thinking about building a bed - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

mike in mo · 04-09-2015, 01:03 AM

My crewcab came to me bedless and i don't want a factory bed. I been thinking of building my own bed it will have the slide in camper on it most of the time so it needs sides and to be some what like a stock box. Can some one give me some measurements from a bed like floor to top of wheel well ,wheel well to wheel well inside and floor to top of side. If any one has built something like this (I know i cant be the first guy) ill take any pics and info i can get. Thank you

greg64 · 04-09-2015, 07:12 PM

The bed on my truck rusted away over 20 years ago. I built the flat deck with sides 18 years ago. I change out the wood floor about every 5 years. Originally, I had painted the steel, but with wear and tear, it kept rubbing off. 5 years ago I had a genius idea, which was to have the whole thing galvanized. Now there's no maintenance and no rust.

It's about 78" wide outside to outside.

mike in mo · 04-09-2015, 08:57 PM

thanks that's a good looking bed. like the idea of keeping the spare under the bed.

greg64 · 04-09-2015, 09:01 PM

Thanks. My truck is really utilitarian, so the cosmetics aren't too good. But the flatbed is so useful. Items 6' wide will sit flat (not riding up on the wheelwell). And I added 15 tie downs and they're great too. I think if I did it again, I'd build a toolbox under the floor. Oh, and the floor height is still less than new trucks. With more effort the vertical pieces could have curves bent into them so that they match the shape of the body lines.

Oh, I should add the the square tubing is 1-1/2 x 1-1/2 x 1/8". I've had 1500 lbs in it a number of times and it holds up fine.

tucsonjwt · 04-10-2015, 08:59 AM

For me, I think a stock bed will be more practical and cheaper. Lots of good used boxes are around in the southwest junkyards, or buy a whole truck off CL to get the bed - sell off/scrap the rest of the truck - you might even break even on the deal.

mike in mo · 04-10-2015, 09:50 AM

I have looked for a stock bed with no luck for a year now. Being a recycle yard owner makes the steel easy to get and will keep build cost down. And i think building one is right for me so I can add some storage boxes i can use even with the camper on. Some day id love to have a dd crew cab with a stock bed. Thanks

04-09-2015, 01:03 AM	#1
mike in mo Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: centralia missouri Posts: 123	thinking about building a bed My crewcab came to me bedless and i don't want a factory bed. I been thinking of building my own bed it will have the slide in camper on it most of the time so it needs sides and to be some what like a stock box. Can some one give me some measurements from a bed like floor to top of wheel well ,wheel well to wheel well inside and floor to top of side. If any one has built something like this (I know i cant be the first guy) ill take any pics and info i can get. Thank you

04-09-2015, 07:12 PM	#2
greg64 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Kimberley, BC, Canada Posts: 799	Re: thinking about building a bed The bed on my truck rusted away over 20 years ago. I built the flat deck with sides 18 years ago. I change out the wood floor about every 5 years. Originally, I had painted the steel, but with wear and tear, it kept rubbing off. 5 years ago I had a genius idea, which was to have the whole thing galvanized. Now there's no maintenance and no rust. It's about 78" wide outside to outside. Attached Images __________________ Greg 64 GMC Suburban - 283, NV3500, 14 bolt 77 C10 swb - 292, SM465, 12 bolt

04-09-2015, 08:57 PM	#3
mike in mo Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: centralia missouri Posts: 123	Re: thinking about building a bed thanks that's a good looking bed. like the idea of keeping the spare under the bed.

04-09-2015, 09:01 PM	#4
greg64 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Kimberley, BC, Canada Posts: 799	Re: thinking about building a bed Thanks. My truck is really utilitarian, so the cosmetics aren't too good. But the flatbed is so useful. Items 6' wide will sit flat (not riding up on the wheelwell). And I added 15 tie downs and they're great too. I think if I did it again, I'd build a toolbox under the floor. Oh, and the floor height is still less than new trucks. With more effort the vertical pieces could have curves bent into them so that they match the shape of the body lines. Oh, I should add the the square tubing is 1-1/2 x 1-1/2 x 1/8". I've had 1500 lbs in it a number of times and it holds up fine. __________________ Greg 64 GMC Suburban - 283, NV3500, 14 bolt 77 C10 swb - 292, SM465, 12 bolt Last edited by greg64; 04-09-2015 at 09:09 PM.

04-10-2015, 08:59 AM	#5
tucsonjwt Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,188	Re: thinking about building a bed For me, I think a stock bed will be more practical and cheaper. Lots of good used boxes are around in the southwest junkyards, or buy a whole truck off CL to get the bed - sell off/scrap the rest of the truck - you might even break even on the deal.

04-10-2015, 09:50 AM	#6
mike in mo Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: centralia missouri Posts: 123	Re: thinking about building a bed I have looked for a stock bed with no luck for a year now. Being a recycle yard owner makes the steel easy to get and will keep build cost down. And i think building one is right for me so I can add some storage boxes i can use even with the camper on. Some day id love to have a dd crew cab with a stock bed. Thanks



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