Difference between steel and wood front bed panels - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

67ChevyRedneck · 04-25-2008, 08:21 PM

Going to Carlisle tomorrow

I've been told many a time that a steel floor and wood floor front bed panel are different for a fleetside. Did a search, came up empty handed

I'm *hopefully* going to be coming home with a nice one this weekend. I need one for a steel floor.

Can anyone tell me the actual difference? Is the height different? If so, what is it?

Thanks all.

*My bed is being stored for me 30 miles away so I won't be able to get to it before I leave for Carlisle*

see ten · 04-25-2008, 09:32 PM

If I'm not mistaken the difference is where it meets the floor. I couldn't say if it was lower or higher but it's one or the other. I would guess since the bedsides are the same and only the front wall is different that the lip that the wood bolts to is going to be lower than one that a steel floor would bolt to(to compenate for the thickness of the wood.)

67ChevyRedneck · 04-25-2008, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by see ten

If I'm not mistaken the difference is where it meets the floor. I couldn't say if it was lower or higher but it's one or the other. I would guess since the bedsides are the same and only the front wall is different that the lip that the wood bolts to is going to be lower than one that a steel floor would bolt to(to compenate for the thickness of the wood.)

Thanks Asa, that's exactly what I was thinking, but I need some proof

And measurements would be nice. I forgot to measure the bed the last time I was there

It would totally be my luck to buy a perfect one for a wood floor

Brad · 04-25-2008, 10:13 PM

Ask and you shall receive. I don't know the measurments but I'm sure you could figure that out by the pic and know what to look for. The one on the right is the steel floor header panel.

see ten · 04-25-2008, 10:51 PM

It looks like the one for a steel floor has a hole for a drain and the one for the wooden floor does not. Make sure you give any you find a good look across the tube at the top. They tend to rust from the inside out.

67ChevyRedneck · 04-25-2008, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by see ten

It looks like the one for a steel floor has a hole for a drain and the one for the wooden floor does not. Make sure you give any you find a good look across the tube at the top. They tend to rust from the inside out.

That's the problem with the one I have now, plus the big bow/dent.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brad

Ask and you shall receive. I don't know the measurments but I'm sure you could figure that out by the pic and know what to look for. The one on the right is the steel floor header panel.

Sweet!!! Thanks so much Brad! It looks like there's a clear difference in the stampings too!!! The fleet panel has the insert line real close to the end of the panel while the wood floor is a few inches away. I'm going to print/bring the pic with me

Edit: I also noticed the header is different at the top.... I wonder why THAT is??? (The steel floor one has a cutout with bolts...)

Just for giggles, does anyone have a measurement?

p-low · 10-14-2022, 11:16 AM

I came across this post looking for this answer. Here are the obvious differences after measuring and inspecting the two different types.

Wood floor is 20.5" from top of rail to bottom of flange

Steel floor is 19.75" from top rail to bottom of flange and has two drainage holes, one near each end that is drilled through the bend in the flange.

Hope this helps somebody to find what they need in the wild!

**NGN** · 10-14-2022, 12:39 PM

Is the one on the right with the cut out at top for a step side. Just curious.

04-25-2008, 08:21 PM	#1
67ChevyRedneck Hittin E-Z Street on Mud Tires Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 23,090	Difference between steel and wood front bed panels Going to Carlisle tomorrow I've been told many a time that a steel floor and wood floor front bed panel are different for a fleetside. Did a search, came up empty handed I'm hopefully going to be coming home with a nice one this weekend. I need one for a steel floor. Can anyone tell me the actual difference? Is the height different? If so, what is it? Thanks all. My bed is being stored for me 30 miles away so I won't be able to get to it before I leave for Carlisle __________________ Jesse James 1967 C10 SWB Stepside: 350/700R4/3.73 1965 Ford Mustang: 289/T5-5spd/3.25 Trac-Loc 1968 Pontiac Firebird: Project Fire Chicken! 2015 Silverado Double Cab 5.3L Z71 2001 Jeep Wrangler Sport 4.0L 5spd 2020 Chevrolet Equinox Premium 2.0L Turbo 2011 Mustang V6 ~ Wife's ride American Born, Country by the Grace of God 1967 CST Shop Truck Rebuild! My 1967 C-10 Build Thread My Vintage Air A/C Install Project "On a Dime" Trying my hand at Home Renovation! 1965 Mustang Modifications! Last edited by 67ChevyRedneck; 04-25-2008 at 08:22 PM.

04-25-2008, 09:32 PM	#2
see ten WTB this ad Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Lafayette Georgia Posts: 5,074	Re: Difference between steel and wood front bed panels If I'm not mistaken the difference is where it meets the floor. I couldn't say if it was lower or higher but it's one or the other. I would guess since the bedsides are the same and only the front wall is different that the lip that the wood bolts to is going to be lower than one that a steel floor would bolt to(to compenate for the thickness of the wood.)

04-25-2008, 10:13 PM	#4
Brad Out of the carpool lane. Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Clark Co, WA Posts: 5,673	Re: Difference between steel and wood front bed panels Ask and you shall receive. I don't know the measurments but I'm sure you could figure that out by the pic and know what to look for. The one on the right is the steel floor header panel. Attached Images __________________ 1968 C-10 SWB, 5.7 Vortec/700R4/3.73 posi, Torch Red 1968 Camaro, 250/Powerglide, all original (No, I'm not gonna drop a 350 in it!...Jeez!) 2000 Honda VFR in the faster yellow! 2008 Husqvarna TE-610 1967 C-10 SWB 'Six Appeal'-Gone but not forgotten... Last edited by Brad; 04-25-2008 at 10:15 PM.

04-25-2008, 10:51 PM	#5
see ten WTB this ad Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Lafayette Georgia Posts: 5,074	Re: Difference between steel and wood front bed panels It looks like the one for a steel floor has a hole for a drain and the one for the wooden floor does not. Make sure you give any you find a good look across the tube at the top. They tend to rust from the inside out.

10-14-2022, 11:16 AM	#7
p-low Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: buffalo Posts: 178	Re: Difference between steel and wood front bed panels I came across this post looking for this answer. Here are the obvious differences after measuring and inspecting the two different types. Wood floor is 20.5" from top of rail to bottom of flange Steel floor is 19.75" from top rail to bottom of flange and has two drainage holes, one near each end that is drilled through the bend in the flange. Hope this helps somebody to find what they need in the wild!

10-14-2022, 12:39 PM	#8
NGN Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Old Bridge,NJ Posts: 830	Re: Difference between steel and wood front bed panels Is the one on the right with the cut out at top for a step side. Just curious.



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