Wood Bed vs. Steel Bed - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**68Custom** · 12-10-2003, 08:48 PM

Not sure if this poll has been done before so i thought id give it a go. Just curious to see and since its my first try at a poll, what the heck

Aaron

**JIMs70GMC** · 12-10-2003, 08:55 PM

I'd like to have a long step with wood!

walker · 12-10-2003, 08:57 PM

Can't seem to respond to the poll, but long fleetside steel.

MrShelley · 12-10-2003, 08:59 PM

My truck was originally a short step, but now it's a short fleet with wood floor.

meathead95 · 12-10-2003, 09:02 PM

for a show truck that will never ever haul anything short wood for everything else short steel

**old Rusty C10** · 12-10-2003, 09:36 PM

every truck ive owned has been a long steel fleetside. and for a daily driver/work truck thats the best IMHO for a show truck or a custon job i do love the short step with a wood bed theyre sharp looking

dwaite72lnghrn · 12-10-2003, 09:38 PM

Nothing like a wood bed. Stuff just doesn't seem to slide around and you can nail 2x4 stops to keep things from really banging around.

**Canadian694x4** · 12-10-2003, 10:00 PM

Long Steel...but if/when I get around to restoring my truck I'll likely change it to wood...

1971 Cheyenne · 12-10-2003, 10:09 PM

Long Wood all the way!!!!!

(At least thats what i'm converting my steel floor to)

Broken_down? · 12-10-2003, 10:42 PM

wood!!! looks better. and if it goes to crap you cvan replace it for cheaper then a new metal bed for your trucks.

Rich

gr8scott51 · 12-10-2003, 11:46 PM

I threw away the rotten wood and welded the steel bed out of a fleetside in my stepside. Then I sprayed a Rhino liner in it. Looks good and useful.

scott

1969 GMC · 12-11-2003, 01:46 AM

i voted long wood, because its original and is still in there somewhere...under a layer of diamond tread plate and a layer of sheetmetal. stupid p/o...

**kwmech** · 12-11-2003, 03:32 AM

I like wood myself:

D-Money · 12-11-2003, 04:14 AM

For show wood, For use metal.

JayDubBlazer · 12-11-2003, 10:05 AM

Wood just lookes better, and it is replenishable. Steel doesn't grow on trees you know.

sactoC10 · 12-11-2003, 12:32 PM

Always loved the look of wood beds...and the nostalgia of them. The wood bed in my truck is one of the reason I love it. It is versatile, rebuildable...durable and can be made to look very SWEET indeed.

Plus...rain water seeps down through it and does not puddle up in it like in my other steel or abs plastic lined truck beds.

griesel72 · 12-11-2003, 01:32 PM

Like said before, wood for show, but if you are planning on hauling with it much, steel with a good spray in liner.

BLACK AND BLUE 67-72 · 12-11-2003, 01:38 PM

Short Wood for show, Short steel for use.

jorgensensc · 12-11-2003, 05:24 PM

I've got short step wood that needs to be refinished. I've got the stuff to do it, but I use the bed too much, so I can't bring myself around to doing it. I know I will mess it up after i'm finished. I love wood, but sometimes it's a burden

CPNEJR · 12-11-2003, 05:48 PM

I like the short-step wood myself

Thats what I'm putting in my truck and probably wood in all my trucks to come

**slomotion** · 12-11-2003, 07:31 PM

My '33 is strictly show, so it has a varnished oak floor with the Bruce Horkey "boltless" trick bed strips.

The dually will have a varnished floor with the same strips installed, (the fences will be varnished oak with chrome/stainless hardware). Anyhow, I will still need to use the truck as a truck occasionally. What I plan to do is get some of those brass furniture fittings that have a coarse wood thread on the OD, and a 1/4-20 or 5/16 machine thread on the ID. These thingys can be found at any hardware store.

Laying a piece of 3-6 mil plastic on the finished floor, I'll put a sheet of 5/8 exterior plywood on top of the plastic and make sure everything is lined up then drill four holes through both the plywood and the oak floor (at the corners). Removing the plywood and the plastic I'll enlarge the holes in the floor to accommodate the furniture fasteners and put them in the finished floor. Having done all that, all I need to do is scrounge up an old blanket. When I want to use the truck I'll lay the blanket on the floor, lay the plywood down in it's original position, drop the proper size brass or stainless pan head screw with a large flat washer under the head through the holes and snug them down.

