bed strip bolts size and quantity?

[bigmoe]

The plan for my 65 short fleet is to hide the bolts that fasten the bed to the frame. I reinforced the cross channels so I can bolt them from below. So my challenge for now is that I don't need to buy a complete bolt kit, I just need the bolts for the strips and the perimeter. I'm going to try to source them (s/s polished). Any suggestion for a source? Also the main reason for this post is I need to know the two sizes and quantities for the strips and around the perimeter. (Assuming they are different?)

[Lunnb]

I bought the SS bolts , washers and locknuts on Amazon . I have a long bed step so I needed a bunch for the strips , fenders ,etc and I bought plenty of extra . Total cost was about $80.00

[bigmoe]

Originally Posted by Lunnb

I bought the SS bolts , washers and locknuts on Amazon . I have a long bed step so I needed a bunch for the strips , fenders ,etc and I bought plenty of extra . Total cost was about $80.00

Do you have the size?

[Heater63]

Hardware at McMaster-Carr

Great kits at Mar-K, including hidden fasteners. Outstanding quality. Did a complete brand new bed including wood from them. Not a single bolt head visible in my bed.

[vin63]

If you go with stainless, be sure to use some antiseize compound.

I also went with the MAR-K hidden stainless strip and hardware kit.

[rcnutt]

there are 2 sizes for the bed....strips and then the perimeter.....cheaper to buy the kit

[Clyde65]

Totally Stainless has sets

[Lunnb]

Originally Posted by bigmoe

Do you have the size?

5/16x18x1.5” and 1/4 x20 x1.5”

[bigmoe]

Bought a 315 pc pss kit from LMC. (Doesn't include the big box to frame bolts)

5/16 x 1 1/2" bolt, lock washer and nut - 36ea

1/4 x 1 1/2" bolt, lock washer and nut - 62ea

Also came with 21 x 1/4" extra large washers. Why 21?

[cwcarpenter98]

Originally Posted by bigmoe

Bought a 315 pc pss kit from LMC. (Doesn't include the big box to frame bolts)

5/16 x 1 1/2" bolt, lock washer and nut - 36ea

1/4 x 1 1/2" bolt, lock washer and nut - 62ea

Also came with 21 x 1/4" extra large washers. Why 21?

The extra large washers are for the bolts where they don't go through the cross sills

[66_c10]

Does anyone know if the carriage bolts that comes in the kits(square carriage bolt) will work with the original bed strips(round hole)? I would like to reuse my original strips, but they were setup for a round and splined carriage bolts that are probably unavailable.

[bigmoe]

I bet if you took the strips and tapped a carriage bolt down in each hole the hole would easily take the square shape. You could set each hole over a piece of wood with a 3/8" hole and tap the carriage bolt down.
You might have to drill the strip hole a bit bigger?

[SkinnyG]

I bought one extra skid strip so I could do composite boards. The single didn't come drilled at all, so I transferred the hole location from on of the drilled strips, drilled all the holes, and then filed the holes square.

It didn't take all that long.

While you're trying to figure out an easy solution, just get started, and before you know it, you're done.

[66_c10]

I was just concerned the square carriage bolt would spin in the hole, but maybe not I will try it. If not I will spot weld them in from the back.

[LostMy65]

Originally Posted by Lunnb

5/16x18x1.5” and 1/4 x20 x1.5”

Which of these for just the strips down the middle?

[Killer Bee]

Originally Posted by LostMy65

Which of these for just the strips down the middle?

there are several different sizes and lengths in a complete kit but this may help you with the hardware assignments you're looking for..

https://www.mar-k.com/PDFs/Instructi...hort-Fleet.pdf

here's the full list if I had the wrong truck model..

https://www.mar-k.com/instructions.aspx

I don't believe mar-k offers their full instructions with diagrams on their website, they only send them when you buy a kit..

but they may be posted somewhere else on the interwebs and I probably have a copy at home somewhere..

if you need it let me know and I'll look for it - good luck!