Original wood beds

[kcfirstbuild]

Just trying to find some pictures of a original wood bed. I'm about to buy one for 150. Just wanna make sure it hasn't been messed with.

[VA72C10]

ttt for some pictures...I know that the NOS bed wood was black coated and the strips were sometimes painted black and sometimes body color from what I've seen....

To avoid confusion of those reading editing this because I misspoke and of course many times the wood was painted body color from the factory...with matching strips

[71swb4x4]

The original ones that I have seen were body color, wood and strips. I have seen the NOS wood, and that is black, but as far as I know the wood beds were painted body color in the factory.

Edit: can you post a picture on here? We could tell you if it appears original. If there is a for sale ad take the picture from the ad.

[71blksuper4x4]

Originally Posted by VA72C10

ttt for some pictures...I know that the bed wood was black coated and the strips were painted black or body color from what I've seen....

Not every wood bed had black wood floor. I have seen 71-72's with Body color wood and strips. My buddy actually had a 72' that was bought from the original owner with factory ochre wood strips. Trevor

[faribran]

i recall going to the dealer, with parents in 66 to pick up 67 short step with wood bed...
the planks were painted black and the metal strips were black

[Already Gone]

My original black 69 with wood floor has black wood and black stips.
Posted via Mobile Device

[jocko]

ok, taint a 67-72, but it is the original stuff and look. Starting to warp pretty good but i can't complain. I think the body color thing started in 67(?)

[SS Tim]

The body color painted wood beds started in '67. Here are some pictures. The bed wood installation book from Mar-K would be a very good start. Three original paint Longhorns below. A C/30 9' Stepside and a brochure.

[SS Tim]

Meant booklet, can't find mine. The joy of too many books...
Here is a catalog clip to illustrate. Assembly and service manuals as well of course.

[Shaky]

Here's my '67 after I removed the steel plate the original owner had put in it:

[special-K]

If I remember correctly,it may be that the body color matched floors started in '68 or '69. It's been a while since I've had this conversation. Maybe someone with a known '67 or '68 can verify this.

[franks72]

the 67 i just got had a cap/sleeper on it since 68 .This is what was under it.

[100%Chevy]

My original 68 Anniversary is re-painted on top,but is black underneath.
Mike.

[kcfirstbuild]

thanks everyone !

[LockDoc]

-
Here is my original '70. Had a camper in it all it's life. It has A-7-70 stamped in one of the pieces of wood.

LockDoc

[SS Tim]

Here is a clip from the '68 picture I posted. When it resized during posting the colors went away.
Also we seem to have strayed from the original posting a bit. One thing I'm wondering kcfirstbuild, are you looking for stepside or fleetside info?

[BLAZERMAN]

My 68 with original bed wood.

[special-K]

The Stepsides I've had were painted body color. But,I've never had a '67 or '68.

[kcfirstbuild]

I have a 68 longbed fleetside. My steel floor has to many dents to fix so I'm going to pick up a long bed wood floor box. From my understanding is that i can use my original bed sides. I would use the sills, header, and the rear sill from the donor bed.

[SS Tim]

Originally Posted by kcfirstbuild

I have a 68 longbed fleetside. My steel floor has to many dents to fix so I'm going to pick up a long bed wood floor box. From my understanding is that i can use my original bed sides. I would use the sills, header, and the rear sill from the donor bed.

Not exactly but you are on the right track, Some parts are specific. If you want an original looking bed you will need wood wheelhousings. Again Mar-K has a lot of tech info you can read on their site and booklets for replacing a wood bed or converting a metal bed to wood (its close but not exact). Then of course you could always replace the metal floor as well. See post #9.

[kcfirstbuild]

Wood wheel housings ?

[kcfirstbuild]

Second Question, Will I be ok mounting the bed to the frame with out wood in it yet ? Until I save up for the wood ?

[VA72C10]

Originally Posted by kcfirstbuild

Wood wheel housings ?

That would be a first for me as well....

I learn something new every day but if there's a difference I've never been told or seen it....

[71swb4x4]

Originally Posted by kcfirstbuild

Second Question, Will I be ok mounting the bed to the frame with out wood in it yet ? Until I save up for the wood ?

I have never put a wood bed in, so I may be wrong, but I am almost certain the bed sides and front sit on the wood. I don't think you can properly mount it to the bed without the wood in there. I did own a truck that the PO had previouisly put plywood in, and that worked just fine. It may be an option for you until you can afford nicer wood.

[SS Tim]

There is apparently a difference in the flange shape or hole pitch or hole diameter where the bed outter strips meet the wheel tub. At this point I cannot remember, it was back about '94 when I was looking into this with GSPP. Went and dug through a box and pulled some catalogs to try and answer this question.
"Bed strips are modified to allow the use of the sheet metal bed's original inner fender" Eventually I bought a wood bed that turned out to have about a gallon of filler smoothed into it! The deal that wasn't. Anyway it stuck in my mind as a difference. Like to hear someone else chime in on this. Close up pictures of known original wood bed tubs and steel floor tubs are requested. Something tight along the rear flanges should do it.