Bed solutions - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Cheyenne Super · 08-23-2002, 09:38 PM

I think i have come up with an alternative to wood beds when the sheet metal bed is too beat up or is rusted through.
I talked to a local plastics fab shop and they think that 3/4" abs (based on thickness for wood bed) would support the same load due to the cross member spacing. Especially if ribs, simialr to stock, were cut and attached with abs glue to ad stiffness.
He is supposed to call me back and let me know the exact specs.
What do you think?

Southpa · 08-23-2002, 09:44 PM

I often thought about doing the same thing. What kind of $$$ are we talking here? in comparison to replacement with wood planks?

**smitty62** · 08-23-2002, 09:48 PM

Sure would be slick! If you don't mind stuff sliding around?

Longhorn Man · 08-23-2002, 09:57 PM

I've thought of clear plexi glass for a rece truck, or a show deal...esp if you have a chrome rear end in it.
I was trying to talk a guy in Tx with a 68 step drag only ride to do this...he had the full chrome rear too...woulda been sweet.

Cheyenne Super · 08-23-2002, 10:18 PM

i thought of that. I would probably spray the bed with a bed liner, or maybe just the plastic part. the only reason i am concerned about the wood is b/c i want to be able to use the bed as a bed without worrying about the wood getting scratched and dented and needing perodic refinishing.

chevy4ever · 08-23-2002, 10:24 PM

A friend of mine and I redid his bed that was just sheet metal layered across the org boards

. We got 3/4" ply wood and made the bed in two parts. Real easy only took about 14 hours to do the whole job. Got a bed mat from Pep Boys for $49 for a 73 and it fit like a charm... It looked great, had great support and who cares what you do to ply wood????? The guy with this truck is Quick68c10

Cheyenne Super · 08-23-2002, 10:32 PM

... can be damaged if exposed to water for over a period of time. not to be picking at everyones suggestions, i really wish the bed floor was avaliable or at least the halves.

colohusker · 08-24-2002, 01:52 AM

You and me both Cheyenne Super! I remember seeing the 2 halves either in a catalog or a website, but didn't know about the quality. I'll try to find it and send you the info...

Scott

Huck · 08-24-2002, 08:34 AM

Longbed half floors are available but----then you have to contend with all the bed supports. I think they are welded to the bed floor? they you would have to weld the center seam which would not be a fun day. Sometimes just finding a scrap bed with a good complete floor might be better but I have a similar situation so ---I'm not the expert. Pulling a bed, unbolting about 200 rusted bolts, cutting the rear alignment welds----and then replacing with another floor that you had to do the same thing to~~~Ug! Perhaps that will be a winter project. Good thing the sides are salvageable.

dwaite72lnghrn · 08-24-2002, 12:35 PM

When the original wood bed went in my truck I redid it in 2X6 and 2X8 pressure treated. The truck was mainly work and I needed a quick bed. I picked up 1/4-20 carraige bolts nuts and washers bolt cutter took care of the original bolts bed was so far gone I broke it out with my hand which allowed me to get the bolt cutters in to clean the old out. When I was finished the bed sat about 1" higher but I don't mind dropping in a couple ton of stone or firewood. The nicest thing about wood beds are things just don't seem to slide as easy in the bed on turns.

chevy4ever · 08-24-2002, 03:38 PM

yeah..with that plywood bed we loaded tons and tons of wieght...we cleared out a shop and had a few blocks, and the rest of the bed was filled in my smaller parts andthe bed didnt have any trouble taking it. I tell ya wood requires more work on them, but they do last if you keep them treated and such, and with a quick plywood job a bedmat makes it look sharp. I think quick68c10 myte have some pics.

08-23-2002, 09:38 PM	#1
Cheyenne Super Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Efland, NC Posts: 303	Bed solutions I think i have come up with an alternative to wood beds when the sheet metal bed is too beat up or is rusted through. I talked to a local plastics fab shop and they think that 3/4" abs (based on thickness for wood bed) would support the same load due to the cross member spacing. Especially if ribs, simialr to stock, were cut and attached with abs glue to ad stiffness. He is supposed to call me back and let me know the exact specs. What do you think? __________________ 1971 Cheyenne Super Soon to be converted to '68 front clip. Efland, NC

08-23-2002, 09:44 PM	#2
Southpa Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Victoria, BC, Canada Posts: 2,410	I often thought about doing the same thing. What kind of $$$ are we talking here? in comparison to replacement with wood planks? __________________ 1970 GMC 1500 Custom Original 350/TH350 Victoria, BC, Canada You can wish in one hand and crap in the other. See which one gets filled first.

