83 stepside wood bed

[83highsierra]

ok so my wood is rotted but seriously its gone i have seen kits range from 400 and up i was wondering if anyone got wood on their own and did it or knows what i can put in it i know its oak but i was gonna stain myself so why cant i just do treated lumber?
thanks

[Greenlee]

I want to say there is a vendor on this site that sells the wood kits for under $300 depending on the type of wood. It's been a while since i looked. I need new wood myself.
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[notyo_cheez]

I need wood too, I'm just going to conceal the carriage bolts under the floor and use pressure treated plywood. Quick and easy.

[83highsierra]

if you dont mind post some pics when you get done so i can see the end result
thanks

[slider]

anyone tried to put a metal floor in using a floor from an old bed?

[rayfinseats]

I bet a wood floor guy could advise you. I guess it depends on how handy you are. I bet you'd only have $50 in wood.

[76stepsidechevy]

my father in law got me some red oak boards from work so im hoping to make those work. If your strips and bolts ect are still good and your handy with a table saw I think it should be a pretty simple and afordable project. Those wood kits are and awful lot of money for something that can be made with a few measurements and some patience.

[83highsierra]

yea your really just paying for convenience for the kits im thinking possibly using a router if i can get enough of a lip for the rails to sit in and taking a speed bit for the bed bolts cause my rails just need a good sanding and stripping. my idea is to line X the sidewalls of the bed and the rails on the wood i think it will look good n e opinions before its done?

[80stepsideguy]

I had a pine set and it didnt last as it rotted.So as i was building this truck i went to MAR K and got their oak set.I put 3 coats of red wood stain and then 3 coats of polycrylic clear from minwax and it came out great w/ the polished strips.

thanks
pat.

[76stepsidechevy]

That look awesome, how much of a pita was it to take that apart?

[80stepsideguy]

Thanks,
actually, i put the entire bed together then put the wood in.The pita was going underneath n trying to tighten all the bolts.I also (not pictured) got the L shaped polished lower bedside covers to match the bed strips. Just gotta take your time putting it together.

thanks
Pat

[76stepsidechevy]

I have the stainless strips and angles waiting to go on as well. I just need to get a bolt kit and find a saturday to get the wood cut to size. Does the bed need to be off to replace the wood?

[80stepsideguy]

Youll need to unbolt the bed, and undo the fuel filler neck and put blocks under the bed n on the frame.It will take some time but i beleive you can get at them.Just do yourself a lil favor, when installing the bolts throw a lil antiseize on the threads.It will save you some time in the long run if you ever need to remove them.

thanks
pat

[83highsierra]

just curious what woods will work in the bed. i was thinking just doing treated lumber has anyone done it

[81Psychobilly]

Has anyone tried using a composite boards?? The bed on my truck needs replaced and I thought about trying them.