The floor stays clean and unscratched, the plywood takes the abuse, and when it wears out I'll just replace it. When the plywood is not on the floor the screws go into the fasteners without the large washer to: 1. keep the threads clean, 2. keep me from losing the screws, and 3. fill up the holes and maintain the finished look.

(Hope this makes sense )

72 Blazerman · 12-11-2003, 07:36 PM

Wood would be nice, if you are not going to use it to haul things in it. I was thinking it would be cool to do a 2 wheel drive blazer with a wood floor.

Doug

Pilgrim · 12-11-2003, 08:21 PM

Had a long steel, a short wood, a plywood (burb), and now a long wood. Wood is easier to maintain, in my opinion.

Baradium · 12-11-2003, 08:26 PM

My panel's deck extension is wood, but it isn't exposed to the outside either... gives me a little of both worlds I guess...

MOTHERTRUCKERS · 12-11-2003, 11:21 PM

Out of the last 10 customers trucks we restored 8 opted for wood.

View Poll Results: What does your truck have or did have?
Short Wood Bed	27	31.03%
Short Steel Bed	20	22.99%
Long Wood Bed	22	25.29%
Long Steel Bed	18	20.69%
Voters: 87. You may not vote on this poll

12-10-2003, 08:48 PM	#1
68Custom Hammer On! Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Olathe, KS Posts: 473	Wood Bed vs. Steel Bed Not sure if this poll has been done before so i thought id give it a go. Just curious to see and since its my first try at a poll, what the heck Aaron __________________ 1968 C20 Inline 6 250 SM465 4 speed 1968 K10 Inline 6 250 SM465 4 speed

12-10-2003, 08:55 PM	#2
JIMs70GMC user # 2756 Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Chesapeake, Virginia Posts: 4,612	I'd like to have a long step with wood! __________________ 1970 K25, 8' stepside bed 350/465/205 44 up front, 60 in the rear 4.10s rolling on 33" Dunlop MTs 1986 K5, 350/465/208 Dana 60/14 bolt from a cucv 36" Super Swampers TSL/SX 1983 K20 w/ CUCV axles, 350/700R4/208 sitting on 37" Goodyears 1986 M1031 6.2 diesel, TH400/NP205 locker in the rear and a LS in the front, all stock for now..... 1986 K30, 350/400/205 dana 60 and 14 bolt. I kept the drivetrain. Body/bad and chassis are gone. 1981 K30, 350/465/205 dana 60 and dually 14 bolt. Has a G80, and a flat bed. Going to replace the flat bed. 1985 K20, 350/400/208 10 bolt and SF 14 bolt. I wonder where I can find some 1 tons. Hmmmmm

12-10-2003, 08:57 PM	#3
walker Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: north of Phx AZ about 30 miles Posts: 698	Can't seem to respond to the poll, but long fleetside steel. __________________ Andy,Phx AZ '67 C-10 (Ahhh, done at last. Well there is that disk front end I want to put in and...) "23 C-Cab-sold '48 Ford 8N tractor(still working) '67 Scout(Now on the road) '70 MG B.-sold

12-10-2003, 09:02 PM	#5
meathead95 computer illiterate Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Des Moines, IA Posts: 6,446	for a show truck that will never ever haul anything short wood for everything else short steel __________________ 72 2wd blazer 72 swb 4x4

12-10-2003, 08:59 PM	#4
MrShelley Too Many Clubs Club Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Kilgore, Texas Posts: 443	My truck was originally a short step, but now it's a short fleet with wood floor.

12-10-2003, 09:36 PM	#6
old Rusty C10 Robert Olson Transport Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: recent transplant to NC USA Posts: 20,303	every truck ive owned has been a long steel fleetside. and for a daily driver/work truck thats the best IMHO for a show truck or a custon job i do love the short step with a wood bed theyre sharp looking __________________ Bob 1951 International running on a squarebody chassis "If a man's worth is judged by the people he associates himself with, then i am the richest man in the world knowing some of the fine people of this board" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...t.php?f=25&a=9 (you can review the site rules here!) PM Me for your vehicle/parts hauling needs in the North East US or see my Facebook page Robert Olson Transport Live each day to the fullest.. you never know when fate is going to pull the rug out from under you... I hate cancer!!

