FAQs

We can make steel or stainless steel bed strips nearly any length you want! Aluminum bed strips are available up to 97" long. Order your bed strips with or without holes for any custom application. We have standard bed strips available in polished or unpolished stainless steel and steel and bed strips with hidden fasteners in polished or unpolished stainless steel, steel and aluminum. Angle Strips, Angle Covers and Bed strips can all be purchased through our Online Catalog. We can make custom strips according to your dimensions. We just need you to fill out our custom forms and fax or mail them to us.

You can remove the bed wood edge boards without removing the angle strip bolts by destroying the edge board or by removing the rear sill and front bed panel. New edge boards are installed by sawing a slot from the angle strip bolt hole to the edge of the board, then sliding the edge board under the angle strip.

GM pickups from 1973 to 1987 originally had the angle strip bolts welded to the angle, making them very hard to remove. You should try to keep the original bolts in place if the threads are not damaged or rusted. If it is necessary to remove damaged bolts, grind the bolt heads away completely with a body grinder until the original angle strip material under the bolt head is exposed. Be careful to prevent damage to the angle strip. Then tap the bolt up through the angle strip to remove it. If you are removing the angle strip entirely, then just remove the angle strip with the bolts intact. For more information on this see our instructions for 73-87 angle strips.

Angle covers are made for GM and Dodge Stepside trucks. They are similar to an angle strip but cover the existing angle strip to renew the appearance. Angle covers do not go over the angle strip bolts. The angle strip bolts pass through the angle cover and the angle strip, and hold the angle cover firmly down against the angle strip. The angle covers come without holes so you can drill your own holes to perfectly match the original bolt locations.

Bed wood is only guaranteed for 14 days from the date it ships. For this reason, it is better to wait to order your bed wood until right before you are ready to install it in your truck. Custom Bed Wood is NOT RETURNABLE.

If you own a 67-72 GM wide bed pickup with original steel floor, MAR-K can supply replacement parts to convert it to a wood floor, which was an option in those models. For other applications we can provide custom designed metal strips, wood boards, and hardware to your specification for most any truck or trailer. These parts can be laid on top of the metal bed, or the bed could be cut out and replaced with our parts. We only make straight cuts in the wood (no wheel tub cutouts) and the maximum width per board is 9". See a list of parts. Further information about custom bed parts available in the MAR-K catalog.

Yes. Instead of the complete bed wood kit, you will need to install a strip of wood on each side of the bed under the angle strip. It should be 3/4" thick and at least 1-1/2" wide and should have holes drilled to match the angle strip holes. This board will act as a spacer between the cross sills and the angle strip to position the bedsides at the correct height over the cross sills.

Your cross sills should attach to the frame at the bed to frame mounting points, and the rear sill also attaches to the frame. Just pass the bed to frame bolts through the cross sills to bolt them to the frame. All cross sills attach to the angle strip, which holds the bedside in position relative to the frame and cab. Just be sure to put the 3/4" thick board between the angle and the cross sills.

You do not have to remove the bed for the wood installation. Many people remove the bed to get easier access to all the bolts that come through. This also gives you the chance to inspect for rust or other damage. If you do not remove the bed, be sure to support the bed sides when you take out the old wood. Lift each side slightly to remove and replace the edge boards. The center boards can be removed and replaced without lifting the bed sides.

Yes, we can make custom bed wood, strips and hardware for nearly any truck. We just need you to fill out our custom forms and fax or mail them to us. Custom bed wood is not returnable.

No, MAR-K oak bed wood is grooved, sanded, cut-to-size and ready for you to finish. MAR-K pine bed wood is grooved, planed, cut-to-size and ready for you to sand and finish.

MAR-K sells Finish It - a Wood Bed Marine Spar Varnish is a clear urethane-phenolic varnish for use on automotive wood flooring. Formulated with an ultra-violet screening agent, FINISH IT will hold its gloss on exterior surfaces far better than conventional varnishes. Excellent for use on car and pickup truck wood floors where a durable clear gloss finish is desired. Kits are Available for Short and Long Bed Trucks or quarts are sold individually.

The black painted wood, in our testing, seems to hold up the best under continuous outdoor exposure. However, we also make a Marine Spar Varnish called Finish It for your wood bed.

Wood Bed Marine Spar Varnish is a clear urethane-phenolic varnish for use on automotive wood flooring. Formulated with an ultra-violet screening agent, FINISH IT will hold its gloss on exterior surfaces far better than conventional varnishes. Excellent for use on car and pickup truck wood floors where a durable clear gloss finish is desired. Kits are Available for Short and Long Bed Trucks or quarts are sold individually.

Failure of the finish usually occurs first at a sharp edge of the board or at the ends. A few hints:

1. Round over all the sharp edges of the wood to at least 1/16" radius and more if you can. This will keep the coating from becoming thin on these areas.
2. Be sure to saturate the ends of the boards with the coating until they will not absorb any more. We try to put twice as many coats of finish on the ends of the boards as on the surfaces.
3. Pine wood boards are best painted or with a natural finish. These boards do not take stain very well and the grain patterns do not always match, especially on the larger boards.
4. For show quality beds, we recommend using oak as the grain is tighter and more uniform.

