Anyone built a synthetic wood floor? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

oldcarbuff · 09-18-2002, 03:20 PM

I need to rebuild the wood floor in my 67 long stepside. My father-in-law can get me red oak (he is a master woodworker), but I am thinking about something a little different.

The local hardware/lumber yard has decking material that is a plasic/wood like stuff they advertise as being no maintenance. It would be a little thick (1.25 inches), but seems like it would work great for my bed. No worries about scratching the polyurethane or spar varnish, no concerns about how to seal the ends of the boards, etc.

I am thinking seriously about some white ones, as my truck is bright red with white painted trim.

Has anyone else looked into this?

OCB

**COBALT** · 09-18-2002, 04:34 PM

I think it's a great idea if you're going with durability vs. asthetics. Only difficult thing with that material is cutting and shaping it.

71402BB · 09-18-2002, 06:40 PM

Thats a neat idea! I have seen the stuff on a real deck and was very surprised to see how REAL it did look! Not sure how it would look in a truck bed.......... Cobalt poses a very good qestion as to how you would cut and shape it!

sakohntr · 09-18-2002, 10:51 PM

A friend of mine builds deck for a living and he likes the material, although it is very hard on blades as it is made from ground up hardwood pallets; nails and all!

slam33 · 09-18-2002, 11:02 PM

You must be looking at TREX. It's good stuff, not cheap, lasts forever. In a truck bed, well I dono, guess if you like the looks of that sorta thing.

oldcarbuff · 09-19-2002, 11:52 AM

Yes, I think it was called trex. I figure with carbide tipped saw and router blades it could be shaped. And, no, it wouldn't be as pretty as real wood, but I wouldn't cringe when I dropped a load of mulch on it or hauled greasy car parts around. I figure if I got bed liner sprayed on the side panels and a tough floor, I can haul stuff and still clean up to show off a little.

ocb

RodC · 09-19-2002, 01:07 PM

You may have to look for that material in 1X8 sizes. this would give you the right thickness and would be wide enough. (3/4" x 7 1/4") The decking material would also bee too narrow probably 5 1/4"

jmil1974 · 09-19-2002, 01:49 PM

I just talked to a Trex dealer and he said that the 1xs would require braces every 12" due to the amount of bend. He also seriously doubted the ability of the trex to hold up with the tongue and groove cuts for the rails. He told me this even though he sells the stuff so take it for what it's worth. Good luck!

jmanz69 · 09-20-2002, 10:00 PM

My concern would be the exhaust causing it to warp (melt?). The pipe comes up over the axle under the bed, and not too far from the bottom. Would this maybe cause a problem? Just something to think about....

09-18-2002, 03:20 PM	#1
oldcarbuff Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Muncie, IN U.S.A. Posts: 60	Anyone built a synthetic wood floor? I need to rebuild the wood floor in my 67 long stepside. My father-in-law can get me red oak (he is a master woodworker), but I am thinking about something a little different. The local hardware/lumber yard has decking material that is a plasic/wood like stuff they advertise as being no maintenance. It would be a little thick (1.25 inches), but seems like it would work great for my bed. No worries about scratching the polyurethane or spar varnish, no concerns about how to seal the ends of the boards, etc. I am thinking seriously about some white ones, as my truck is bright red with white painted trim. Has anyone else looked into this? OCB

09-18-2002, 04:34 PM	#2
COBALT Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Seattle, WA, USA Posts: 5,817	I think it's a great idea if you're going with durability vs. asthetics. Only difficult thing with that material is cutting and shaping it. __________________ '69 3/4 ton C20 2wd-350ci/TH400 '69 3/4 ton Custom 20 2wd-350ci/4sp Manual '99 2wd 5.7 Chevy Tahoe Seattle, WA.

