Wooden bed replacement ideas??

[ABX131]

I really admire and appreciate all the hard work that has gone into many of the vehicles seen on this site. I want my truck to look decent but it will be a working truck, not a show vehicle. As far as the bed is concerned, it needs to be replaced, it has rotted plywood with 2 large holes in it. I dont want to use on of those fancy kits for I dont' want to ruin it with gravel, topsoil, bark etc..I was wondering if any one has tried a composite decking product that has the wood stamped finish and color already in it? I would only have to replace it once and it would look good and hold up to WA 9 months of rain. My concern is wether the stuff would expand and contract in temperature swings...Input or other ideas would be great.

[61_FL_Apache]

Mine is a daily driver and haul stuff around truck too. The PO removed the wood bed and put in an 1/8 sheet of steel. Here is part of the reinstall of the steel floor. The PO cut the metal out and this is from me putting it back..



Its almost completed here.

[ABX131]

I have a feeling it is going to be a lot of work...my wife is anxious for me to get some RR ties and some other garden items. At this point it would fall through the bottom! I can throw a sheet of plywood in it just to get her off my back (after I fix the brakes) but I am trying to come up with a long term answer.

[61_FL_Apache]

I personally wanted a drop in bed liner when I got this truck. As you see the corners of the bed in the front are missing and are now patched with plywood for now.

[k1rodeoboater]

easy solution...a rubber mat with a sheet of plywood to go over it when you need to use the truck as a truck. keeps your bed wood lookin good

[63 & 64 Bowties]

The composite deck wood has been done by a couple members here. Here's one:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...osite+bed+wood
Use the forum search and you'll find others.

[jkrenzel]

The composite deck idea is what I have been thinking to I love the look, it will last forever, easy to put in, and it comes in tons of colors and styles.

[ABX131]

That link is great! That is exactly what I a thinking of.....I would love to see some pics of the finished product if STL 66' Chevy is still around on this forum....I noticed it was started back in 07' so an update to how it has held up or any regrets or changes in the process would be great as well.

[kc0kfg]

Another option would be to use the ribbed metal bed floor from A newer truck,

Perhaps take a trip trip to the junk yard that works with re-builders, and see if you can get a deal on a box that the bed sides are wrecked.

[kf4jfk]

I used composite decking for my '64 GMC. I went to a major home improvement store and found 1"x12" decking, and it fit spectacular! It was so easy and i didn't have to route the boards for fitment over the crossbraces. Let me know what your think! I am very pleased!!!

[ABX131]

Looks great, that is what I want to do!! Are those the factory trim items?

[64shortbox]

kf4jfk,
Great job!!! That's what I want to do to my 64. Can you tell me the manufacturer of your composite planks incase I need to special order them.
Thanks

[Malibob]

I used cedar mounted to metal angle- I could pull the whole thing out if I wanted and you could haul a motor and trans. if you needed. Real rigid and light. I left the factory bed braces mounted to the bedsides and the angle front and rear.
Here is the thread I made for it.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=421481

[nomrlz]

Originally Posted by 64shortbox

kf4jfk,
Great job!!! That's what I want to do to my 64. Can you tell me the manufacturer of your composite planks incase I need to special order them.
Thanks

really thinkin about doin this as well. great job kf

[kf4jfk]

Looks great, that is what I want to do!! Are those the factory trim items?

Thanks ABX... I purchased new steel trim pieces from LMC and primed them up. the bed took my a relaxed weekend with a buddy helping and a case of budlight (you know... to make sure things were straight and level).

kf4jfk,
Great job!!! That's what I want to do to my 64. Can you tell me the manufacturer of your composite planks incase I need to special order them.
Thanks

Thanks ShortBox! I bought the composite decking the Lowe's. I was about to buy the standard 5/4" decking until I found the 1"x12" boards. They had them in 12' lengths so I only needed to buy 5 boards and still have a few pieces left over.

I started with the center board, which conveniently fit between the original strip holes. Everything else just fell into place after that.

Thanks for the comment, Nomriz! I really enjoyed the outcome. I get tons of comments on the truck when scootin' round town. I'm now waiting for the Oops man to deliver my goodies for round 2!

[64shortbox]

kf4jfk,
Thanks for the reply and the info. I'll swing by the local Lowe's Tuesday on the way home from work.

[kf4jfk]

Originally Posted by 64shortbox

kf4jfk,
Thanks for the reply and the info. I'll swing by the local Lowe's Tuesday on the way home from work.

Let me know if you have any questions. I will be glad to help in any way. It was a lot easier than I imagined. Plus I always want something that no one else has done before. Good Luck!

[sigshooter]

how much was the composite boards? I looked online and could find anything 12 wide

[kf4jfk]

Originally Posted by sigshooter

how much was the composite boards? I looked online and could find anything 12 wide

It was May of last year when I bought the Composite. I believe it was around $40 per board for 1"x12"x12'. I bought 5 boards and used the cut-offs for the front and back of the wheel wells. My '64 is a long Fleet, so it may not take 5 boards for a short bed.

[nomrlz]

you're makin this too easy. hell, i could have a couple cases on hand if you just wanna pick the boards up on your way over to help me

[kf4jfk]

Originally Posted by nomrlz

you're makin this too easy. hell, i could have a couple cases on hand if you just wanna pick the boards up on your way over to help me

Man, if the riding season wasn't gearing up like an indy car on crack, I would jump in "Bessie" and head your way! Unfortunately, It's the middle of March and I already feel like its the middle of summer with all the two-wheelers in my shop.

Good Luck on finding those boards.

I got on Lowe's Site and found some similar 1"x12"x12' boards like what i used. check out this link.

Hopefully this link will put you in the right direction.

[kf4jfk]

One thing i wish i would have done was weld in some additional cross bracing between the frame rails just before and after the axle. This will help distribute the load directly over the axle. You can see the lack of bracing in 61_FL_Apache's post #2.

I will be doing this as soon as I have the bed pulled off when I do my axle flip. I'm so like a kid waiting on christmas. Hurry the Hell up UPS! Hahaha!!!

[nomrlz]

looks like it's all goin for $85ish at my store

[hugger6933]

About twenty years ago I had my cousin bring out his 64 stepside truck with a rotted floor and I took one of my scrap beds from the 88-98 body style [that is what I was rebuilding at that time] and I tool my plasma cutter and cut out a bed floor and put in that truck . It looked great if I needed one now I would'nt hesitate to do it again. Once it was all in I put some seamsealer around the sides and it was really neat. Sorry I don't have any pics of it but that was way before digital pics

[LostMy65]

It's in the 47-59 forums, but it has some nice pics:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=405659