Our wood is kiln dried, not treated. Kiln drying is a process of heating the boards to reduce the amount of moisture to 10 percent for oak and 25% for pine. Kiln drying helps prevent the boards from cracking and warping after installation.

For more information about MAR-K bed wood and the different options available, see our Online Catalog.

The 55 2nd series to 59 model Chevy short stepside beds originally had the 3rd cross sill that is different from the other two cross sills. The outer end of the 3rd sill is formed upward to provide clearance under the sill and outward from the frame. Your truck suspension may or may not require that special cross sill. It is available from MAR-K. Specify a #3 cross sill for your 55-59 Chevy short bed, part # 110483 to be sure your parts will fit correctly.

The 51 model Chevy stepside beds had two different wood bed patterns. The early 51 has 9 boards and 8 bed strips. The late 51 has 8 boards and 7 bed strips. This means the hole pattern on the cross sills will be different. Make sure you know what your original bed has, or replace all the bed floor parts (cross sill, rear cross sill, wood/strips/hardware) and buy them all to match one way or the other.

Yes and yes. The stepside cross sills install like an upside down "U" with the flat area with the holes in it up toward the top of the bed. You can see diagrams of this in our GM Bed to Frame Mounting Examples. The specific location can be found where your bed mounting holes are in your bed wood. The bed-to-frame holes go through the wood, through the cross sill (or rear cross sill) and down to the frame. Fleetside cross sills are generally installed with a right side up "U", or the opposite of the stepside.

Go to the Online Catalog. Enter your year, make and model of truck. Choose the cross sill and look at the long description. It will tell you how many you need of each cross sill.

We make them every day! There are also over 20 other options for your bed sides. These custom "UPGRADES" are a MAR-K exclusive. Since we make your bed sides right here, we can customize them in lots of different ways. This can save you time and money at the body shop. Try polished stainless angles or teardrops welded on. Choose no latch, no angles, no fender holes or no embossment - it all depends on what you want to do with your ride. We also have some specialized upgrades for certain makes and models, for example, we can install the latch pin to work with MAR-K's custom tailgate with handle and latch mechanism. Go to our Online Catalog and see all the different options for your truck.

Ford front bed panels are always bolted to the bed side at the top angled surface (two bolts on each side), and riveted or bolted or welded at the vertical surface. Customers drill their own holes or weld them to the front bed panel as they see fit.

Our front bed panels for 51-72 Ford short Flareside beds are made just like the original parts in shape, appearance, fit, and metal thickness. Some of the Fords used rivets to secure the front bed panels to the bed sides, and others were spot welded. MAR-K front bed panels do not have the holes drilled for rivets so that you can use either attachment method. We also have a custom front bed panel available for these trucks. This panel has pointed ends that meet at the top of the bed side. To see these two options, just go to the Online Catalog.

No. The sheet metal parts MAR-K manufactures are made of electro-galvanized steel. This means the metal is electroplated with a thin layer of zinc by the steel manufacturer. There are several reasons for selecting this steel for our product.

1. Electro-galvanized steel is clean and dry. The parts you receive are free of contaminants such as dirt and oil which would cause problems when preparing for paint.
2. The zinc protects our parts from rusting during our processing and while on the shelf. You are assured of receiving a clean, rust-free part which may be painted with minimal preparation.
3. After the parts are painted the zinc under the paint helps prevent loss of paint adhesion or rusting if the paint surface is scratched or damaged.

For more information about this, see our Tips & Tricks page - Facts about our Parts.

The 12" bolts go through the front cross sill and frame at the front of the bed.

For 67 and newer GM trucks, the front hole of each bed strip (attaching to the front bed panel) is a different size than the rest of the holes. The front hole of each strip is 5/16" square. The standard hole size for GM bed strips is 1/4". This affects the bolts used in this hole. Please be aware of this before installing your strips so that you will use the correct bolt size and not come up short!

For 69-70 GM Fleetsides, side mouldings are attached entirely by screws or metal clips inside the mouldings. Each clip requires a hole drilled in the body and is held in the hole by either a stud and nut or a "push-in" snap type retainer. In the 71-72 model years, side mouldings are attached by a combination of metal clips and plastic retainers with adhesive. The metal clips are usually at the ends of the mouldings and the plastic retainers in the center. Holes are not drilled for the plastic retainers but are needed for the metal clips. MAR-K offers both types of moulding attachments. The mouldings come with clips according to the year specified.

Yes, you can order moulding kits and individual mouldings using our Online Catalog.

Yes, most of the MAR-K mouldings include the clips needed to install the part on your truck. Our clips are made to fit better than the ones GM supplies. We have mouldings for GM 55-59 and 62-72 Fleetside trucks.

Yes. Your tag will hang off your rear pan 1" - 1 1/2" depending on the year of truck. For more information on using a rear pan with the tag box, see our Tips & Tricks: Rear Cross Sill Modification to use MAR-K rear pan with tag box.

