Plywood in the bed
 

I can up with an idea to put plywood in the bed of my truck.I have a 58 short fleetside,due to the fact that I am cutting the tubs and making them 9" wider to clear the 12" wheels I dont think just wood will be strong enough,so using a nice oak plywood.problem I have is when I got the truck there was no wood left.Question I have is how thick of plywood should I use 1/2",5/8" or 3/4"

Re: Plywood in the bed
 

Personally i would go w/the 3/4. You might do a little research on what type of plywood to use (species and pressure treated or not). If i understand correctly newer pressure treated wood uses a sodium solution of some sort won't be very freindly to the metal. (Someone else may have more info on it, but everything i have read regarding trucks beds is to not use pressure treated.)

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/t...active.463308/
http://www.stovebolt.com/ubbthreads/...&Number=364835

Re: Plywood in the bed
 

I used a piece of "Marine plywood" in my truck coating it with Varithane and it still failed miserably when left outside. So unless you want your bed to have a sheet of potato chips for a floor think about this long and hard. Study up on the wood, there has to be something that holds up, mine sure didn't.

Brian

Re: Plywood in the bed
 

I did mine in 3/4 oak veneer. Coated mine with oil based urethane on top and sides and the bottom with bed liner. it's good for 2 years and counting and has been rained on but is kept in a garage. It's a toy and it will never work, other than a beer chest and lawn chairs. You should consider the plywood is not the correct width even for my step side and will have to be spliced. I used a doweling fixture, 3/8 dowels, gorilla glue and clamps. You also need to know the wood will not go in in one piece due to the construction of the bed sides. I cut mine into 3 pieces and covered the cuts with polished strips, making sure the sides of the cuts were thoroughly covered with urethane. Even with the caveats, I think it's a great idea.

Re: Plywood in the bed
 

I used 3/4 plywood in mine and then used 16 guage steel on top with the stainless strips. you can check out my build thread in my signature if you wanted to see how mine turned out.

Re: Plywood in the bed
 

A regular sheet of plywood isn't quite wide enough to reach under the strips on the side of the bed so it can be held down good.

I don't see a strength issue with regular bed board cut to fit unless you are planning on hauling loads of river rock or engine blocks. You might need a couple of extra braces at the front and rear of the tubs but other than that I don't see the issue.

Re: Plywood in the bed
 

PT Wood uses a copper solution which is very corrosive to mild steel. Stay away...

Re: Plywood in the bed
 

My plan was to use oak plywood with stainless strips.on the bottom I would rhino coat then some type of sealer on top

Re: Plywood in the bed
 

Good plan, IMO.

Re: Plywood in the bed
 

I overlaid the original wood bed in my 55 2nd with a sheet of 5/8" plysawn exterior plywood. The ply is held down with deck screws, and finished with Minwax stain and seal. I keep the truck covered at night but it is out in the Calif sun most days. Still looks good after 2 years, could use another coat of sealer..... Plysawn comes about 48 1/2" wide, so there is a small gap at the sides which could be covered with a angle strip.

Re: Plywood in the bed
 

I used an outdoor rated (roofing) OSB board treated with a propriatory wood preserver as I didn't want to damage the pine bed I made by moving workshop items etc. one year on it's showing wear by the tailgate and likes water as sponge, otherwise ok, why not try a faced plywood such as those used by shuttering contractors.you need 3/4 inch plus the metal rails below if you are going to carry any real weight.

Re: Plywood in the bed
 

ictures have helped a lot thanks.I have cut the wheel tubs and made them 9" wider.I was wondering how to instal them,but have pictures now