08-23-2002, 09:48 PM	#3
smitty62 Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: North Carolina Posts: 1,234	Sure would be slick! If you don't mind stuff sliding around? __________________ Stepsides look like real trucks! Smitty

08-23-2002, 10:18 PM	#5
Cheyenne Super Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Efland, NC Posts: 303	slippery i thought of that. I would probably spray the bed with a bed liner, or maybe just the plastic part. the only reason i am concerned about the wood is b/c i want to be able to use the bed as a bed without worrying about the wood getting scratched and dented and needing perodic refinishing. __________________ 1971 Cheyenne Super Soon to be converted to '68 front clip. Efland, NC

08-23-2002, 10:24 PM	#6
chevy4ever Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Corpus Christi, Tx Posts: 156	A friend of mine and I redid his bed that was just sheet metal layered across the org boards . We got 3/4" ply wood and made the bed in two parts. Real easy only took about 14 hours to do the whole job. Got a bed mat from Pep Boys for $49 for a 73 and it fit like a charm... It looked great, had great support and who cares what you do to ply wood????? The guy with this truck is Quick68c10 __________________ email is matthew.solar1984@gmail.com 1980 Malibu Classic 2door(sold) 8-( 2001 Silverado single cab 4.3 V6(stolen and the totalled) 1979 GMC sierra swb stepside 350(sold) 1990 chevy suburban 4x4 350 2001 tahoe 4x4 2001 suburban 4x4

08-23-2002, 09:57 PM	#4
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	I've thought of clear plexi glass for a rece truck, or a show deal...esp if you have a chrome rear end in it. I was trying to talk a guy in Tx with a 68 step drag only ride to do this...he had the full chrome rear too...woulda been sweet.

08-23-2002, 10:32 PM	#7
Cheyenne Super Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Efland, NC Posts: 303	plywood... ... can be damaged if exposed to water for over a period of time. not to be picking at everyones suggestions, i really wish the bed floor was avaliable or at least the halves. __________________ 1971 Cheyenne Super Soon to be converted to '68 front clip. Efland, NC

08-24-2002, 01:52 AM	#8
colohusker Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Longmont, CO Posts: 436	You and me both Cheyenne Super! I remember seeing the 2 halves either in a catalog or a website, but didn't know about the quality. I'll try to find it and send you the info... Scott __________________ ------------------------------------------------ I say it's only money, my wife says it's only a truck.... '71 C10 Deluxe, factory ac, ps, pb, should be done by 2102 Longmont, CO husker95@hotmail.com

08-24-2002, 08:34 AM	#9
Huck Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Shelbyville, KY Posts: 3,269	Longbed half floors are available but----then you have to contend with all the bed supports. I think they are welded to the bed floor? they you would have to weld the center seam which would not be a fun day. Sometimes just finding a scrap bed with a good complete floor might be better but I have a similar situation so ---I'm not the expert. Pulling a bed, unbolting about 200 rusted bolts, cutting the rear alignment welds----and then replacing with another floor that you had to do the same thing to~~~Ug! Perhaps that will be a winter project. Good thing the sides are salvageable.

08-24-2002, 12:35 PM	#10
dwaite72lnghrn Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: central pa Posts: 1,525	When the original wood bed went in my truck I redid it in 2X6 and 2X8 pressure treated. The truck was mainly work and I needed a quick bed. I picked up 1/4-20 carraige bolts nuts and washers bolt cutter took care of the original bolts bed was so far gone I broke it out with my hand which allowed me to get the bolt cutters in to clean the old out. When I was finished the bed sat about 1" higher but I don't mind dropping in a couple ton of stone or firewood. The nicest thing about wood beds are things just don't seem to slide as easy in the bed on turns. __________________ 72 longhorn c30 502BB/th400/fact air/4.11rear/ custom camper 72 bug(the better half's) under reconstruction 2009 HHR aqua blue 71 GMC k20 350/sm465 2009 Chevy hd3500 6.6 Victory Red crew cab dually Dave & Jeanne

08-24-2002, 03:38 PM	#11
chevy4ever Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Corpus Christi, Tx Posts: 156	yeah..with that plywood bed we loaded tons and tons of wieght...we cleared out a shop and had a few blocks, and the rest of the bed was filled in my smaller parts andthe bed didnt have any trouble taking it. I tell ya wood requires more work on them, but they do last if you keep them treated and such, and with a quick plywood job a bedmat makes it look sharp. I think quick68c10 myte have some pics. __________________ email is matthew.solar1984@gmail.com 1980 Malibu Classic 2door(sold) 8-( 2001 Silverado single cab 4.3 V6(stolen and the totalled) 1979 GMC sierra swb stepside 350(sold) 1990 chevy suburban 4x4 350 2001 tahoe 4x4 2001 suburban 4x4



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