First restoration-need wood bed help

[Texasupton1]

I would like to start by saying what a great site this is. It has been very helpful in starting my first restoration, a 83 GMC SWB. I will post details on that later, but for now I have a question on my wood bed. I started to remove the bolts, metal strips, and rotten wood last night. FUN. As I got into it, it looks like once all of this is removed the remaining bed and walls will basiclly be just setting on the frame. It looks like the wood is "sandwiched" between the sides of the bed, and where it attaches to the crossmembers, or is this just an illusion and the wood is actually just tucked under the outter edge and and bolted in place? Is this right or will I discover the bed is actually attached in another way and is not loose once all of the wood is removed? I was thinking the wooded part is just a floor, and removing it and replaceing it did not effect the structure of the sides or require the entire bed to be either lifted or removed to put the wood under it?? My plan is to go back with treated 3/4" plywood for now since I will use the truck daily, using only one metal strip down the center to hold in in place, and tucking the outer edges under the metal angle along the sides. Thanks for any photos and help.

[83highsierra]

When you get it done include pics plz I have an 83 and was wondering how it would look thank and good luck
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[walkerb]

Im assuming its a stepside? What pics do you want?

[Texasupton1]

Yes, step side. I guess what I am asking for, is will I have to lift or support the bed while the wood is out? Does the wood provide any support between the bed sides and frame, or is it just the floor? I guess I dont really need photos for that.

[cjlinkster]

If you didn't want to put wood back in there, you could go with some metal.

Years ago I had a step side with a rotted wood bed, and I decided to put a piece of diamond metal. Just had to drop it in there, and used silicon adhesive around the edges. It worked great.

[Texasupton1]

I am way ahead of you. I have 2 sheets in the back yard. I am just going to see how it all works out. Need to get the old stuff out first

[IOWNATRUCK]

Yeah just removed it on an 84, basically take out all the strips and angle strips and the planks should just come right out. the sides and back of the bed really have nothing to do with the wooden planks except maybe a few bolts from the metal strips holding the wood down.

[walkerb]

The wood doesnt go under the bedsides just under the angled metal stips that are attached to the bedsides

[Texasupton1]

Exactly the answers I was looking for. Thank you. I hope to get it all out this weekend. Any reason why they use square head nuts rather than 6 sided?

[Texasupton1]

I have all the wood and metal strips off and I was right. The bed now just sits on the frame. I will have to lift one side at a time, and tuck the wood under the side angle brackets. In a few spots, the wood is sandwiched between the cross memebers and the angle brackets. the bolts/studs seem to be attached to the angle brackets. I have not beat on them, but they seem to be attached. Maybe not. Does not look like a probem though because of the way I am going to do the wood. I will post photos once I get it done this weekend. THe very fron corner is going to be a problem, since the front 2 bolts are above the gas tank an I cant get to the nuts unless I drop the tank. I will have to cut and punt then.

[Clyde65]

When replacing wood, it is always easier/better to remove the bed from the truck....if you can

[Texasupton1]

I can see that now. However, I am working alone, outside in a small driveway. I have it all out now so I hope I am past the worst part.