Found a 73 with a wood floor and need some information - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**1774btcrew** · 10-21-2013, 11:48 PM

I am out of down on a junkyard parts scavenging trip and came across a 73 fleetside with the optional wood floor. Since it is not feasible for me to bring the whole bed home I would like to know the parts of the floor that are specific to it. I originally thought the cross braces were unique but now I am not sure. I am kind of looking at disassembling it and binging the floor home in pieces and would like to bring back as little as possible but want to be sure to get all of the necessary parts. I would appreciate any info anyone can help me with. I am always watching for these and the last one I found was over a year ago. All steel pieces are in excellent shape with only surface rust.

f.monroe · 10-21-2013, 11:56 PM

If it is for sale I am interested. The bedsides and wheel tubs are the same so you can leave them. The entire floor,cross braces, rear sill, and all of the trim pieces that bolt to the bedsides are unique. I am not sure about the front panel. You might want to grab it if it looks different. If the wood is bad leave it, if not get it since it will be original dated wood.
I want a wood floor but they were not ordered in our area much at all. Mostly in areas where rust seemed to be an issue.
Frank

**1774btcrew** · 10-22-2013, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by f.monroe

If it is for sale I am interested. The bedsides and wheel tubs are the same so you can leave them. The entire floor,cross braces, rear sill, and all of the trim pieces that bolt to the bedsides are unique. I am not sure about the front panel. You might want to grab it if it looks different. If the wood is bad leave it, if not get it since it will be original dated wood.
I want a wood floor but they were not ordered in our area much at all. Mostly in areas where rust seemed to be an issue.
Frank

Thank you for the information. It sounds like it would be 2-3 hours pulling the parts at the wrecking yard with my impact. I can't imagine how involved it would be to ship something like this. Even in pieces. I do know it would be expensive. For the most part I think the would is in pretty good condition. It is has had a plastic bedliner in it for quite a while and the climate is just dry and hot for the most part.

f.monroe · 10-22-2013, 12:48 AM

I can always buy replacement wood. I'd give $400 for the wood floor specific pieces delivered to a business addy. If you can make that work I'm in.
Frank

RandyP · 10-22-2013, 08:09 AM

Someone else might give $410 plus shipping.

f.monroe · 10-24-2013, 12:54 AM

Did you get the wood floor pieces? Looks like RandyP is looking for one.

ray_mcavoy · 10-24-2013, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by f.monroe

The bedsides and wheel tubs are the same so you can leave them. The entire floor,cross braces, rear sill, and all of the trim pieces that bolt to the bedsides are unique. I am not sure about the front panel. You might want to grab it if it looks different.

I agree and would just like to add that the 73-80 fleetside wood floors did use the same front bed panel as a steel floor. They just have an added flange/trim piece bolted onto the bottom using the same holes as would be used for a steel floor. The 67-72 trucks on the other hand did have different front panels for wood vs. steel floors because the lower flange was part of the bed panel.

**1774btcrew** · 10-24-2013, 01:02 AM

I am picking it up tomorrow. There were over 100 bolts and most had to be done by hand. I am probably just going to hang onto this. It honestly wouldn't be worth me selling for $400. My price to purchase this is $150, and 5 hours of my time to pull it and then if I had to disassemble it and ship it really wouldn't be worthwhile. It is a rare piece and who knows maybe I will come up with a deserving longbed.

RandyP · 10-24-2013, 08:55 AM

I don't think they are that rare to be honest. Had a truck last fall with one that I parted out and I passed on buying one this summer that the rest of the truck was just to far gone for what his bottom dollar price was. The one I had was a 76 model I think, the other was a 78 or 79.

**1774btcrew** · 10-24-2013, 09:39 AM

They must just be hard to find in AZ,CA and CO . Those are the areas I frequent most. I find and sell a lot of rare items and this is the first wood bed floor I have came up with. Heck, I have even found 2 flip down dome lights and a manual throttle control. Must just be rare to me since I find a lot of other rare stuff and have been watching for one if these. I am sure maybe areas where there is more rust there are more of them. Maybe I should say it is rare in this condition.

RandyP · 10-24-2013, 10:13 AM

I can only imagine how many were replaced with a steel floor or covered up with plate iron or something. You'd think those areas you frequent would have more since the cattle industry is of decent size round you.