Billet aluminum taillights, such as those sold by Billet Specialties and many other retailers may be installed in the rear pan. Installation requires cutting a hole for each taillight and bolting it in place. Taillights should be installed in a fairly flat area of the pan and may require notching the rear sill for clearance around the taillight housing and wiring. Be sure the taillight location does not interfere with the truck frame.

We suggest that you check with your local police department or state police headquarters for information on legal requirements for rear pans and taillights in rear pans.

MAR-K front pans are made to fit 67-72 GM trucks. They do not have signal cutouts because you may have a different custom application than other customers do. Once you have your front pan, you can alter it to fit your needs or install it just as it is for a great custom look!

Yes, if you order a rear pan with a tag box. You will need to cut about a 4" opening in the tag box area for the hitch to fit through. It is best to install the hidden hitch first, then install the rear pan so you can see exactly where you will need to cut the hole. You will also need to use a flip-up license plate for your tag. Be sure to check local vehicle laws and requirements before installing the flip-up license plate. You can purchase a hidden hitch from another supplier; MAR-K does not sell the hidden hitch.

A rear pan takes the place of a bumper. The MAR-K stepside rear pan is unique from others on the market in that ours mounts up on the face of the rear cross sill, instead of beneath it. This makes our pan align with the tailgate instead of the rear sill. Our engineers designed this rear pan to exceed the competition and look the best on the customized stepside trucks. For more information see our Tips & Tricks: Rear Pan Installation.

MAR-K makes complete tailgates for GM Stepsides that are modified to use inner push button mechanism and link assemblies to give your truck a radical new look. The latches and links are inside the tailgate hidden from view. This tailgate is perfect for those who want the traditional style without the chains, which are noisy and sometimes damage the
paint finish. We also have a tailgate option that is flush, but also has a handle and latching mechanism that eliminates the need for tailgate chains on your truck. For more information about these tailgates go to our Online Catalog. If you want to use a stock tailgate, MAR-K also has hidden latches available for 34-87 GM Stepsides and 58-66 GM Fleetside beds along with 53-72 Ford Flaresides and 48-85 Dodge Highside Stepsides. We make the link assemblies for these trucks as well. Look for these items under "Tailgate Parts" in your parts available list for your truck. For another option, MAR-K sells our tailgates with these barrel style latches and link assemblies already installed! MAR-K is the place for many tailgate styles and there is one that is perfect for your truck.

Yes, we have a "flush" tailgate which fits 41-53 or 54-87 GM stepside beds. It is a double wall tailgate that has the appearance of a tailgate with a smooth cover on both sides. It is available smooth or with the GM Bowtie emblem. There is also an option for a flush tailgate with an inside handle.
We also have a Ford Flush tailgate with the handle inside the bed, so the outside has a clean, custom look for 53-72 Ford Flaresides.

MAR-K full covers and weld-ins for the 82-93 S-10 and S-15 have a special side "filler panel" to fill in the gap between the cover or weld-in and the tailgate. Just another reason to Get MAR-K Quality!

Order a tailgate full cover from MAR-K! A full cover is available for 84-93 Dodge pickups and is made to cover the entire outside portion of your tailgate. You will need to relocate your handle to the back side (inside) of the tailgate using our handle relocator kits. Tailgate covers are available for Chevy, Ford and Dodge trucks.

Yes you can!

We accept Visa, Mastercard, Discover, PayPal, check or money order. All payments must be in US funds drawn on US banks. However, we cannot ship COD. All personal checks will be held for 14 days before parts are shipped to be sure the funds will clear.

Shipping charges are based on the actual weight and dimensions of the parts ordered combined with your zip code. Most orders will ship by UPS or FedEx, but orders containing bed sides, longhorn or 1-ton bed wood, or bed strips/angles over 107" are shipped by truck freight. There is also a non-refundable handling charge added to each order.

Before ordering parts it is helpful to know the year, the make and the type of truck that you are working on.

Stepside / Flareside / Narrow Bed - These trucks are full size with large fenders on the outside of the bed, and the 'step' outside the bed as well. GM and Dodge refer to these trucks as 'Stepsides', while Ford calls them 'Flareside' trucks.

Fleetside / Styleside / Wide bed - These full size trucks have straight sides and wheel tubs inside the bed. The GM name for these trucks is 'Fleetside', while Ford calls them a 'Styleside'. Other names are 'Wideside' (GMC), 'Straight-side', etc.

Longhorn - This truck is a 67-72 series GM Fleetside truck that is 6" longer than the standard long bed truck. The bed measures 103" in length.

Cameo - This Chevy 55-58 series truck has the same size inner bed as a Stepside, but it has fiberglass outer bed side panels attached which makes the truck look like a later model Fleetside truck. It is not as common as the regular 55-58 series. The tailgate is different on this truck.

For more information on exactly what years these trucks were available, see our Tips & Tricks: What Kind of Truck Bed do I have?