Bed wood question

[davee60]

Hi All,

I'm trying to decide between a couple options for new bed wood in my 1966 K10 Suburban. The body will be off the frame, so using a one-piece plywood floor would not be an issue, I assume. I'd go with marine grade plywood, and seal or treat the underside really well. Then, route some channels in the top to accept the metal bed wood strips, and stain the top. I'm also considering using the composite deck boards (Trex or similar) as I've seen done on some trucks.

My question is whether there would be a structural integrity advantage that would "require" the use of a single one-piece floor (plywood). Or, once everything is bolted down, the individual boards (Trex) would not matter, as far as rigidity.

Thanks in advance for any and all opinions and info!

[franken]

Hey, I used to live in Irvine...
The truck originally had individual boards so the single piece floor question is moot. There may be a reason GM didn't use plywood.
I seem to recall the not wood boards aren't the same thickness as original, but that may not be an issue unless the bolts for the strips are short.

[davee60]

Franken, by "originally", do you mean prior years of the Suburban, like 1960-1965? I'm pretty sure all the 66's came with plywood bed floors... At least that's what I have been able to determine. I have looked at many "original" 1966 Suburbans, both Chevy and GMC, and all I have seen have plywood bed floors.

[Captainfab]

All of the '60-'66 Suburbans I have seen came with rubber clad plywood floors. The Panels came with a plank style floor but I don't remember the width of them. They were wider than the pickup bed boards. I don't see where using planks or boards in a Suburban would be an issue as long as the original thickness was maintained. Of course you will want to consider how to seal the inside from the outside.

[spacedebris]

I dont know about the other panels but mine came with plywood also. Now I dont know if that is because it is the c30 extended length or if it was an option on all panels.

Now wouldn't a single piece of plywood be more ridged than boards? parallel boards would need cross bracing to firm up, (I'm thinking about the twist effect as the truck accelerates)

But before even considering that...Do you plan on running carpet throughout the burb? If yes, then plywood should work well and would be easier to install especially since it wouldnt be seen. If No, then the next question would be how much traffic would be seen by the back seats and will the upkeep needed to keep the wood in good shape be worth it? Low traffic and for a strictly cosmetic effect then individual boards may be worth the effort to install. IMO

[LT1 Burb]

I redid mine with marine grade plywood and datoed it as the factory did, it is wider then a 4' piece so you have to use 2 pieces.

[chevy_mike]

I read somewhere the reason GM used plywood instead of individual boards was to keep any fumes out of the interior. A single seam was easier to keep sealed up. Individual boards could allow more possible gaps/leaks, which you would not want. Carbon monoxide could silently kill you. My panel is plywood.

[davee60]

Thanks everyone for your input. The fumes issue is a good point, I had not thought of that. Since the body will be off the frame, I'm thinking now that I will go with a one-piece plywood floor. I'm pretty sure I can get a marine grade plywood sheet that is larger than the standard 4x8, but I will have to check with the local lumber store.

If anyone has any recommendations for a good sealer to use on the underside and edges, I'd appreciate it. I want this to last a LONG time! Maybe bedliner spray for the underside of the wood? Thanks again.

[padresag]

Originally Posted by davee60

Thanks everyone for your input. The fumes issue is a good point, I had not thought of that. Since the body will be off the frame, I'm thinking now that I will go with a one-piece plywood floor. I'm pretty sure I can get a marine grade plywood sheet that is larger than the standard 4x8, but I will have to check with the local lumber store.

If anyone has any recommendations for a good sealer to use on the underside and edges, I'd appreciate it. I want this to last a LONG time! Maybe bedliner spray for the underside of the wood? Thanks again.

you are not going to find plywood 6' wide. you will have to use 2 sheets at I believe 35 1/4" wide each with a rabbet on each sheet 1/2" wide x 3/8" deep so that they will half lap each other in the middle when it goes together.
the metal wear strips are not set in the plywood but rests on top in a panel.
ron