Wood floor to steel?...on a LONGHORN - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

manimal · 07-31-2007, 08:56 AM

Has anyone ever converted a Longhorn's bed to a steel floor? Did you use a stock floor and add to it or did you do something "creative"....say diamond plate,etc...? I am wanting to do this to get rid of the wood. Are the front bed panels the same as all other 67-72? I will be looking for one for a steel floor to use. Thanks
-Lance

lilred67 · 07-31-2007, 09:28 AM

i replaced the wood floor in my swb step side with 3/16" steel plate.
i used all original cross members and welded in a frame work of 3/4" 11ga. square tubing ( same thinkness as the wood ) and then put the steel plate on top of that and welded it down from the bottom.there are some pics on here some where, maybe do a search for them.... hope this helps

crazy longhorn · 07-31-2007, 09:39 AM

Yup, mine is steel. The old runners were pretty tweeked, so I used 2x3x1/8 wall tubing, with a 3x3 end runner, & a couple 2x1 's over the axle. the 1st ft in from the edge(front & rear of the tubs) is laid in 12 guage smooth sheet, & the center was done in 14 guage tread plate. I dont have any pics yet on the finished floor, but there are some good shots of the bracework. The wide tubs have been removed, & stockers set in for a more dual purpose hauler. I also plan a spray in liner to protect the box.

L here are pics http://community.webshots.com/user/hotrodhorn

**Classic Heartbeat** · 07-31-2007, 11:15 AM

I am converting one over to a factory steel floor. I will cut the front lip off of a nice steel floor that I have then measure and cut another front section off of another bed bottom. I want to make it look like it came from the factory that way. WES

68K20 x Drill · 07-31-2007, 01:46 PM

I have a fair wood bed I'd like to use without the wood. I also have two good steel beds. What is the best recipe for me to have a wood free bed?
I want to use the sides of the wood bed because of the nice side tanks with factory looking fill holes. I need to get rid of the wood because i seem to spill diesel and gear oil and such in the bed too often.

crazy longhorn · 07-31-2007, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 68K20 x Drill

I have a fair wood bed I'd like to use without the wood. I also have two good steel beds. What is the best recipe for me to have a wood free bed?
I want to use the sides of the wood bed because of the nice side tanks with factory looking fill holes. I need to get rid of the wood because i seem to spill diesel and gear oil and such in the bed too often.

Assuming you are working with an 8' box, you need the floor & the front box panel from the steel bed, & it all bolts together. Dont forget that there a couple welds to cut at the bottom of the rear posts.

L

RicksTrucks · 07-31-2007, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 68K20 x Drill

I have a fair wood bed I'd like to use without the wood. I also have two good steel beds. What is the best recipe for me to have a wood free bed?
I want to use the sides of the wood bed because of the nice side tanks with factory looking fill holes. I need to get rid of the wood because i seem to spill diesel and gear oil and such in the bed too often.

There is a board vendor, Mar-K in Oklahoma City, that sells conversion kits for the short and long bed trucks - for steel to wood bed conversions. May have some ideas going the other way.

68K20 x Drill · 07-31-2007, 04:33 PM

Mar-K have some informative instructions on there site, looks like mostly I have two welds to grind
http://www.mar-k.com/67-72conv.pdf

manimal · 08-01-2007, 07:40 PM

Cool, thats exactly what I was wanting!
-Lance

07-31-2007, 08:56 AM	#1
manimal Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Southern Kalifornia Posts: 3,066	Wood floor to steel?...on a LONGHORN Has anyone ever converted a Longhorn's bed to a steel floor? Did you use a stock floor and add to it or did you do something "creative"....say diamond plate,etc...? I am wanting to do this to get rid of the wood. Are the front bed panels the same as all other 67-72? I will be looking for one for a steel floor to use. Thanks -Lance __________________ ------------------------------------------------------ -Lance 2000 Chevy C2500, 5.7, 4L80e 1999 Suburban K2500, 7.4, 4L80e 1980 Camaro..son's car...PROJECT Last edited by manimal; 07-31-2007 at 08:58 AM.

