68 Bed question

[hilltop55]

My new project and I'm trying to figure out of this bed was steel or wood. There was nothing left and it has been moved. Also the second picture looks like a plate has rusted out on top of the rear spring perch? The PO moved the far rear cross member toward the rear axle for weld in a ball hitch. There is also a steel counterweight plate between the frame rails. WTH???

[67ChevyRedneck]

I can't say for 100% sure, but it was 99.9% likely wood. The bed crossmembers are "part of" the steel floor, including the one at the back that the bedsides bolt to.

I also think you're missing a cross member in front of the wheel tubs.

The front bed panels are different heights (to account for the difference in floor heights). Your back bed brace should also be "slotted" so the wood can be flush at the top of the bed panel.

[bbcmudtruck]

I have a 68 frame as well. My rear frame looked exactly like yours. It has a piece thats sandwiched the shock cross member to the frame. Mine was rusted out about like yours, maybe even worse. I cut all of the rust out and replaced it all with metal from a donor frame. Its quite a bit of work for the average dyi guy in a garage, but it can be done none the less!

[crazyjeenyus]

if the truck is original and mostly there, and by mostly there I mean if the sticker on the inside of the glove box door is still there and legible, it will say on it if it was wood

[68bowtie]

looks like a wood bed to me. to be sure if the original rear cross brace is still tack welded to the bedsides it should tell you what it was originally. the wood bed rear brace is notched along the entire top to fit the wood slats. the steel floor brace is flat on top. the guys above are right, the steel floor braces were all spot welded to the floor.

[SS Tim]

The front bed panel height is 19 1/2" on a metal bed truck and 20 1/2" on a wood floor to extend under the thicker wood floor.
If you have a SPID it would be listed as E81 Floorboard for a factory installed wood bed.

[hilltop55]

Thanks for all the info. Love this board!