Bed mounting hardware for short box step side.

1977banana · Dec 4, 2024

Just thought I would see if there are other experiences with difficulty finding the correct bed mount bolts for step side square bodies.
Its not rocket science, but suppliers are oblivious to having incorrect product, and in this case anyway aren't at all interested in fixing the problem. To me that's extremely embarrassing for a large company as it shows their employees know nothing about the products they sell.

I just bought a set (30-0144) from LMC for my 1977 Chevy, and that kit is maybe for a Toyota or something because they are tiny, maybe 5/16 or 3/8 and way too small of a head, the square part is about a quarter the size it needs to be and all the washers are too small and round with round holes, not offset with square holes. DO NOT waste your time getting that kit, mine went to the scrap metal bin.

Also if anyone knows who sells the CORRECT large diameter (takes a 3/4 wrench on the nut) large head large square shank with the correct large offset washers set please chime in. My original hardware set had the 7 short 1 long combo, but I could get by with 8 shorter if that is all I could find and all the other stuff was correct.

bucket · Dec 4, 2024

1977banana said:
Just thought I would see if there are other experiences with difficulty finding the correct bed mount bolts for step side square bodies.
Its not rocket science, but suppliers are oblivious to having incorrect product, and in this case anyway aren't at all interested in fixing the problem. To me that's extremely embarrassing for a large company as it shows their employees know nothing about the products they sell.

I just bought a set (30-0144) from LMC for my 1977 Chevy, and that kit is maybe for a Toyota or something because they are tiny, maybe 5/16 or 3/8 and way too small of a head, the square part is about a quarter the size it needs to be and all the washers are too small and round with round holes, not offset with square holes. DO NOT waste your time getting that kit, mine went to the scrap metal bin.

Also if anyone knows who sells the CORRECT large diameter (takes a 3/4 wrench on the nut) large head large square shank with the correct large offset washers set please chime in. My original hardware set had the 7 short 1 long combo, but I could get by with 8 shorter if that is all I could find and all the other stuff was correct.

The smaller hardware is for the steel strips between the wood. The carriage bolts that mount the bed are 1/2"x13 (course thread) bolts. I don't recall the proper length, it's been many years.

1977banana · Dec 4, 2024

yes the diameter of what they sent is similar to the strip bolts, maybe a bit bigger but only a qty of 8 and labelled as bed mounting bolts, so thats what they think is correct lol. 1/2" thread sounds right for the correct ones I want to say the short bolts are about 6" and the long ones 10 or 11"

1977banana · Dec 4, 2024

Ok, so after hunting around, AMD has the correct bolt kits in stock if anyone wants the right ones. They have the long bolt/short bolt combo as well as the all shortbolt.
The 2 long bolt kit p/n is 727-4073-2S and the kit with all the same length (short bolt) is 727-4073-1S.

Ricko1966 · Dec 5, 2024

1977banana said:
Just thought I would see if there are other experiences with difficulty finding the correct bed mount bolts for step side square bodies.
Its not rocket science, but suppliers are oblivious to having incorrect product, and in this case anyway aren't at all interested in fixing the problem. To me that's extremely embarrassing for a large company as it shows their employees know nothing about the products they sell.

I just bought a set (30-0144) from LMC for my 1977 Chevy, and that kit is maybe for a Toyota or something because they are tiny, maybe 5/16 or 3/8 and way too small of a head, the square part is about a quarter the size it needs to be and all the washers are too small and round with round holes, not offset with square holes. DO NOT waste your time getting that kit, mine went to the scrap metal bin.

Also if anyone knows who sells the CORRECT large diameter (takes a 3/4 wrench on the nut) large head large square shank with the correct large offset washers set please chime in. My original hardware set had the 7 short 1 long combo, but I could get by with 8 shorter if that is all I could find and all the other stuff was correct.

30 0144 is 1960-66

Ken B · Dec 5, 2024

I think i got all my hardware from Classic Parts.com. Wood, stainless strips, hardware,tailgate chains

Keith Seymore · Dec 5, 2024

The bolts themselves are the same as the fleetside box bolts (there weren't unique bolts between the two).

Short vs Long usage would vary based on engine type and subsequent exhaust type (LH side, RH side or dual exhaust). The short bolts are the default; the long bolts were to provide easier access in the pit when tightening down the box bolt nuts.

So - I say all that to say - one could use all short fleetside bolts and it would be fine.

I cannot offer any insight regarding the offset washers.

K

1977banana · Dec 7, 2024

Ok, if the bolts are all supposed to be the same for fleet and step, then the bolts LMC have listed are neither step-side or fleet-side mounting bolts for a square body because they are several sizes too small in diameter 5/16 or 3/8 vs 1/2" and the heads are about 1/2 to 1/3 the size as well. Additionally, the shank or square part under the head is way smaller than the square cut out in the offset washers so those would just spin. The LMC kits have a qty of 8 which means they aren't mixing them up with the bed strip bolts so they are just not correct in any way. In fact, almost all of the available suppliers for bed hardware have different pictures on what is correct, most of which are also incorrect. but I'm just letting everyone know most of those listings are incorrect for whatever reason. The part numbers I listed from AMD are correct. I have had to go to AMD several times when other mainstream suppliers have an incorrect part listed as correct. Another one would be window regulator rollers so far.

Ricko1966 · Dec 7, 2024

Well it seems they have a catalog error. When I first looked them up by number it came up pre66. Next time it was pre 72. This time it was squarebody stepside only,as well. My apologies for my previous post

1977banana · Dec 7, 2024

No, I ordered correctly per their catalog. Why would I order for pre-66 when my truck is a 1977? I've been a parts person / parts manager for 40 years at various dealerships this is their listing from the 73-87 catalog under the short box step side picture heading. The separate drawing they show for the bolts in their listing is correct, however the part they supply for the application (30-144), is not even close as I have shown.

Ricko1966 · Dec 7, 2024

1977banana said:
No, I ordered correctly per their catalog. Why would I order for pre-66 when my truck is a 1977? I've been a parts person / parts manager for 40 years at various dealerships this is their listing from the 73-87 catalog under the short box step side picture heading. The separate drawing they show for the bolts in their listing is correct, however the part they supply for the application (30-144), is not even close as I have shown.

You and I were typing the same time. I was editing and apologizing while you were typing. Sorry. Here's a pic of what I looked up the first time,even though it said 77 in the searc,the item description was 60-66. But I looked again multiple times today,to make sure I wasn't crazy( might be) and they list this bolt package in all kinds of listings.

1977banana · Dec 7, 2024

Oh, no worries

.. It actually gets weirder than I described because the sticker on the front side of the box says 67-72 Chevrolet which I told them about and they said they are the same....and what is a trunk bed panel bolt kit lol...

Rick76 · Dec 9, 2024

I just did the bed in my 76 short stepside. I ordered my washers from Mar-K. I remember not being certain I could get the right thing from any other supplier. They cost me, but were right when they showed up and have been on the truck ever since. DM me if you have any other bed questions. I was in there hard core this summer.

Part number: 100105
B-F WASHER SST UNPOL
1 7/8 X 1/2 SQ HOLE OFFST

hoagster · Dec 9, 2024

I just purchased these and they are as advertised!

You must be registered for see images attach

Bennyt · Dec 9, 2024

I tried a few years ago to tell LMC a simple part was wrong and I gave up. The part was a $1 nut that was supposed to be fine thread and they mispackaged it with coarse. I was just trying to help them out so customers wouldn't be upset. They wanted pictures, documentation, etc. I told them to just go check their bins.

Bed mounting hardware for short box step side.

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