07-31-2007, 09:28 AM	#2
lilred67 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: weatherford,texas Posts: 1,003	Re: Wood floor to steel?...on a LONGHORN i replaced the wood floor in my swb step side with 3/16" steel plate. i used all original cross members and welded in a frame work of 3/4" 11ga. square tubing ( same thinkness as the wood ) and then put the steel plate on top of that and welded it down from the bottom.there are some pics on here some where, maybe do a search for them.... hope this helps

07-31-2007, 09:39 AM	#3
crazy longhorn Fabricate till you "puke" Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ill Posts: 9,403	Re: Wood floor to steel?...on a LONGHORN Yup, mine is steel. The old runners were pretty tweeked, so I used 2x3x1/8 wall tubing, with a 3x3 end runner, & a couple 2x1 's over the axle. the 1st ft in from the edge(front & rear of the tubs) is laid in 12 guage smooth sheet, & the center was done in 14 guage tread plate. I dont have any pics yet on the finished floor, but there are some good shots of the bracework. The wide tubs have been removed, & stockers set in for a more dual purpose hauler. I also plan a spray in liner to protect the box. L here are pics http://community.webshots.com/user/hotrodhorn __________________ 69 longhorn,4" chop,3/5 drop, 1/2 ton suspension/disc brakes,1 1/2" body drop,steel tilt clip, 5.3/Edelbrock rpm intake/600 carb, Hooker streetrod shorties,2 1/2" exhaust/ H pipe/50's Flows , 6 spd Richmond trans,12 bolt/ 3.40 gears.... Last edited by crazy longhorn; 07-31-2007 at 09:43 AM.

07-31-2007, 11:15 AM	#4
Classic Heartbeat Project Junkie! Fishing Poor!! Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Olympia,Wa. 98512 Posts: 10,770	Re: Wood floor to steel?...on a LONGHORN I am converting one over to a factory steel floor. I will cut the front lip off of a nice steel floor that I have then measure and cut another front section off of another bed bottom. I want to make it look like it came from the factory that way. WES __________________ On-line catolog Classic Heartbeat Pickup Parts WEHEPP@comcast.net Call us Toll Free (888) 338-2502 Like Us on Facebook No appointment necessary. 72 BB Chevy Custom Deluxe / Custom Camper 67 I-6 (Soon to be 5.7 LS1) Panel 68 BB Chevy Short Bed 72 6.0 LQ9 Short Bed Chevy 4X4 Olympia's fastest growing truck parts supplier. Olympia's home for Wayward Chevys

07-31-2007, 01:46 PM	#5
68K20 x Drill Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Freedom CA Posts: 488	Re: Wood floor to steel?...on a LONGHORN I have a fair wood bed I'd like to use without the wood. I also have two good steel beds. What is the best recipe for me to have a wood free bed? I want to use the sides of the wood bed because of the nice side tanks with factory looking fill holes. I need to get rid of the wood because i seem to spill diesel and gear oil and such in the bed too often. __________________ 68 Chevrolet k20 Longbed 350 SM465/205, Dana 44, 14bolt, Power steering, Power Disk Brakes, 35" BFGs. 84 Chevrolet Suburban K20 6.2 Banks turbo TH400/NP208 Now with G80 68 GMC C20 Parts? Truck And a few cars

07-31-2007, 04:33 PM	#8
68K20 x Drill Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Freedom CA Posts: 488	Re: Wood floor to steel?...on a LONGHORN Mar-K have some informative instructions on there site, looks like mostly I have two welds to grind http://www.mar-k.com/67-72conv.pdf __________________ 68 Chevrolet k20 Longbed 350 SM465/205, Dana 44, 14bolt, Power steering, Power Disk Brakes, 35" BFGs. 84 Chevrolet Suburban K20 6.2 Banks turbo TH400/NP208 Now with G80 68 GMC C20 Parts? Truck And a few cars

08-01-2007, 07:40 PM	#9
manimal Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Southern Kalifornia Posts: 3,066	Re: Wood floor to steel?...on a LONGHORN Cool, thats exactly what I was wanting! -Lance __________________ ------------------------------------------------------ -Lance 2000 Chevy C2500, 5.7, 4L80e 1999 Suburban K2500, 7.4, 4L80e 1980 Camaro..son's car...PROJECT



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