bed wood project

[gwcrim]

The only instructions I've seen for replacing the angle strips says to mark their location with a pencil or something.  Then reinstall the new ones at the same height.  I marked the bedside with a pencil but most of the mark is gone since I've had to grind off lots of rust and scaly paint.  It's not rocket science but 1- it's my first time and 2- the bedsides bow in 1/2-3/4 inch.  That adds some complexity.  My thought is to put the angles and outer boards in together.  Sort of....

[JohnnyPopper]

Sorry, I had to re-read your post. Now I get it!

Ok, So the angles are pinned both horizontally and vertically.

So I agree with you, both should go in at the same time.

Once in place on both sides, you will need to do two things:

1, you will need to place C clamps vertically to hold the angle strips to the top of the new wood planks. The idea is to clamp the wood between the angle strips and the sills.

 Just snug at first because of what comes next.

2, you will need to place wood or other material between the bed sides where they are bowing, to push them out square with the body.

Make for yourself two or more 'persuaders' out of wood or metal tubing, round or square, that are just 1/4 inch longer than the bedsides are wide.

With both sides wood and angles clamped in place, Place the 'persuaders' across the bed, on top of the angle strips. They won't fit because they are oversize.

Gently tap the persuaders to go as perpendicular to the bedsides as possible, until you work out the bows.

Check for square front to back, use hammer to move slightly till you get what you want or as close as possible.


Now clamp the entire assembly tight, mark your holes and drill baby drill!

Insert bolts and snug up till the final final lock down.

Ever hear of Tung oil? Works really well as a permanent sealer, and brings out the beauty of the wood. Not as cheap as motor oil, but...

[gwcrim]

I put two coats of Minwax stain on the wood today.  Early American tint.  It's kinda darkish.  I'll finish it off with used motor oil. 

I follow what you're saying about the installation.  It will be a few days before I get to that.  After I do another coat or two of Rustoleum.

[JohnnyPopper]

I've used Minwax, great stuff even when you're revitalizing wood paneling.

Can you do us all a favor? pls post pics, they really help!

[gwcrim]

These are a few before assembly shots.

[gwcrim]

A few more for reference.

[JohnnyPopper]

Dude that is the same color as my K10! I like her already...

Shots look good! Thanks, it means a lot to us old guys when we see progress.

So the replacement wood slats are not separated at every Metal bed Strip? I think the stock wood slats were separate, but I would have to look.

Being that wide may pose a problem with the C clamp suggestion.

Minwax looks good, I wouldn't go with the used motor oil but to each his own.

[gwcrim]

Us old guys, indeed.  I drove that truck home from the dealer the day my Dad bought it.  December 1979.  I was 18 years old.

Stainless strips will separate the boards on assembly.  Right now, I have two boards in each side with 1x1s wedged between to take the bow out of the bedsides.  I've been measuring and planning on how and where to drill the holes.  Biggest issue is that the angle strips are barely higher than the step on the outside of the front of the bed.  It's going to be real close.  I think there is only just enough room to squeeze a bolt and nut.

[JohnnyPopper]

Forgive me, I thought you were younger. 

Nice memory of buying the truck. Nicer that he let YOU drive!

I would have like to think that my K10 is the truck my dad would have bought me when I turned 18 that year, had he the means and desire. Of which he had neither, but oh well, I got her now...

So the slats are separate- their just so close it looks like they are one piece.

Yeah, sound tight. I'm sure you'll pull it off. Can't wait to see the finished project!

[gwcrim]

I requested a 4x4 when he bought it.  He flat out said no.  He knew better.

[gwcrim]

I got all the holes drilled in the angle strips and bedsides.  Tonight I'll start trial fitting the wood, etc.  I'm at the point now where I need to decide how to attach the bed.  Hidden bolts or not.

I really don't like the looks of the big bed bolts so I'd rather hide them.  I don't have a forstner bit nor a drill press, either.  But it seems like hiding them under the wood makes installation more difficult.  I suppose I'd have to weld the carriage bolts to the cross beams and then assemble the bed and then lower it on to the frame.  Have to hope that the bolts would align with the frame holes.

Decisions, decisions.

[JohnnyPopper]

Did the replacement slats come with pre drilled holes? pry not huh?

I agree, they aren't pretty but they do look 'stock'. When I get around to doing mine, I think I'm going with stock. Not sure how I'm going to recess the areas for the washers...

[gwcrim]

No pre drilled holes at all in the wood. 

I had it all laid out tonight.  It's a snug fit side to side.  Edge boards are marked for holes.  I'll get some carriage bolts tomorrow and see what it looks like.

[JohnnyPopper]

For what some of these guys charge for their bed material you think they could drill some holes...

[gwcrim]

Some places will drill holes and even counter sink for hidden bolts.  Mar K will do it.  As usual, I went about it a weird way.

I'm now officially putting things back together.  Leaning toward standard mount apparatus.  I'd rather not vary from the factory design.  It's just more simple.