|
|
|
10-24-2004, 11:37 AM
|
#1 |
|
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Los Alamos, CA
Posts: 19
|
Wood bed replacement
This wood bed hit every ugly branch when it fell from the tree. Any suggestions here? I will be using it as a work truck to haul tools and wood. Has any body tried to use the plastic/nylon synthetic wood? How about the hold down strips (is that what they are called)? Can they be replaced or should I try and save them? I was planning on replacing the wood bed then getting a mat to cover the bed. What's it take to make it a metal bed?
Opinions?
__________________
72 Chevy 3/4 99 Suburban 4X4 91 S10 Tahoe 88 IROC 71rsZ28 28 Model A Tudor |
|
|
|
10-24-2004, 11:51 AM
|
#2 |
|
Collector of Projects
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Las Vegas
Posts: 3,106
|
The metal stips are available and not too expensive. Since the wood is 3/4" thick, it would be difficult to change it to a metal bed. I know there was some discussion on using other materials like synthetic wood and aluminum. I have a step side with less wood then yours, but the PO put in one full piece of 1/2" plate steel to cover the old rotted wood! ...
|
|
|
|
|
10-24-2004, 12:12 PM
|
#3 |
|
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Los Alamos, CA
Posts: 19
|
Thanks for the input.
1/2 plate??? Wow that's got to weigh a lot! This wood is really rotten and it's hard to tell if the wood is groved, notched or is it just straight material with straight cuts and no extyra work?
__________________
72 Chevy 3/4 99 Suburban 4X4 91 S10 Tahoe 88 IROC 71rsZ28 28 Model A Tudor |
|
|
|
|
10-24-2004, 12:16 PM
|
#4 |
|
Registered User
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Canton North Carolina
Posts: 466
|
It has a groove for the strips to fit into and lock it into place. The synthetic wood seems like the way to go if you were going to use the truck- if it comes in 3/4 thicknesses.
|
|
|
|
|
10-24-2004, 02:54 PM
|
#6 |
|
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: WHITEVILLE N.C.
Posts: 494
|
One option that we have done on the farm is weld in steel checker plate.
Works good on a work truck. Dad did a 66 like this. 
__________________
72 CHEYENNE 10 SUPER 468/400/3.73 |
|
|
|
|
10-24-2004, 04:06 PM
|
#7 |
|
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: central pa
Posts: 1,525
|
You could use pressure treated 2x6 and 2x8 you will need to cutoff all the old bolts from the strips. Use new 2-2 1/2" carriage bolts in the old strips. Plastic/synthetic wood needs closer spacing than the bed has, you will have some soft spots if you use that. I replaced mine in a weekend with PT, The bed will sit 3/4" higher than normal but for a work truck it don't matter. You will have to route 3/4" off the bottom side where it mates to the front of bed. You could also run a rabbit down the top sides for the metal strips if you want but it is not needed. you will need to reuse the large bed bolts or get new 3/8" bolts to anchor it to the frame.
This bed has been in for 20 years and just had a paint job on it.
__________________
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 Last edited by dwaite72lnghrn; 10-24-2004 at 04:11 PM. Reason: add picture |
|
|
|
|
10-25-2004, 09:44 PM
|
#8 |
|
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Los Alamos, CA
Posts: 19
|
Thanks for the info dwaite72lnghrn. 3/4" higher sounds Ok. It will give me a goo reas on to get some bigger rims and tires to fit the wheel well.
__________________
72 Chevy 3/4 99 Suburban 4X4 91 S10 Tahoe 88 IROC 71rsZ28 28 Model A Tudor |
|
|
|
|
10-25-2004, 11:20 PM
|
#9 |
|
Before and After
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Leduc, Alberta CANADA
Posts: 632
|
How about using a couple of sheets of 3/4" plywood and having one seam down the center? I was going to do that before I restored mine. I think it would work great for a truck that will be used as a truck.
__________________
Not Grandpa's C-20 anymore... 383 Stroker 425HP, 485Ft/Lbs Lowered 3.5" Front / 5" Rear 66,000 miles. Alberta, CANADA |
|
|
|
|
10-25-2004, 11:38 PM
|
#10 |
|
Got Light Emitting Diode?
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Newberg, OR
Posts: 2,485
|
if you want t metal bed i will trade ya
__________________
1968 1/2 ton 2wd lwb 6 lug disc and bags up front. Next c notch and rear bags '02 Chevy Silverado LT ext cab short bed 2WD 5/7 drop on 22's  (the family car)1993 Cherokee work ride/weekend wheeler |
|
|
|
|
10-26-2004, 01:21 AM
|
#11 |
|
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Santa Clara, CA
Posts: 39
|
GMC Paul's has a link to wood bed info if you are replacing it yourself: http://www.gmcpauls.com/47-72%20BedWood%20Info.htm
__________________
Camelot www.toyotagirl.com 1985 Chevy 4Runner 1972 GMC 4WD |
|
|
|
 |
| Bookmarks |
|
|
.. its 1/4" ... 
I dont know what I was thinking.. 
Hybrid Mode
