Bed Floors? Wood or Metal ? What do you prefer?

[sierragrande71]

I posted pics earlier of my $40.00 dollar bed and as you may have noticed it has a wooden floor. My question is, would it be cheaper to go with the wood again or replace it with a metal one? Is there any pros or cons about either or? I have longbed floor that is very straight with no rust or dents that I thinking of trimming down. But also like the looks of a wooden bed when done right. What's your guys and gals opinions?

[sierragrande71]

Any feedback anybody?

[shelby987]

My opinion depends on the intended use of the truck.....if it is going to be an actual work truck, see use, abuse, live outside, etc....I say steel. If it is going to be a show truck and the bed is just along for the ride, maybe with the occasional sleeping bag or groceries in the back, go with wood.....wood will take the abuse sure, but it will also show use quickly no matter what you do (unless you put a plexiglass cover over it I suppose).

[Riveted1]

I'm replacing my wood bed w/a steel floor. I think wood is better looking, but I don't want to worry about scratching, denting, marring, etc. Cover that steel bed w/Rhino liner or something and call it a day.

[greasy68]

steel if you are gonna use it and wood if you are not. Wood floors look awesome when done right but steel looks good for longer.

[lilred67]

i replaced my wood floor with steel. it's not a show truck, i wanted to keep it simple and not have to worry about upkeep on the wood. i think it cost me approx. $125.00 versus a wood kit $$$$$$$$

[sierragrande71]

Thanks everybody for giving me some insight. Greatly appreciated BEST FORUM ON THE 'NET RIGHT HERE!

[MrGoodpliers]

I like 'em both, but these days it's pretty rare to see a bullet straight metal bed floor.....

[Shyguy]

The floor in my '67 long step side bed is metal diamond plate, I like it better since my truck is a daily driver work truck.

If I had a show truck I would like wood.

Danny - Southeast Missouri

[msgross]

mine came with wood and it will get wood again... if you plan to use the truck for hardcore hauling then you might want metal.... otherwise it won't cost you as much to do wood.... pending how nice you wanna go

[pdr510]

I just swapped from a step side to a fleet side bed to get away from wood floors. If you go with wood get ready to do some maintenance. Wood definately looks better, but for how long? I prefer metal for less maintenance.

[72BlckButy]

For use and abuse, steel all the way. For show and go, definitely wood.

Check out Mar-K if you decide to go with a replacement wood bed. They have a lot of great products.

[kxnomore]

I've always like the wood better. You can always throw a piece of plywood in it to keep the sun or impact damage to a minimum. The oak holds up pretty well, too. much better than pine. I agree steel is stronger overall, but the wood lookes soooo good...

Here's a pic of my wood bed before I sold the truck. This is with a year of sun exposure and daily driver type use. (Dirt bikes, dump runs, etc.- Remember I always used a piece of plywood before going to the dumps or riding...)

[slammed1]

Doing a correct long lasting great looking wood bed floor makes for a very nice bed floor but is expensive. My 72 SWB is an original wooden bed floor and like almost all others was in poor shape. I didnt want to spend a fortune on re-doing the wooden bed so I found a great shape steel floor from a 1985 long bed and cut it down to fit in mine and installed it withh small easily removeable tack welds so that if I ever decide later to re-do the wood it can easily be removed. I also like wooden floors on restored trucks or on really nice show trucks but its my opinion a street rodded truck or street machine style build deserves a steel bed floor.

[wibilly]

i perfer wood for any usage, cargo dont slide around or bounce as much, making it quieter and if your junkyard scores leak a little oil on your old boards it will soak it up and protect the wood you could always use a rubber mat to protect either if you really cared