replace the header panel with the correct part for the wood to fit correctly or can I run it the same way the PO ran the wood. Which is under the flange all the way around the bed. Near as I can tell I have the correct cross braces and the correct tailgate panel for wood just incorrect header panel.

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u...011_124550.jpg
Cut my boards using the old cutouts as a guide of sorts

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u...014_211617.jpg
was left with a few sections of ply wood after the tubs were removed.

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u...015_213603.jpg
Got most of the wood out still have a few sections left to fight every nut in the bed was rusted to the bolt. I can't even begin to explain this night mare. PO had a rotten bed and instead of replacing the rotted wood he just put another layer of 3/4 ply right on top which has left me with a bit of rust issue.

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u...014_211639.jpg
was left with some fire starter after it was all said and done!!!!
And yes that is a porterbuilt c-notch in the foreground of this pic :devil:
build thread to come soon.

Re: wood bed header panel
 

correct on the first question. i would find a wood panel otherwise the front of the wood won't be supported. i believe someone makes a conversion bracket but i forget if it's for converting FROM or TO wood... or you could probably make one easy enough that spans underneath. it might look a bit funny at the top where the trim pieces end.

i think mostwood beds are inthe condition you described. definitely a lot of work!

Re: wood bed header panel
 

You are correct MAR-K makes/has that part! I ordered one. Once I cut out the front panel strip and use it as a graft for a few places that have a bit to much cancer.

Thanks!