I know i have seen the answer to this here somewhere i think but- when did they switch from 9 boards to eight?(or the other way) I have an early 51 and i am not sure which bed kit to order. also what was the original bed wood? oak? do i need the heatshield under the bed? thanks for the help Joe
Joe, some time in "mid run" '51, chevy went from a 9 board to an 8 board bed. Easiest way for you to tell on yours is to count the holes in the rear crossmember. If it has holes for seven strips, it will have 8 boards. If it has holes for eight strips, then 9 boards. The original wood in these trucks was yellow pine. Hope this helps. Ken
Heat shied was to keep the boards from getting hot because the exhaust pipe is close to them where it bends up and over the axle.
Southern Hard Yellow Pine ~ this is getting hard to find ,regular pine wood is way too soft and won't last . Remember to paint the ends , side and undersides of the wood before you install it .
Tong Oil Funny thing you should mention it Russ , I just found a pint can if it in my garage , I'm needing to put something on the oak bed in my new '69 C/10 . I see there's mud & dust built up in the corners & edges , what should I use to remove that before applying the Tong Oil ? . TIA ,
Wood Cleaning I've not yet worked this rig much so no grease nor oil that I can see , just that dust that turns into mud when it gets wet.... Maybe I'll just climb in the bed with a hose & bristle bush and have at it.... Let it dry a few weeks before trying to oil it .
high pressure hose....pressure washing will actually raise the grain on the wood. Just use the ol pistol grip hose end and a brush for the aggravating spots.
Thanx russ ! I've always lusted after a pressure washer..... Maybe I can bribe The City Guy who pressure washed the sidewalks in Old Town so the yuppies don't have to step in chewing gum... . I see him out there every morning @ 0-Dark:30 as I'm going to work .
