Scary Bed Floor

[78K20]

I live in the rust belt too. I've been thru what you are dealing with and I
suggest that when you replace your bed with another, you seam seal all the edges where your cross supports meet the bed floor. Also clean & coat the bottom side before you install. I use a product called "ZERORUST". It is available in several colors. I use red & black. First I paint with the black, then I switch to red. That way, I get full coverage. A couple coats is all you need. The good thing about RUSTFREE, is you can always touch up any problem area's later. Not so, with products like POR15.

I have a 78K20 that's been my plow rig for many years. I got tired of fuel tank's rotting out, so I switched over to polly tanks. You may consider doing the same.

Just sayin'.

[hatzie]

Mar-K has cross sills for the wood beds. They may have em for steel floors.
They are real simple pieces. A sheet metal shop might be able to make you some...

[Car'n'Guitars]

Originally Posted by hatzie

Mar-K has cross sills for the wood beds. They may have em for steel floors.
They are real simple pieces. A sheet metal shop might be able to make you some...

Yeah they are very simple that's why have considered many time of building my own bed supports. I wouldn't take it to a metal shop because it would cost me more than what I could do it for if I was to do it.

[83 Silverado]

I had the same thing on my 83, just pick up some light wall 3x3 tube, easy to find and it's not going to rust out.

[Car'n'Guitars]

Originally Posted by 83 Silverado

I had the same thing on my 83, just pick up some light wall 3x3 tube, easy to find and it's not going to rust out.

Do you have any pictures of it or the process?

[83 Silverado]

I'll see if I get a pic for you next week, I had the bed off at the time and cut the old stuff off with an air chisel, cut the tube to length and weld it in place. The only thing I'd do different if I did it again, is drill out the holes in the tube over sized before its welded in and not after it's back on the truck or you'll need to make the top hole in the tube square with a file for the carriage bolt.

[Car'n'Guitars]

Originally Posted by 83 Silverado

I'll see if I get a pic for you next week, I had the bed off at the time and cut the old stuff off with an air chisel, cut the tube to length and weld it in place. The only thing I'd do different if I did it again, is drill out the holes in the tube over sized before its welded in and not after it's back on the truck or you'll need to make the top hole in the tube square with a file for the carriage bolt.

That's exactly what I was thinking you could do. Thanks I'll check back here in a week then.