Longhorn Wood Bed - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

jec · 04-24-2005, 10:21 PM

Has anyone recently replaced the bed wood in a longbed or longhorn?

I am preparing to replace the original decking in my bed and have not yet found a source for the new material. I can purchase red oak 1 x 8 lumber locally for around $4 a lineal foot (80 total feet req'd). This method would using my router to cut the groove along each edge of the boards. I would still have restore the metal strips and buy alot of hardware.

Buying an entire kit may be easier and cheaper in the long run. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

GloryHound · 04-25-2005, 12:18 AM

Mar-K beds is the place to go.

LILREDGMC · 04-25-2005, 01:04 AM

Be careful with the cost of wood, as it is usually sold in board feet. I made the wood with an experienced woodworker for my 1942. We did not use a router, but used a combination of blade configurations to get the desired groove. Bought strips from Jim Carter in KC, etc.

Am thinking of making my own for my Longhorn, but will purchase white oak rough cut, run it through planer, edger, then do the grooves. You might save some $ at a cost of sweat equity.

**JIMs70GMC** · 04-25-2005, 06:47 AM

I bought my angles/strips for my long step from Wes at Classic Heartbeat. For wood, I'm using pressure treated wood for bulkheads. I plan on using mine, I'm going to stain the wood black.

**special-K** · 04-25-2005, 07:32 AM

I don`t think you`ll save on buying wood kit by the cost you gave.You`ll have your labor,but this is a hobby,right?Does anyone make bedwood in the Longhorn length?The factory didn`t.Can you believe that?That always baffled me.It`s got to be the simplest part GM ever had made.

jec · 04-25-2005, 12:10 PM

Special-K, the boards in my bed are Full Length and measure 8' 7". I am almost certain they are the originals due to the fact they were under a diamond plate covering that looks as old as my truck.

rusted75 half ton · 04-25-2005, 01:07 PM

My boards aren't origional on the longhorn but run the full lenght of the bed.PO did say it was a kit.Didn't replace them myself though so don't know who made them.

**special-K** · 04-25-2005, 11:45 PM

Oh,ok.I`ve only seen 8'+7" peices staggered.

**kwmech** · 04-26-2005, 12:01 AM

There are kits available, and I am sure from various vendors on this board, I bought mine from a vendor near me, along with new steel rails.

longhorn71 · 04-26-2005, 12:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwmech

There are kits available, and I am sure from various vendors on this board, I bought mine from a vendor near me, along with new steel rails.

That is what my wife did too.

classicchev · 04-26-2005, 12:23 AM

Jec, sent you a PM.

LILREDGMC · 04-26-2005, 11:00 AM

JEC

Wes at Classic Parts in Indiana has kits. The wood is 103 " long by memory, on his site he has the drawings for the wood lengths, widths, groove size, for all the trucks. He does not sell the pieces, but the whole kit with rails, hardware and wood. I don't recall the stagger that was mentioned in the other posts, unless someone was trying to do something with shorter boards.

LILREDGMC

da-burb · 04-26-2005, 05:35 PM

Your oak pricing would be $6/board foot. You should be able to do better than that. I haven't purchased for a shile, but when I did I was buying small quantities for $2.50 a bd ft. I think you will be better off buying a kit. Bruce Horkey is a major producer of these kits. w w w.horkeyswoodandparts.com I would buy from one of the many great vendors on the board and ask them if Bruce supplies the kit. It is top notch if it is.

classicchev · 04-26-2005, 08:28 PM

Rough lumber (S2S) 15/16" thick is sold by the board foot, S4S, planed on all sides 3/4 " thick is sold by the lineal foot, depending on the width the wider=higher $.

MOTHERTRUCKERS · 04-27-2005, 09:22 AM

You have PM

04-24-2005, 10:21 PM	#1
jec Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Middletown, Ohio Posts: 131	Longhorn Wood Bed Has anyone recently replaced the bed wood in a longbed or longhorn? I am preparing to replace the original decking in my bed and have not yet found a source for the new material. I can purchase red oak 1 x 8 lumber locally for around $4 a lineal foot (80 total feet req'd). This method would using my router to cut the groove along each edge of the boards. I would still have restore the metal strips and buy alot of hardware. Buying an entire kit may be easier and cheaper in the long run. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

04-25-2005, 01:04 AM	#3
LILREDGMC Registered User Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania USA Posts: 461	Bed Wood Be careful with the cost of wood, as it is usually sold in board feet. I made the wood with an experienced woodworker for my 1942. We did not use a router, but used a combination of blade configurations to get the desired groove. Bought strips from Jim Carter in KC, etc. Am thinking of making my own for my Longhorn, but will purchase white oak rough cut, run it through planer, edger, then do the grooves. You might save some $ at a cost of sweat equity.

