ideas for flooring material for bed floor.

[250powerglide]

my bed floor is shot (wood) . im not ready to go back with a wood kit just yet so im looking at my options until that time comes . it looks that whatever material that i use will need to be 3/4''-7/8'' thick ? my friend worked at a factory that made storm shutters out of 7/8 '' thick pvc board but the factory is shut down now so im not sure where to get something like that . what ever material i use i was going to use the spray can bed liner from autozone to make it look decent . any ideas besides wood guys ?

[special-K]

You can get PVC board from any building supply. PVC isn't structural and can't take it. Wood is the right thing. Why don't you want wood?

[cdowns]

a few years ago i saw a gut who used some of that synthitic decking planks for a bed floor didn't look too bad almost like real wood
have also seen pressure treated wood used cheap but functional

[ChevLoRay]

When I had my next-to-last '65, it was a LWB fleetside. I put a nice insulated camper top on it, then used some 3/4-inch exterior-grade plywood for the floor, which then got carpeted. Times were different in '76. Anyway, it worked well. I preferred to have new wood, but I didn't know then, what I know now.

[bmfm64]

When I had my short step the wood was shot so I put a layer of 1/2 inch plywood over the old wood and then I found a sheet of 1/4 inch aluminum that was almost exactly the right size at a scrap yard I gave 40 bucks for. then after all that I grabbed a rubber bed mat from a truck at the yard and cut it down... noone was the wiser.

[Steve Hafner]

How about THIS look ? - "Real" wood is the best !!! ( . . . it ran when I parked it !!! )

[250powerglide]

thanks for all the replies guys . i prefer to use a large sheet instead of plankes . it will only be temporary i do plan on using the real thing with chrome strips and all i just want something thats easily removeable while im working on a air suspension setup . hey mr special k i havent been able to find the pvc board anywhere can you give me a link ?

[VA72C10]

he was saying the pvc board isn't structural so you shouldn't use it.

Best idea if this is temporary and you plan to spray bedliner over is to get a sheet of 1/2 or 3/4" outdoor grade plywood (pressure treated)....cut it to fit... and spray the bedliner on it. I'd run some screws into the remaining wood under since it will tend to "cup" on you if you don't screw at least the edges down

[tantrumpipeline]

saw one with clear plexi glass and a very detailed/pinstriped chassis at a show, can't find the pics anywhere, looked kind of cool but I'd imagine it wouldn't take long for it to get sandblasted from driving

[67C10BUB]

I was wishing that they made aluminum 3/4" x 6" (1/8" wall) square tubing that could take the place of the boards. It could be powder coated and last forever, with the same wood bed look.

[Flint70step]

I will be replacing the wood floor in my step side bed soon.I am a carpenter by trade and build a lot of decks/pergolas/arbors.There is a Brazilian hardwood called Ipe(E-pay) and I will be using it for my floor.It has a beautiful tight grain and will last longer than your truck.I have had some drops from a job sitting under an oak tree on the ground for 15+ years.There is no rot what so ever.You cant drive a nail in the stuff cause its so dense and hard.Hard to even make a dent in it with a hammer.Look up Ipe and check it out.I will be making slots in the side of the planks to fit a bolt with a washer welded to to top of it to hold down the wood with no visible fasteners.I will post some pics of the wood later.Hope this helps

[Steve Hafner]

Originally Posted by Flint70step

I will be replacing the wood floor in my step side bed soon.I am a carpenter by trade and build a lot of decks/pergolas/arbors.There is a Brazilian hardwood called Ipe(E-pay) and I will be using it for my floor.It has a beautiful tight grain and will last longer than your truck.I have had some drops from a job sitting under an oak tree on the ground for 15+ years.There is no rot what so ever.You cant drive a nail in the stuff cause its so dense and hard.Hard to even make a dent in it with a hammer.Look up Ipe and check it out.I will be making slots in the side of the planks to fit a bolt with a washer welded to to top of it to hold down the wood with no visible fasteners.I will post some pics of the wood later.Hope this helps

Here's a picture now - that will look AWESOME !!!

[special-K]

Yeah,Ipe is some tough stuff...and be-a-utiful! Everyone should remember,the wood in these trucks is 40 years old. I've had 25 year or older OEM wood still holding up. I've seen replaced wood using nice hardwoods looking pretty rough and it was due to using a poly that blistered and peeled. Whatever wood you use you need to strongly consider the finish/preservative you use. That is the main thing. Personally,I prefer oils over anything with a hard finish. Something that gets "in" the wood,not rely on the hardness of a shell laying "on" the wood. If it's temporary,I'd just take a sheet of 3/4" plywood and make it work. If this is a Fleetside you'll need to piece it in front and behind the wheel houses.

[Flint70step]

Yes Ipe is gorgeous.Depending on the way it was milled,it can have some very beautiful grain.If it is quarter sawn it can have a tigers eye effect.An oil finish is the way to go with Ipe as SpecialK stated.I'm going to go to my decking supply yard and hand pick some boards with great grain character so when I apply the oil the wood grain will stand out.After I do mine and post some pics,I may make some kits up and sell them on the site.Discount of coarse to board members.I have had a 1 foot long 1x6 of Ipe sliding around in the bed of my truck for 5 years.It is raw untreated and still looks great just starting to turn a slight silver grey.Wonderful wood,like I said in previous post""It will last longer than your truck''

[67C10BUB]

Can you get Ipe in 1x8? I looked online and didn't see it anywhere. It looks like they only sell it in 1x6 for decking.

[bigkountry]

I've seen solid sheets of oak plywood in alot of show trucks. Some had no grooves and some did, all in the tastes of the owners.

I think it looks good with the grooves in it...kinda stockish looking. I never got to talk to the owners about price and where you would get a peice that big (not the standard 4'x8' sheet where you would have to peice it in front/rear of wheel wells).

[hayhauler71]

Originally Posted by bigkountry

I've seen solid sheets of oak plywood in alot of show trucks. Some had no grooves and some did, all in the tastes of the owners.

I think it looks good with the grooves in it...kinda stockish looking. I never got to talk to the owners about price and where you would get a peice that big (not the standard 4'x8' sheet where you would have to peice it in front/rear of wheel wells).

3/4 maple in mine with two seams and I can hardly see them

[Flint70step]

Originally Posted by 67C10BUB

Can you get Ipe in 1x8? I looked online and didn't see it anywhere. It looks like they only sell it in 1x6 for decking.

The place that I get my Ipe from has it in 1x8.They have many dif sizes,even 2x12(heavy bastards).I going to use 1x6 and 1x8's on my bed.1x8 in center then alternating from there out.I think it will look good.

[67C10BUB]

Can you get us some contact info for the place you get yours from?
Posted via Mobile Device

[ChevLoRay]

Originally Posted by Steve Hafner

How about THIS look ? - "Real" wood is the best !!! ( . . . it ran when I parked it !!! )

If it wasn't you that parked it there....the owner will probably say, "Jus needs a bat-ry."....