Calling “57ChevyMan” - Bed Assembly Questions

[Dan in Pasadena]

For those reading this, please refer to the below thread, post #13 I linked:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...t=Bed+assembly

I have a few questions about the description of how you assembled your bed.

A side but important issue is: My rear-most bed sill still hasn’t been painted yet. The painter is asking which of the 10 holes are correct and which should be welded shut?

Doing a search I found a few pics that I THINK show all 10 holes should stay(?) here are 3 holes on each end AND 4 holes centered for the stock license plate bracket - though only 2 are needed.

The primered sill shows the four license bracket holes. I thought only my sill had four. Anyone know WHY there was 4?

The red bed shows 3 holes on each end. The 2 holes, one-over-the-other on end Bolt to the bed sides, correct? What’s the other one for?

57ChevyMan Questions: Your description talks about installing the front panel in step #1, then again in step #7. Was that just an error?

You mention the “main board” - I assume you mean TWO main boards, the ones the bolts go through? Also, it never occurred to me that I would need to drill the bolt holes and auger the counter sink for the washers. I’m in process of varnishing my boards now so thats gonna screw things up. Guess I’ll just drill through masking tape and hope for the best!

Last, we removed my angle strips and will be drilling for the polished stainless ones into the bed stakes and where the fenders will cover the nuts. Any tricks you can give on that process?

[Rude Dude]

Just a few measurements I made when I drilled my bed wood hope this helps Dan

BED WOOD
Mounting Holes drilled are measured 2 3/4 from inside edge out to fender

1st hole = 4 3/4 x 2 3/4 nearest rear cross sills
2nd hole = 23 1/2 x 2 3/4
3rd hole = 50 1/2 x 2 3/4
4st hole = 74 1/2 x 2 3/4 front near cab

[Dan in Pasadena]

Thanks Rudy. I’m sure they’ll come in handy when I have to drill shortly.

I’m putting on the 4th coat on the top sides of the board this afternoon. I’m still reluctant to sand aggressively to get the finish totally flat before putting on the next coat. Feels like I should be able to do it by now but I don’t want to sand through the finish.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Here’s a (bad) pic of my rear cross sill. Are the three holes on each end all needed? What’s the slightly larger, third one for?

The extra ones above the four license plate brackets are NOT stock and should be welded shut as far as I know. Anyone disagree?

[Dan in Pasadena]

No one knows what the larger holes on the end are for?

[57chevyman]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

57ChevyMan Questions: Your description talks about installing the front panel in step #1, then again in step #7. Was that just an error?

You mention the “main board” - I assume you mean TWO main boards, the ones the bolts go through? Also, it never occurred to me that I would need to drill the bolt holes and auger the counter sink for the washers. I’m in process of varnishing my boards now so thats gonna screw things up. Guess I’ll just drill through masking tape and hope for the best!

Last, we removed my angle strips and will be drilling for the polished stainless ones into the bed stakes and where the fenders will cover the nuts. Any tricks you can give on that process?

hey Dan! the first step was just to lay the front panel in its spot... step 7 was when its actually attached with hardware

yes the "main boards" i refered to are the two that the bolts go thru.
i bought bed wood that was predrilled, so i didnt have to worry about the drilling.
i attached my angles to the floor with hardware. i did have to drill for that. as far as attaching to the sides , i did a few tack welds.

[57chevyman]

..

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally Posted by 57chevyman

hey Dan! the first step was just to lay the front panel in its spot... step 7 was when its actually attached with hardware

yes the "main boards" i refered to are the two that the bolts go thru.
i bought bed wood that was predrilled, so i didnt have to worry about the drilling.
i attached my angles to the floor with hardware. i did have to drill for that. as far as attaching to the sides , i did a few tack welds.

Thanks Frank!

I wish I’d bought my wood with the holes pre drilled now, damn. But I’ll figure it out somehow. Measure and square eveythingn up about a dozen times before I do anything permanent.

When you say you attached the angle strips to the floor...I’m going to have to think about that. They attach to the ends of the cross sills and to the front panel (I think) correct? To hold the wood down just like all the flat strips except in my case they WON’T be attached til I drill the holes into the bed sides.

[la hi]

Will a 57 chevy truck bumper fit on this rearend with the trailer hitch there?

[57chevyman]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

Thanks Frank!

I wish I’d bought my wood with the holes pre drilled now, damn. But I’ll figure it out somehow. Measure and square eveythingn up about a dozen times before I do anything permanent.

When you say you attached the angle strips to the floor...I’m going to have to think about that. They attach to the ends of the cross sills and to the front panel (I think) correct? To hold the wood down just like all the flat strips except in my case they WON’T be attached til I drill the holes into the bed sides.

i have to look at it tomorrow to remember what I did. I am sure that I attached the angle strips to the wood and sills with hardware and I didn't attach it to the metal sides at all for a while.

[57chevyman]

Originally Posted by la hi

Will a 57 chevy truck bumper fit on this rearend with the trailer hitch there?

probably yes but you wont be able to use the hitch anymore. assuming its bolted on, id just remove it. is that a 57 frame ?

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally Posted by la hi

Will a 57 chevy truck bumper fit on this rearend with the trailer hitch there?

Uh....I hate to mention it but you’re hijacking my thread with your post. But since you only have 133 posts I’ll assume you didn’t understand - though I don’t understand why you’d put a post about a trailer hitch on this thread.

Anyway, back to my remaining question: Does anyone know the purpose for the one larger hole on each end of the rear-most bed cross sill?

[oldman3]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

Anyway, back to my remaining question: Does anyone know the purpose for the one larger hole on each end of the rear-most bed cross sill?

Dan I'm not sure on this, just a guess, but could it have been for wires to the stock tail lights...Jim

[svr]

On mine the big hole is not used, you can not see it from the out side, will try to get a pic for you

[svr]

Here ya go, i also welded mine back the way it was to keep the bed sides from moveing around, have some cleanup to do before final prime and paint.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Hmmm, ok thanks. I could have sworn I’ve seen a chrome hex head bolt in that hole but for the life of me I can’t remember to hold what.

If I don’t need it I’d better get it welded up before final paint. Thanks so much for the info and the picture!