The one I had here in my hands was covered over with a piece of 1/4" plate. One of the owners down the line had made himself a bed liner. Out of 1/4" plate. Poor truck.

*nekkidhillbilly* · 10-24-2013, 02:48 PM

i never seen an original in person just online. i wouldnt want one myself but i want a truck i can use. there pretty when done though thats for sure.

83GMCK2500 · 10-24-2013, 03:07 PM

I have not seen ANY long-fleet wooden bed floors in WA. Would like to find one though...

4x4toy · 10-24-2013, 06:18 PM

Can you take pictures before you disassemble? I have heard of these wooden floor squares, never seen one.

83GMCK2500 · 10-24-2013, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4x4toy

Can you take pictures before you disassemble? I have heard of these wooden floor squares, never seen one.

Check the Renovation project from Kuwait thread, that truck has one.

**MusicMan70** · 10-24-2013, 07:54 PM

Quote:

83GMCK2500 Re: Found a 73 with a wood floor and need some information

I have not seen ANY long-fleet wooden bed floors in WA. Would like to find one though...

I got this one from Washington last year.

**1774btcrew** · 10-24-2013, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MusicMan70

I got this one from Washington last year.

That one looks to be in comparable condition to the one I found. I may build me a long bed. I sure like the looks of these wood floors!

walkerb · 10-24-2013, 08:16 PM

Ive personally seen a long box dually crew with a wood floor. It was a cool truck

*nekkidhillbilly* · 10-27-2013, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by walkerb

Ive personally seen a long box dually crew with a wood floor. It was a cool truck

i saw a red one for sale like that online

f.monroe · 03-06-2014, 11:32 PM

I wish you would have gotten this bed floor especially with all the work you put into it. If you don't mind can you tell me where it was? Maybe a board member can go get the pieces you removed and make a little money selling it to me. I am still looking for the wood floor for a fleet side .
Thanks,
Frank

**1774btcrew** · 03-06-2014, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by f.monroe

I wish you would have gotten this bed floor especially with all the work you put into it. If you don't mind can you tell me where it was? Maybe a board member can go get the pieces you removed and make a little money selling it to me. I am still looking for the wood floor for a fleet side .
Thanks,
Frank

Frank, The floor is long gone. I checked last time I was there. You will be hard pressed to find one cheap. It is a ton of work and they are relatively hard to come by. There are very few here in my area. I have only found 3 and I find a lot of really rare stuff! It was discussed earlier but I am sure there are more in areas prone to rust.

f.monroe · 10-26-2013, 08:53 PM

Keep me in mind and let me know when you decide to sell the bed pieces.
Thanks,
Frank

Billy81 · 03-07-2014, 01:32 AM

There was a guy in my area trying to sell one of these wood beds for years, it was in good shape but the wood had seen better days. He couldn't give it away so he ended up selling just the tailgate and the rest went to the scrap yard.

manimal · 03-07-2014, 10:09 AM

I personally have owned "4" long fleets with wood floors..."2" of them had the tool box in the side.

Oldriginal86 · 03-07-2014, 11:42 PM

Was the wood floor only available in the long bed fleet? I know they were in short steps.

10-21-2013, 11:48 PM	#1
1774btcrew Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Phoenix AZ Posts: 4,564	Found a 73 with a wood floor and need some information I am out of down on a junkyard parts scavenging trip and came across a 73 fleetside with the optional wood floor. Since it is not feasible for me to bring the whole bed home I would like to know the parts of the floor that are specific to it. I originally thought the cross braces were unique but now I am not sure. I am kind of looking at disassembling it and binging the floor home in pieces and would like to bring back as little as possible but want to be sure to get all of the necessary parts. I would appreciate any info anyone can help me with. I am always watching for these and the last one I found was over a year ago. All steel pieces are in excellent shape with only surface rust. __________________ AZPartsLocators on Instagram 1972 Cheyenne Super Short Bed big block "Blackie" 1977 Crew Cab GMC Short bed with 4BT Intercooled Cummins Diesel and a 4L80e "The Junkyard Dog" 1985 Crew Cab Chevy dually with 5.9 Cummins "The Big Dog" This is what my dad liked to be called by the grandkids before he passed so it seems fitting for his old truck.