04-25-2005, 06:47 AM	#4
JIMs70GMC user # 2756 Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Chesapeake, Virginia Posts: 4,612	I bought my angles/strips for my long step from Wes at Classic Heartbeat. For wood, I'm using pressure treated wood for bulkheads. I plan on using mine, I'm going to stain the wood black. __________________ 1970 K25, 8' stepside bed 350/465/205 44 up front, 60 in the rear 4.10s rolling on 33" Dunlop MTs 1986 K5, 350/465/208 Dana 60/14 bolt from a cucv 36" Super Swampers TSL/SX 1983 K20 w/ CUCV axles, 350/700R4/208 sitting on 37" Goodyears 1986 M1031 6.2 diesel, TH400/NP205 locker in the rear and a LS in the front, all stock for now..... 1986 K30, 350/400/205 dana 60 and 14 bolt. I kept the drivetrain. Body/bad and chassis are gone. 1981 K30, 350/465/205 dana 60 and dually 14 bolt. Has a G80, and a flat bed. Going to replace the flat bed. 1985 K20, 350/400/208 10 bolt and SF 14 bolt. I wonder where I can find some 1 tons. Hmmmmm

04-25-2005, 07:32 AM	#5
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	I don`t think you`ll save on buying wood kit by the cost you gave.You`ll have your labor,but this is a hobby,right?Does anyone make bedwood in the Longhorn length?The factory didn`t.Can you believe that?That always baffled me.It`s got to be the simplest part GM ever had made. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

04-25-2005, 11:45 PM	#8
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Oh,ok.I`ve only seen 8'+7" peices staggered. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

04-25-2005, 12:18 AM	#2
GloryHound Working on a Nova. Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: ## Posts: 506	Mar-K beds is the place to go.

04-25-2005, 12:10 PM	#6
jec Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Middletown, Ohio Posts: 131	Special-K, the boards in my bed are Full Length and measure 8' 7". I am almost certain they are the originals due to the fact they were under a diamond plate covering that looks as old as my truck.

04-25-2005, 01:07 PM	#7
rusted75 half ton More trusty Less rusty Join Date: May 2004 Location: Lakewood,Colorado Posts: 152	My boards aren't origional on the longhorn but run the full lenght of the bed.PO did say it was a kit.Didn't replace them myself though so don't know who made them.

04-26-2005, 12:01 AM	#9
kwmech Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Colfax-California Posts: 8,650	There are kits available, and I am sure from various vendors on this board, I bought mine from a vendor near me, along with new steel rails.

04-26-2005, 12:23 AM	#11
classicchev Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Calgary Alberta Posts: 1,936	Jec, sent you a PM.

04-26-2005, 11:00 AM	#12
LILREDGMC Registered User Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania USA Posts: 461	Bed Wood JEC Wes at Classic Parts in Indiana has kits. The wood is 103 " long by memory, on his site he has the drawings for the wood lengths, widths, groove size, for all the trucks. He does not sell the pieces, but the whole kit with rails, hardware and wood. I don't recall the stagger that was mentioned in the other posts, unless someone was trying to do something with shorter boards. LILREDGMC

04-26-2005, 05:35 PM	#13
da-burb "Ochre Ogre" Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Springfield, MN Posts: 3,558	Your oak pricing would be $6/board foot. You should be able to do better than that. I haven't purchased for a shile, but when I did I was buying small quantities for $2.50 a bd ft. I think you will be better off buying a kit. Bruce Horkey is a major producer of these kits. w w w.horkeyswoodandparts.com I would buy from one of the many great vendors on the board and ask them if Bruce supplies the kit. It is top notch if it is. __________________ Bowtie Truck Stop Inc. Mid-West GM Truck Restoration Parts Supplier Your Key Parts, Auto Metal Direct, Dynacorn, and Goodmark dealer. like us @ www.facebook.com/BowtieTruckStop 1971 C-10 Suburban (Ochre) 1971 K-10 Suburban (Ochre) 1972 C-10 Suburban (Ochre) 1972 K-20 Suburban (Yellow- that just aint right!) Springfield, Minnesota 56087

04-26-2005, 08:28 PM	#14
classicchev Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Calgary Alberta Posts: 1,936	Rough lumber (S2S) 15/16" thick is sold by the board foot, S4S, planed on all sides 3/4 " thick is sold by the lineal foot, depending on the width the wider=higher $.

04-27-2005, 09:22 AM	#15
MOTHERTRUCKERS Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: BRADENTON FLA Posts: 3,269	You have PM __________________ Rest in Peace Ed. Thanks for all the good times.

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