wood floor replacement

[bigbadchev72]

Well I have a 67 long wide box that i am in the process of building, the original wood floor is rotted away and the po threw a piece of plywood back there, I plan on replacing this myself and have a few questions

First what is the most common wood to use as replacement? I am not wanting to spend a fortune doing this $150-200

[KMACD71]

Oak is what is most commonly used as far as I know and the wood kits are more like $300-$400.Wood only.

[Gray Ghost]

Unless you are a woodworker, that's just not possible. Along with tghe kit you'll need the runners and bolt kit as well. Then you'll need to finish the wood. Expect to pay around $450-500.

[pumpgas]

Or I have a wood only kit I will sell you supper cheap.

[bigbadchev72]

I am totally capable of making a replacement bedfloor, Just wanting to know what are the most common material, so is oak the only thing? what came factory? I have a few buddies that work at the lumber yard, so i can get there price on material, all my strips look to be in good shape, so after media blasting and paint those will be put back into service, I was already planning on replacing bolts, and have a family friend that owns a fastener shop here in town that sells to me at cost.

[Gray Ghost]

Cool. I am a woodworker [decks/pergolas/furniture/cabinetry, etc] so I can help with just about any stage of the project you have questions about.

Among the Oak varieties, your best bet is White Oak due to it's longevity outside in the elements. Most people have red oak kits and while it's a hearty wood it's really not that great for outside use. There are many exotics which would be better than oak but they get awful pricy.

As far as finishes go you'll need something with UV protection such as spar urethane varnish [Minwax] or a boat deck varnish. Multiple coats are suggestion for more protection.

Last time I did a bedwood project, it was for a 1929 Model A. The white wood was milled to 13/16" and then cut to match the floor pettern. I used Boiled Linseed Oil to pop the grain, then coated with 7 coats of spar urethane. Looked great.

Good luck with the project and post some pics when you're done!

[kyull67]

This was done with one sheet of Grade A Birch Plywood. It's cut in three pieces but looks just like eight individual boards. Total spent @ $75.

[Gray Ghost]

Nice job Kyull....what did you do to treat the underside?

[kyull67]

Thanks. I used the same clear polyurethane for the top and bottom of the boards. I think about five coats each.

[kristoferlarson]

there is a wood called purple heart semi trailer manufacturers use it on there decks cause it can withstand massive abuse very hard wood, and its kinda purple! check with some manufacturers they may have some waste.

[Richard H.]

Originally Posted by bigbadchev72

I am totally capable of making a replacement bedfloor, Just wanting to know what are the most common material, so is oak the only thing? what came factory? I have a few buddies that work at the lumber yard, so i can get there price on material, all my strips look to be in good shape, so after media blasting and paint those will be put back into service, I was already planning on replacing bolts, and have a family friend that owns a fastener shop here in town that sells to me at cost.

I think I have read that oak and #1 pine were the choices. When I removed what was left of mine I am pretty sure it was pine. I also "think" the pine was painted to match the truck color and oak was clear. Something to do with where it was made ... west coast or mid west.

[Chevymann1968]

Originally Posted by kyull67

Thanks. I used the same clear polyurethane for the top and bottom of the boards. I think about five coats each.

JUst wanted to say that looks really good!!!!!

[Boise69]

Originally Posted by pumpgas

Or I have a wood only kit I will sell you supper cheap.

i am close enough i think, but is the hardware kit readily available online? how much for the wood? where in indiana?

[mbgmike]

Originally Posted by kyull67

This was done with one sheet of Grade A Birch Plywood. It's cut in three pieces but looks just like eight individual boards. Total spent @ $75.

Looks nice
Just for info your 1980's Ford stepsides came with Plywood bedwood. Their use to be a Russian made 11 ply 3/4" plywood even though it was for cabinets we would leave scrap outside and it was amazing how long it stayed together untreated

[Green Machine]

Southern yellow pine was the factory choice, pretty rot resistant. White pine boards won't last very long. Red oak looks great but not real weather resistant. White oak is used in many grain truck and some semi trailer floors, hard and rot resistant. Our next project will likely use the southern yellow pine, more of a driver than a show truck.

[kyull67]

Originally Posted by Chevymann1968

JUst wanted to say that looks really good!!!!!

Thanks!

[Gray Ghost]

If you ask for that Birch at the hardwood dealer ask for Baltic Birch. It is amazingly stable for plywood.

[72BLUZ]

i bought my wood and hardware off ebay.

[SOUTHERN917]

I don't mean to hijack this thread, but does anyone have templates for the replacement boards? length-width-depth-hole spacing and size-groove depth for strips-etc. I have every kind of wood working machine, I just need the measurements.

[BluTrukker]

The type of wood you use depends on your needs. If your not going to leave it out in the rain, about any kind of wood will do as long as you protect it from the sun. If you want factory go with the pine, if you want custom, I would go with the purple heart, it looks awsome with a little clear on it.

[kyull67]

Originally Posted by SOUTHERN917

I don't mean to hijack this thread, but does anyone have templates for the replacement boards? length-width-depth-hole spacing and size-groove depth for strips-etc. I have every kind of wood working machine, I just need the measurements.

Look here.
http://www.gmcpauls.com/47-72_BedWood_Info.htm

[SOUTHERN917]

Thanks kyull67, thats a good start for me.