Swb/fleet wood bed

[zach_carver]

Ok guys I'm getting ready to rebuild my wood bed floor. Have wood 3/4" thick and all that. Good oak wood, new strips to be painted. Any guys have any tips or tricks for this process. Should bed be on truck or off? I'm new to this never done one myself. Any insight from you masterminds that have done hundreds. Trucks a pretty regular driver and wanna be sure all is stained and sealed very well because I know it's gonna see rain. Thanks for any helpful insight. I know I know will post pics!

[Crazy Rusty]

Originally Posted by zach_carver

Ok guys I'm getting ready to rebuild my wood bed floor. Have wood 3/4" thick and all that. Good oak wood, new strips to be painted. Any guys have any tips or tricks for this process. Should bed be on truck or off? I'm new to this never done one myself. Any insight from you masterminds that have done hundreds. Trucks a pretty regular driver and wanna be sure all is stained and sealed very well because I know it's gonna see rain. Thanks for any helpful insight. I know I know will post pics!

Just started removing mine on a 62. I think the bed is supposed to be off the truck as there are quite a few nuts I've been unable to get to. Was surprised that the nuts are square so you have to use a 12 point 1/2" socket if I remember correctly. Most of the ones I can reach have been easy to remove as they just break off I've had to use a plasma cutter on a few that were turning freely. Here is a tip - 53 year old wood burns pretty nicely when extreme heat is applied, have water standing by

I bought this guy Varathane Spar Urethane but any marine grade polyurethane would work as well.

[Clyde65]

off the truck is best but not necessary. It will make things easier as stated above for getting to the bolts. Also I suggest shooting some primer or sealer on the spots you find that are bare metal or thin paint while your there.

[62 Barnfind]

I did the floor of my step side off my truck. It made it easier to get to those harder bolts.

[Vincenthdfan]

Originally Posted by Crazy Rusty

Here is a tip - 53 year old wood burns pretty nicely when extreme heat is applied, have water standing by

Hahaha...sounds like there's a little bit of a story there.

[donthekawguy]

Take the bed off, get all the old stuff off, put it on saw horses, put the outside pieces and wheel tubs on, stand bed back up, put in middle pieces, put bed back on truck, put on the rest of the pieces, drink lots of beer when done.

[donthekawguy]

Also I hid the bolts under the wood. I did this by laying the board in that the bolt WOULD go through on top of the bolt head with a dab of grease on the head. Took the board off and used a huge drill bit to cut out a recess in the board and used the strips to hold the board down. Easy to do and I think it looks better.

[duallyjams]

I have done 4 trucks 3 with bed on the truck and 1 with the bed off, personally I can replace the wood faster with the bed on.

[Joe Pass]

Originally Posted by donthekawguy

Also I hid the bolts under the wood. I did this by laying the board in that the bolt WOULD go through on top of the bolt head with a dab of grease on the head. Took the board off and used a huge drill bit to cut out a recess in the board and used the strips to hold the board down. Easy to do and I think it looks better.

Nice tip...now beer

[zach_carver]

Thanks guy! Good insight. I appreciate it. Have all wood routed and cut for strips now. Gotta sand, stain, and seal it all still though. Hard to find time it seems been redoing suspension on my brothers C10 and all goodies. Been replacing alot of parts lol thanks guys

[Crazy Rusty]

Originally Posted by donthekawguy

Also I hid the bolts under the wood. I did this by laying the board in that the bolt WOULD go through on top of the bolt head with a dab of grease on the head. Took the board off and used a huge drill bit to cut out a recess in the board and used the strips to hold the board down. Easy to do and I think it looks better.

How does this work when you try to get the bed off? Wouldn't the bolt head just spin? I just finished varnishing my boards and am about to put them on so this sounds interesting.