09-18-2002, 06:40 PM	#3
71402BB now thats a true COON DOG Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Franconia, NH Posts: 1,977	Thats a neat idea! I have seen the stuff on a real deck and was very surprised to see how REAL it did look! Not sure how it would look in a truck bed.......... Cobalt poses a very good qestion as to how you would cut and shape it! __________________ current project 67 402BB stout th350 3.08's with a locker. Plan on tubs 18.5's out back! (thanks Burnsman!) 71 SWB Stepside, was a 250, now is a 402 Big Block with 4 speed and 3.73's ( was crushed by a tree, bed sold, motor pulled) was my first truck!... oh well... 72 LWB 4x4 350 4-speed 3.08's posi wearing army olive drab green (SOLD!) 68 BURB 50TH LOOKALIKE work in progress, soon to have 250-I6 with a 3-speed on the tree 4.11's and posi ( currently sitting in back yard tarped awaiting time, $$$, and lots of love!) 67 1 TON- work truck 396 sm 420 4-speed, flat bed 4.57 gears "big red" (my first landscape truck, very rusty and crusty! but still gets the job done when needed!)

09-18-2002, 10:51 PM	#4
sakohntr Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Floodwood Minnesota Posts: 1,057	deck wood A friend of mine builds deck for a living and he likes the material, although it is very hard on blades as it is made from ground up hardwood pallets; nails and all! __________________ 1967 K30 Napco 292/SM420 original paint 30k miles 1968 K60 Napco 396/5spd. dbl frame 52" michelins 1969 K10 SWB GMC 454/4spd 6" 35's posi,hooks 1972 C30 longhorn,BB/AT,A/C,Tilt,Toolbox,lokr 1987 K20 Chevrolet Suburban. 6" lift. 5.7L/TH400 1979 K60 GMC Coleman 4x4, 427/Allison.

09-18-2002, 11:02 PM	#5
slam33 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Long Beach, Ca Posts: 1,432	You must be looking at TREX. It's good stuff, not cheap, lasts forever. In a truck bed, well I dono, guess if you like the looks of that sorta thing. __________________ 71 LWB 350/350still working on it but it's going tp be sweet. www.geocities.com/stevemau/slam33page.html " TARGET=_blank>http://www.geocities.com/stevemau/slam33page.html?1004806705410 </A>

09-19-2002, 11:52 AM	#6
oldcarbuff Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Muncie, IN U.S.A. Posts: 60	Yes, I think it was called trex. I figure with carbide tipped saw and router blades it could be shaped. And, no, it wouldn't be as pretty as real wood, but I wouldn't cringe when I dropped a load of mulch on it or hauled greasy car parts around. I figure if I got bed liner sprayed on the side panels and a tough floor, I can haul stuff and still clean up to show off a little. ocb

09-19-2002, 01:07 PM	#7
RodC Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Fairmont WV Posts: 304	You may have to look for that material in 1X8 sizes. this would give you the right thickness and would be wide enough. (3/4" x 7 1/4") The decking material would also bee too narrow probably 5 1/4" __________________ Rod Childers '71 C10 Stepside

09-19-2002, 01:49 PM	#8
jmil1974 Ain't we cute? Join Date: May 2002 Location: Friendswood, TX Posts: 700	I just talked to a Trex dealer and he said that the 1xs would require braces every 12" due to the amount of bend. He also seriously doubted the ability of the trex to hold up with the tongue and groove cuts for the rails. He told me this even though he sells the stuff so take it for what it's worth. Good luck! __________________ 69 C10 2WD LWB Fleet 350/350 power front disc conversion (6 lug disc kit from gmcpauls) and new engine, PS, A/C, fresh fluids, SHE DRIVES! FOR SALE $3900

09-20-2002, 10:00 PM	#9
jmanz69 Careful, they attack... Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Waterford, MI, USA Posts: 1,107	My concern would be the exhaust causing it to warp (melt?). The pipe comes up over the axle under the bed, and not too far from the bottom. Would this maybe cause a problem? Just something to think about....



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