10-21-2013, 11:56 PM	#2
f.monroe Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Caldwell,Tx. Posts: 3,648	Re: Found a 73 with a wood floor and need some information If it is for sale I am interested. The bedsides and wheel tubs are the same so you can leave them. The entire floor,cross braces, rear sill, and all of the trim pieces that bolt to the bedsides are unique. I am not sure about the front panel. You might want to grab it if it looks different. If the wood is bad leave it, if not get it since it will be original dated wood. I want a wood floor but they were not ordered in our area much at all. Mostly in areas where rust seemed to be an issue. Frank __________________ Born and proudly residing in a Red State !

10-22-2013, 12:48 AM	#4
f.monroe Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Caldwell,Tx. Posts: 3,648	Re: Found a 73 with a wood floor and need some information I can always buy replacement wood. I'd give $400 for the wood floor specific pieces delivered to a business addy. If you can make that work I'm in. Frank __________________ Born and proudly residing in a Red State !

10-22-2013, 08:09 AM	#5
RandyP Getting Old; Going Broke Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Owasso OK Posts: 2,764	Re: Found a 73 with a wood floor and need some information Someone else might give $410 plus shipping. __________________ *Why is every used 350 sbc out of a corvette?* There's only two things that excite a man, expensive toys and real expensive toys. *VEGETARIAN: That's an old Indian word meaning "I don't hunt so good."* When the going gets tough, switch to power tools.

10-24-2013, 12:54 AM	#6
f.monroe Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Caldwell,Tx. Posts: 3,648	Re: Found a 73 with a wood floor and need some information Did you get the wood floor pieces? Looks like RandyP is looking for one. __________________ Born and proudly residing in a Red State !

10-24-2013, 01:02 AM	#8
1774btcrew Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Phoenix AZ Posts: 4,564	Re: Found a 73 with a wood floor and need some information I am picking it up tomorrow. There were over 100 bolts and most had to be done by hand. I am probably just going to hang onto this. It honestly wouldn't be worth me selling for $400. My price to purchase this is $150, and 5 hours of my time to pull it and then if I had to disassemble it and ship it really wouldn't be worthwhile. It is a rare piece and who knows maybe I will come up with a deserving longbed. __________________ AZPartsLocators on Instagram 1972 Cheyenne Super Short Bed big block "Blackie" 1977 Crew Cab GMC Short bed with 4BT Intercooled Cummins Diesel and a 4L80e "The Junkyard Dog" 1985 Crew Cab Chevy dually with 5.9 Cummins "The Big Dog" This is what my dad liked to be called by the grandkids before he passed so it seems fitting for his old truck.

10-24-2013, 08:55 AM	#9
RandyP Getting Old; Going Broke Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Owasso OK Posts: 2,764	Re: Found a 73 with a wood floor and need some information I don't think they are that rare to be honest. Had a truck last fall with one that I parted out and I passed on buying one this summer that the rest of the truck was just to far gone for what his bottom dollar price was. The one I had was a 76 model I think, the other was a 78 or 79. __________________ *Why is every used 350 sbc out of a corvette?* There's only two things that excite a man, expensive toys and real expensive toys. *VEGETARIAN: That's an old Indian word meaning "I don't hunt so good."* When the going gets tough, switch to power tools.

10-24-2013, 09:39 AM	#10
1774btcrew Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Phoenix AZ Posts: 4,564	Re: Found a 73 with a wood floor and need some information They must just be hard to find in AZ,CA and CO . Those are the areas I frequent most. I find and sell a lot of rare items and this is the first wood bed floor I have came up with. Heck, I have even found 2 flip down dome lights and a manual throttle control. Must just be rare to me since I find a lot of other rare stuff and have been watching for one if these. I am sure maybe areas where there is more rust there are more of them. Maybe I should say it is rare in this condition. __________________ AZPartsLocators on Instagram 1972 Cheyenne Super Short Bed big block "Blackie" 1977 Crew Cab GMC Short bed with 4BT Intercooled Cummins Diesel and a 4L80e "The Junkyard Dog" 1985 Crew Cab Chevy dually with 5.9 Cummins "The Big Dog" This is what my dad liked to be called by the grandkids before he passed so it seems fitting for his old truck.

