What color and type of bed wood for a blue truck?

[davepl]

I need to order a bed wood kit, and probably stainless rails, for my '70 GMC Longhorn in Dark Blue.

Factory it was just all blue, of course, but these days it's pretty much par for the course to upgrade the wood.

Any thoughts or suggestions on ash vs elm and what color stain would go well with dark blue? As always, pics welcome!

[special-K]

I'd do blue wood w/stainless strips. I think paint would look great. I did a floor for my friend's original/unrestored '72 Cheyenne Super Custom Camper/20. I used yellow pine and stained it to look like aged paint...no pictures

[Daddy Brim]

If you plan on using it like a truck I would paint it. That way if you scratch the wood repaint and it is new again.

[69GWC]

Dark blue, well I would do a real light color with the stain myself more of a natural oak just enough color to bring out the grain in the wood.
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[GRX]

My '69 stepper is Carolina blue. The oak planks in my bed are stained red mahogany with black rails and sides. I use it as a truck but protect the wood when I can. Then do a quick re-stain each spring after hitting it with some steel wool.

[SS Tim]

Of course I prefer stock blue but I see your point. Blue stain, like this is a great look. Wood choice is up to you.

[chipflyer]

Here is a pic of mine with medium blue, oak boards, light stain and spar varnish.

[special-K]

Originally Posted by SS Tim

Of course I prefer stock blue but I see your point. Blue stain, like this is a great look. Wood choice is up to you.

That's what my job looked like,except with original paint on the body and bed strips. But that wood looks identical

[jocko]

Guess it depends on how you will use it and what your goal with the truck is.
I'm kinda weird when it comes to bed wood - while I like a gorgeous one you could eat off of as much as the next truck show fan - my preference is as follows (for your situation):

1) bone stock - blue rails and blue painted wood (ease of maint, re-touch, originality).
2) same as #1, except powder coat the rails in the stock blue (or close, of possible)
3) dark blue rails with a DARK stained oak (treated to look aged)
4) blue tint+stain + any bedrails.

For some reason, not a big fan of stainless rails. They are low maintenance and stay looking pretty good. (i'd prefer pc if I could match the paint well).

To your question, I would choose ash over elm, and darker stain over lighter. And not so shiny you can eat off of it. Again, just me. Stock re-done as new is sweet. You can't go wrong though.