57 Denver project bed

[Ron in Indiana]

I've been working on a 57 W100 from Denver and thought I'd share a shot of the bed. Mar-K Products supplied the bed wood, bed angles, strips and bolt kit. The truck is Dodge Truck Red in base coat clear coat. The wood floor was sprayed with Martin Senour 5020 clear like the rest of the truck. I checked with them first and got their blessing to proceed. Today my Napa salesman and M-S paint rep stopped to check up on my progress. They were pleased with my work and said it looked great. The salesman said he was going to spray his truck bed the same way now that he's seen the results. I still have the bed angle bolts to drill and install but you get the idea.

[W_A_Watson_II]

WOW, looks great!

[Joe Cimoch]

Looking good Ron!

[CSCameron]

Very Nice! Good Job!

For contrast, here are a couple of shots of my 55 that I am disassembling right now. A lot of work ahead for me to get where you are at. :)

[Ron in Indiana]

I've had beds that bad. The one pictured was botched up with some "welder" welding the new bed angles on top of the old angles after he cut off the horizontal leg. We had to cut the angles off with a thin cut off wheel, clean them and reattach them to the besides. I saw your post on Joe's page. if a plasma cutter is out I'd use a 4 1/2" grinder with a thin cut off wheel on the welds. Follow up with an air hammer to help remove the pieces. DeWalt makes a good one which I've used for years. Horrible Freight is an option for a throw away tool, pay now or pay later. I'd use it to cut the bed bolts off the strips or a small bolt cutter. It all takes time but the results are worth it.

[CSCameron]

Thanks Ron, I appreciate the feedback and recommendation. I'm off to Lowes to check out the Dewalt.

Thanks again!

[Ron in Indiana]

Thanks Ron, I appreciate the feedback and recommendation. I'm off to Lowes to check out the Dewalt.

Thanks again!

No problem anytime. Just FYI having done several sets of bed angles, before you grind or clean up the sides measure down from the top of the bed to the old angles or line where it was. Record this measurement. Order new angles from Mar-K Products and get a hole punch to make holes for plug welding the new angles to the bed. I have some other tips when you get ready to do this job. I don't know what brand cut off wheels you got but SAIT are the best.

[CSCameron]

Thanks for the tips. I am still debating on the grinder. I'll source those SAIT discs. Thanks.

[Ron in Indiana]

You might try Craigslist for a grinder.

[74w300uteline]

Darn shame

That you will have to scrape that purdy paint to get a good bare metal ground for the taillights.

[Ron in Indiana]

Au contraire mon sewer

I don't have to scratch the purty red paint just the black paint on the tail light bracket at the bolt. Running a tap as I always do will give me ground to the bed through the 3/8" bolt of the bracket. We don't scratch the red paint on purpose.

[Kevin in Ohio]

Looks great Ron! So nice to start assembling stuff once all the "dirty" work is done.

If your not doing a 1000 point restoration you can get eliminate ANY potential ground problems by doing this. Tig weld a stainless bolt or screw to the body/frame where you need them. I put them in hidden places for the cab to frame, frame to bed, motor to frame, at the lights locations, ect. Used a poly washer then stainless hardware so no paint damage or future problems. One sure way to eliminate a variable. Kevin

[Ron in Indiana]

Thanks Kevin I planned on a body to bed ground strap. It has an engine to body strap. The only thing with your plan is I don't have a tig welder or know how to use one. I don't believe I'll have a problem with grounding. And yes it is always good when they go back together. I'm trying to get three finished so I can start all over again. But I don't mind pounding dents, sanding on the other hand not so much...

[horace]

Is that box Bermuda Coral or Dodge Red Truck Red?

[Ron in Indiana]

Is that box Bermuda Coral or Dodge Red Truck Red?

Dodge Truck Red