10-24-2013, 10:13 AM	#11
RandyP Getting Old; Going Broke Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Owasso OK Posts: 2,764	Re: Found a 73 with a wood floor and need some information I can only imagine how many were replaced with a steel floor or covered up with plate iron or something. You'd think those areas you frequent would have more since the cattle industry is of decent size round you. The one I had here in my hands was covered over with a piece of 1/4" plate. One of the owners down the line had made himself a bed liner. Out of 1/4" plate. Poor truck. __________________ *Why is every used 350 sbc out of a corvette?* There's only two things that excite a man, expensive toys and real expensive toys. *VEGETARIAN: That's an old Indian word meaning "I don't hunt so good."* When the going gets tough, switch to power tools.

10-24-2013, 02:48 PM	#12
nekkidhillbilly Account Suspended Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: hazard, ky Posts: 1,674	Re: Found a 73 with a wood floor and need some information i never seen an original in person just online. i wouldnt want one myself but i want a truck i can use. there pretty when done though thats for sure.

10-24-2013, 03:07 PM	#13
83GMCK2500 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Beaverton, OR from WA State Posts: 1,515	Re: Found a 73 with a wood floor and need some information I have not seen ANY long-fleet wooden bed floors in WA. Would like to find one though... __________________ Devin 1983 GMC High Sierra 2500, 4x4, RC/LB, 400 S.B., SM-465, NP-208, Corporate 10 bolt & 9.5" 14 bolt 1996 GMC Sierra SLE 3500 DRW, 4x4, EC/LB, Vortec 454, NV-4500, BW-4401, AAM 925 & AAM 1050 1997 GMC Sierra SLT 1500 4x4, Z71/F44, EC/SB, Vortec 350 My Introduction with my '83s History New Daily, the '96

10-24-2013, 06:18 PM	#14
4x4toy Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Southern Md Posts: 228	Re: Found a 73 with a wood floor and need some information Can you take pictures before you disassemble? I have heard of these wooden floor squares, never seen one. __________________ 04 Yukon XL 2500 w/ Quadrasteer 61 Chevy C60, 261 inline six 86 Chevy C20 2wd, Banks 6.2 05 GMC Sierra 2500hd Duramax

10-24-2013, 08:16 PM	#18
walkerb Registered User Join Date: May 2010 Location: Rochester NY Posts: 831	Re: Found a 73 with a wood floor and need some information Ive personally seen a long box dually crew with a wood floor. It was a cool truck __________________ 1973 k20 Suburban 350 1974 Custom stepside c-10 250 1975 Chevy stepside 454 1986 K30 Crewcab SRW 350 R.I.P- glimmertwin01- board member and good friend, you will be missed

03-06-2014, 11:32 PM	#20
f.monroe Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Caldwell,Tx. Posts: 3,648	Re: Found a 73 with a wood floor and need some information I wish you would have gotten this bed floor especially with all the work you put into it. If you don't mind can you tell me where it was? Maybe a board member can go get the pieces you removed and make a little money selling it to me. I am still looking for the wood floor for a fleet side . Thanks, Frank __________________ Born and proudly residing in a Red State !

10-26-2013, 08:53 PM	#22
f.monroe Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Caldwell,Tx. Posts: 3,648	Re: Found a 73 with a wood floor and need some information Keep me in mind and let me know when you decide to sell the bed pieces. Thanks, Frank __________________ Born and proudly residing in a Red State !



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03-07-2014, 01:32 AM	#23
Billy81 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Medford,Oregon Posts: 390	Re: Found a 73 with a wood floor and need some information There was a guy in my area trying to sell one of these wood beds for years, it was in good shape but the wood had seen better days. He couldn't give it away so he ended up selling just the tailgate and the rest went to the scrap yard. __________________

03-07-2014, 10:09 AM	#24
manimal Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Southern Kalifornia Posts: 3,066	Re: Found a 73 with a wood floor and need some information I personally have owned "4" long fleets with wood floors..."2" of them had the tool box in the side. __________________ ------------------------------------------------------ -Lance 2000 Chevy C2500, 5.7, 4L80e 1999 Suburban K2500, 7.4, 4L80e 1980 Camaro..son's car...PROJECT

03-07-2014, 11:42 PM	#25
Oldriginal86 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Pasadena, Maryland Posts: 160	Re: Found a 73 with a wood floor and need some information Was the wood floor only available in the long bed fleet? I know they were in short steps.

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