Not putting groove in new bed wood for hold down strip? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**bautino95** · 09-03-2018, 09:31 PM

has anyone ever not put the groove into new bed wood for the hold down metal strip? I'm re-doing my old rotted wood bed with composite decking that I got from Lowes. I got my new spacing figured out because its only 5-1/2" wide. And had to rip the thickness down to 3/4" because it was 1" thick. So what do you think? will it have enough clamping force for hold the decking in place without cutting the groove into it? Thanks

**special-K** · 09-04-2018, 07:56 AM

I dunno, I'd do a groove. Why not? It locks things in place and puts the ridges just above the floor. Looks great, too.

davepl · 09-04-2018, 10:11 AM

The groove locks it side to side but allows for end to end sliding. I'm guessing if it were possible to do properly without the groove, GM would have done so to save money. GM was huge about saving money. If you see a cotter pin on this truck, it's NEEDED, don't take it out.

**bautino95** · 09-04-2018, 01:21 PM

The only real reason I don't want to do the groove is the decking says that it has some kind of protective wrap layer. So I didn't want to cut into that. I think I do a test piece and see what happens.

**jeffahart** · 09-04-2018, 01:51 PM

I would just cut the dado's. If you don't, you have to lose the factory strips. You could make your own from flat iron from Industrial metal supply. But seems counter productive.

If you cannot dado the material... how can you rip or crosscut?

I say don't over-think and dado away!

j

6T7 C10 · 09-04-2018, 08:51 PM

I am thinking you could get away without the grooves but the strips would sit higher instead of flush with the floor. If you are okay with that then it is an option. Share some pics once you are done.

1968aj · 09-04-2018, 09:00 PM

this iswhat it will look like. installed about a year ago and sits outside.

rockyrivermark · 09-04-2018, 09:00 PM

Sounds line pvc coated composit.
I think it would still look best with the grooves cut in the planks.
You really don't see much at all of the exposed cut

bill3rail · 09-07-2018, 09:12 AM

The grooves set the bed strips level with the wood so you do not have them sticking up.

Cut the grooves, they are simple enough to do.

Bill

09-03-2018, 09:31 PM	#1
bautino95 Active Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: vallejo, ca Posts: 160	Not putting groove in new bed wood for hold down strip? has anyone ever not put the groove into new bed wood for the hold down metal strip? I'm re-doing my old rotted wood bed with composite decking that I got from Lowes. I got my new spacing figured out because its only 5-1/2" wide. And had to rip the thickness down to 3/4" because it was 1" thick. So what do you think? will it have enough clamping force for hold the decking in place without cutting the groove into it? Thanks

09-04-2018, 07:56 AM	#2
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: Not putting groove in new bed wood for hold down strip? I dunno, I'd do a groove. Why not? It locks things in place and puts the ridges just above the floor. Looks great, too. __________________ "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 ~

09-04-2018, 10:11 AM	#3
davepl Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Redmond, WA Posts: 6,332	Re: Not putting groove in new bed wood for hold down strip? The groove locks it side to side but allows for end to end sliding. I'm guessing if it were possible to do properly without the groove, GM would have done so to save money. GM was huge about saving money. If you see a cotter pin on this truck, it's NEEDED, don't take it out. __________________ 1970 GMC Sierra Grande Custom Camper - Built, not Bought 1969 Pontiac 2+2 427/390 4-speed Coupe 1969 Pontiac 2+2 427/390 4-speed Convertible

09-04-2018, 01:21 PM	#4
bautino95 Active Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: vallejo, ca Posts: 160	Re: Not putting groove in new bed wood for hold down strip? The only real reason I don't want to do the groove is the decking says that it has some kind of protective wrap layer. So I didn't want to cut into that. I think I do a test piece and see what happens.

09-04-2018, 01:51 PM	#5
jeffahart Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 1,907	Re: Not putting groove in new bed wood for hold down strip? I would just cut the dado's. If you don't, you have to lose the factory strips. You could make your own from flat iron from Industrial metal supply. But seems counter productive. If you cannot dado the material... how can you rip or crosscut? I say don't over-think and dado away! j __________________ White K20

09-04-2018, 08:51 PM	#6
6T7 C10 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: TX Hill Country Posts: 150	Re: Not putting groove in new bed wood for hold down strip? I am thinking you could get away without the grooves but the strips would sit higher instead of flush with the floor. If you are okay with that then it is an option. Share some pics once you are done.

09-04-2018, 09:00 PM	#7
1968aj Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: houston texas Posts: 1,438	Re: Not putting groove in new bed wood for hold down strip? this iswhat it will look like. installed about a year ago and sits outside. Attached Images

09-04-2018, 09:00 PM	#8
rockyrivermark Registered User Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Fairview Park, Ohio Posts: 1,031	Re: Not putting groove in new bed wood for hold down strip? Sounds line pvc coated composit. I think it would still look best with the grooves cut in the planks. You really don't see much at all of the exposed cut __________________ My build page http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=764662 My cabinet building site http://www.cbcabinets.com

09-07-2018, 09:12 AM	#9
bill3rail Registered User Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: LI, NY 11801 Posts: 1,140	Re: Not putting groove in new bed wood for hold down strip? The grooves set the bed strips level with the wood so you do not have them sticking up. Cut the grooves, they are simple enough to do. Bill __________________ 1970 C10 8' Fleetside, L6 250, 3 on the Tree. The most basic of pickup trucks!

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