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Howdy. Yup, I searched the forum before asking!

Have a look at this photo:
There is currently a lot of weight on the front of the bed of my 1970 D400 stake and it has crushed the rotted wood spacer between the bed and the frame. Have a look at the bracket that holds the bed to the frame. You can see all the space between the bottom of the bracket and the bottom of the frame. That's how much of the wood has been crushed.

I understand from reading on the forum that the wood spacer was installed at the factory. With what should I replace it? Does it have a square profile or rectangular? Slotted on the bottom for the bolt heads or flat on all sides?

Are there specs in a manual somewhere?

Thanks for the help!

Jim

Replace with oak. Beds are typically provided aftermarket. You can contact a local truck bed company for more info.
When u need rear brakes, I have a like new set of drums and shoes and cylinders all mounted on the backing plates for sale.

Like PWD said oak. And I think white oak is more rot resistant than red.
jim

Thanks, PWD. I'll let you know if and when I get to the point of replacing the rear brakes.

Thanks, Jim.

I used pressure treated wood when I mounted deck on my 70 D500. Seen fir used in my area as well.

Softwoods do not have as much compressive strength as hardwood. As they flatten out due to age, decay or compression the u-bolt attachment to the frame will loosen. There should be some sort of lateral retainment to keep the whole thing from sliding sideways off the frame if the bolts loosen.

I agree. I will use oak. Those U-bolts won't keep a loose bed from sliding sideways off the frame!

U dont have to use wood. Ive seen nylon strapping material like in the big tie down straps and rubber strips like from conveyor belts. A piece of flat stock welded to the side of either the frame or bed and extending beyond the junction between them will prevent sideways movement.

I'll stick with wood rather than plastic, nylon, rubber and welding! :-)