12-10-2003, 09:38 PM	#7
dwaite72lnghrn Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: central pa Posts: 1,525	Nothing like a wood bed. Stuff just doesn't seem to slide around and you can nail 2x4 stops to keep things from really banging around. __________________ 72 longhorn c30 502BB/th400/fact air/4.11rear/ custom camper 72 bug(the better half's) under reconstruction 2009 HHR aqua blue 71 GMC k20 350/sm465 2009 Chevy hd3500 6.6 Victory Red crew cab dually Dave & Jeanne

12-10-2003, 10:00 PM	#8
Canadian694x4 Born To Lose Club Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Calgary, Alberta/Oxenden, Ontario, Great White North Posts: 13,308	Long Steel...but if/when I get around to restoring my truck I'll likely change it to wood... __________________ Brian Smith - "Born To Lose" 1969 Chevrolet K10 LWB Fleetside - Proud Owner For 22 Yrs - 1 of 208 Built & Sold In Canada!- 283 V8/350TH/NP208, 2" All Spring Lift, 32" Good Year MT/R's. 1972 GMC K2500 Custom LWB Fleetside - Proud Owner For 3 Yrs - 1 of 571 Built & Sold In Canada! - 350 V8/SM465/NP205, 4” Rough Country Lift, 33” Interco TSL Thornbirds 2007.5 GMC Sierra SLE 2500HD 4x4 - Proud Owner For 17 Yrs- 6.6L V8 Duramax Diesel/Allison 1000, 2" Lift, 33" Mickey Thompson MTZ's. 2008 Yamaha Raptor 700r - Proud Owner For 15 Yrs - ITP Mud Lites. 2015 John Deere 1025R - Proud Owner For 8 Yrs - 24HP Diesel/H120/54D/260B/SB1154.

12-10-2003, 10:09 PM	#9
1971 Cheyenne Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Bellevue, WA Posts: 1,480	Long Wood all the way!!!!! (At least thats what i'm converting my steel floor to) __________________ Brian Pal 1971 Cheyenne 10 454/th400-Undergoing a full frame off resto. 1972 Chevy short/step 2wd, 350/th350 1983 M1009 CUCV Military K5 Blazer 1981 Dodge 1 ton 4x4 dually flatbed

12-10-2003, 11:46 PM	#11
gr8scott51 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bremerton, WA Posts: 1,839	steel I threw away the rotten wood and welded the steel bed out of a fleetside in my stepside. Then I sprayed a Rhino liner in it. Looks good and useful. scott __________________ Silence is golden, duct tape is silver. - Scott

12-11-2003, 01:46 AM	#12
1969 GMC Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: The Rubber City Posts: 5,498	i voted long wood, because its original and is still in there somewhere...under a layer of diamond tread plate and a layer of sheetmetal. stupid p/o... __________________ 1969 GMC K2500 1996 Honda Accord 2007 Kawasaki KLR 650

12-11-2003, 03:32 AM	#13
kwmech Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Colfax-California Posts: 8,599	I like wood myself: Attached Images

12-11-2003, 04:14 AM	#14
D-Money Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: CA Posts: 315	For show wood, For use metal. __________________ 1969 Chevy SB Truck under construction hopefully will be done early next year! Will be posting pics soon.

12-11-2003, 10:05 AM	#15
JayDubBlazer go cyclones Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Ames, IA Posts: 1,885	Wood just lookes better, and it is replenishable. Steel doesn't grow on trees you know. __________________ Wes PROJECT OLE GREEN 1972 Blazer 4X4 350/700R4 2017 Silverado LT



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12-11-2003, 12:32 PM	#16
sactoC10 71 DELUX Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Northern CA / Sac Posts: 1,056	Always loved the look of wood beds...and the nostalgia of them. The wood bed in my truck is one of the reason I love it. It is versatile, rebuildable...durable and can be made to look very SWEET indeed. Plus...rain water seeps down through it and does not puddle up in it like in my other steel or abs plastic lined truck beds.

12-11-2003, 01:32 PM	#17
griesel72 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Howard, Kansas USA Posts: 1,997	Like said before, wood for show, but if you are planning on hauling with it much, steel with a good spray in liner. __________________ 1969 K10 Custom 10 1997 Z71 2006 Volkswagen Jetta TDI 2006 King Ranch 1980 Wife

12-11-2003, 01:38 PM	#18
BLACK AND BLUE 67-72 Firefighter Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Yellville, Ar, USA Posts: 1,943	Short Wood for show, Short steel for use. __________________ '72 Chevy SWB 350 Auto '67 GMC LWB 350 4 speed '70 Chevy 4x4 Stepside 350 Auto Yellville, Ar. USA

12-11-2003, 05:24 PM	#19
jorgensensc Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Cypress, Tx Posts: 4,005	I've got short step wood that needs to be refinished. I've got the stuff to do it, but I use the bed too much, so I can't bring myself around to doing it. I know I will mess it up after i'm finished. I love wood, but sometimes it's a burden __________________ 1972 C20 Suburban- Big Blue Betty '56 Chevy Bel Air Sedan- Frame up Restoration -What would you attempt to achieve if you knew you could not fail?- -I Refuse To Tiptoe Through Life, Only To Arrive Safely At Death's Door- R.I.P. EAST SIDE LOW LIFE

12-11-2003, 05:48 PM	#20
CPNEJR Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Franconia,N.H. Posts: 1,029	I like the short-step wood myself Thats what I'm putting in my truck and probably wood in all my trucks to come __________________ (Only) Member of the CPNE Fan Club Aint that the truth 67 C-10 350 with 3-speed tranny and 308 gears swb step 82 Z28 Camaro 355 small block over 350 hp and a borg warner super t-10 (blown engine) 72 Chevy K20 Suburban (future project) 70 Chevy K20 now 68 GMC K2500 2003 Chevy 2500hd ccsb 4X4 (daily driver)

12-11-2003, 07:31 PM	#21
slomotion Old Duffer Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Maine Posts: 1,822	My '33 is strictly show, so it has a varnished oak floor with the Bruce Horkey "boltless" trick bed strips. The dually will have a varnished floor with the same strips installed, (the fences will be varnished oak with chrome/stainless hardware). Anyhow, I will still need to use the truck as a truck occasionally. What I plan to do is get some of those brass furniture fittings that have a coarse wood thread on the OD, and a 1/4-20 or 5/16 machine thread on the ID. These thingys can be found at any hardware store. Laying a piece of 3-6 mil plastic on the finished floor, I'll put a sheet of 5/8 exterior plywood on top of the plastic and make sure everything is lined up then drill four holes through both the plywood and the oak floor (at the corners). Removing the plywood and the plastic I'll enlarge the holes in the floor to accommodate the furniture fasteners and put them in the finished floor. Having done all that, all I need to do is scrounge up an old blanket. When I want to use the truck I'll lay the blanket on the floor, lay the plywood down in it's original position, drop the proper size brass or stainless pan head screw with a large flat washer under the head through the holes and snug them down. The floor stays clean and unscratched, the plywood takes the abuse, and when it wears out I'll just replace it. When the plywood is not on the floor the screws go into the fasteners without the large washer to: 1. keep the threads clean, 2. keep me from losing the screws, and 3. fill up the holes and maintain the finished look. (Hope this makes sense ) __________________ '68 Short C20 Flatbed Dually w/ 292 4bbl, Langdon cast headers, and WC T5 trans. '81 G10 Shorty Van "Good judgement comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgement." Will Rogers "Under promise, then over achieve."

12-11-2003, 07:36 PM	#22
72 Blazerman Chevelle Nutt Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Fredericksburg, Va. Posts: 204	Wood would be nice, if you are not going to use it to haul things in it. I was thinking it would be cool to do a 2 wheel drive blazer with a wood floor. Doug __________________ 71 CST Blazer 4X4, 350, on da tree 81 Blazer 2wd 350 350 99 F*** Ranger, I know, I know but it's cheap transportation 83 Mustang GT 5.0 4 speed loaded "got cubic inch?"

12-11-2003, 08:21 PM	#23
Pilgrim Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Crescent City, FL Posts: 492	Had a long steel, a short wood, a plywood (burb), and now a long wood. Wood is easier to maintain, in my opinion. __________________ Bob 68 C20 Camper Special

12-11-2003, 08:26 PM	#24
Baradium Binder Rep Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Salcha, AK Posts: 1,506	My panel's deck extension is wood, but it isn't exposed to the outside either... gives me a little of both worlds I guess...

12-11-2003, 11:21 PM	#25
MOTHERTRUCKERS Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: BRADENTON FLA Posts: 3,269	Out of the last 10 customers trucks we restored 8 opted for wood. __________________ Rest in Peace Ed. Thanks for all the good times.

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