Wood bed over the metal one.

[stfinney]

Hey all, I was just wondering how many of you have seen or used a wood bed over the top of a existing metal bed floor. I don't have $1000 for a new bed floor and thought I could buy the strips and use some lumber I already have for the floor. Would that work ok?

My metal floor is rusted through in spots and all dented up pretty bad, so not much luck of repairing it easily. What issues would I have with putting the wheel tubs back on? I use my truck alot for my cabinet building so using wood is easy for me but I want it to hold up to being used alot too. Any ideas? Thanks.

[AusTx68]

You could try using the composite decking you get at Lowes or Home Depot. Search the forum. There are photos of some nicely done jobs.

[69GWC]

If you find pictures post them up I would like to see how that looks as well.
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[stfinney]

Originally Posted by AusTx68

You could try using the composite decking you get at Lowes or Home Depot. Search the forum. There are photos of some nicely done jobs.

Wow, I never thought of that! That's a great idea. I wonder how that would look.

[oklalawnboy]

Mar-K in Oklahoma city has a conversion kit but I don't know how much it is.

[special-K]

The wood needs air to circulate around it. I don't like composite decking. Also,it will mold. If you just want to put something over the old one to get a solid floor,why not use steel or aluminum diamond plate? People have been doing that for years and it's sure fire solid. The only reason people don't like that is because they want it done right,which none of the above are. If you wanted wood for the looks,neither of the other two will give you that. You could lay strips side to side to raise the wood off the steel,then make a piece at the rear to fill the gap.

[Steve Hafner]

. . . .

The first picture below, shows Trex that was used in a custom 1958 bed.

The second picture shows Trex with a two-tone look.

But . . . you can't beat the look of a nice laid-in wood bed. ( LOL )

. . . .

[notsolo]

I think some one here also put down plastic strips or that roll plastic fence... this provides air space for the wood or composite to breathe. Also Bruce (just a pickup) made a sweet bed with composite decking.

[RenoKeene]

This is probably not what you are looking for but my brother bought a rubber truck bed mat from tractor supply for about $60. Covers the holes, looks pretty good, should last forever and would give you time to save up the money to do it right .

[cdowns]

in the past i have removed the metal floor and using angel iron from bedframes to make crosssills and side ledges then used hardwood palets from a friends glass and marble/// was a learn as u go project in the end the most expensive part was the couple quarts of polyurathane to seal and finish the bed it looked pretty good and lasted fine on lots of hard use hauling lots of crap everywhere for many years

[bonnieclyde100]

if you put wood over metal you might have to go around wheel wells because you might have issues bolting the wheel wells back to the beside with the extra thickness of the floor.

[OLDROCK&ROLLER]

Here's mine wood over metal.

[custom1970]

Here's mine, mahogany over the original metal. The bed had been Rhino lined years ago. Wood was cut around the wheel wells. Could be removed fairly easily if needed. Was a home made job, had the wood cut & routered, bought the SS strips, made a sort of frame and set in it.

[stfinney]

If going around the wheel tubs, wouldn't that rot out the wood faster from the water being trapped? I know the wood would have a clear coat, but I would think something could be done around the tubs too.

[custom1970]

I installed a small trim piece all along the sides and wheel wells. Mahogany is also very rot resistant, I sealed the edges and bottom, and the wood is slightly off the old metal so it can breath a little bit. Plus, sure i'll get nailed for this, but i try not to take it out in bad weather....

[69GWC]

Iam sure it gets enough air flow under it because the bed floor is not flat.
That looks great for sure, how did you do the edge at the back.
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[custom1970]

Originally Posted by 69GWC

Iam sure it gets enough air flow under it because the bed floor is not flat.
That looks great for sure, how did you do the edge at the back.
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I haven't done anything yet. I just have the wood finishing tight up to the tail gate. Doesn't look bad. Should probably eventually put in a piece of stainless or something.

[special-K]

Originally Posted by 69GWC

Iam sure it gets enough air flow under it because the bed floor is not flat.
That looks great for sure, how did you do the edge at the back.
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The little bit of air passing "only" through the low spots would not be adequate,plus 1/2 of the area would still touch the high spots. It would also create a roll effect with the ridges making it hard to have a flat floor....unless you ripped the boards to break on the ridges. You need side to side supports to do it right. And still,I only recommend doing this on fair weather trucks (garage kept). Any water (or just moisture) will still be held longer between the two floors than with an OEM wood floor that is totally exposed to air on both sides.

[Dunenutt]

Ahem...

http://www.horkeyswoodandparts.com/page2.html

[69GWC]

I have been working with wood for the last 26 years I think with it sealed right it would be just fine, IMO
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[stfinney]

Thats looks great and wow is it expensive, lol. I am loving the idea though! Yes, I agree 69GWC, if I sealed the boards from top to bottom, I would think it should be fine. I guess if it did rot, it would take a long time to do it.

[custom1970]

Umm, I did side supports and the truck is garage keep. Sorry if that wasn't clear. would never recommend what I did for an outside all the time truck
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[BHyatt]

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...source=message

[stfinney]

Oh yes, that's exactly what I am talking about! Thanks BHyatt, that helps alot.

[special-K]

I've been working with wood for 40+ years and I know you don't want wood over a steel floor without adequate air circulation to prevent rot. I also know you'll never seal water out. Like I said,and custom1970,this is all good for a garaged cruiser but not for regular exposure to the elements. That Show Deck is removable and also not intended for constant exposure to the elements. AND,it's held off the floor giving sufficient air circulation. I've rebuilt or repaired three wood porches this summer,so believe me,I know the effects of weather on exposed wood floors...with adequate air circulation.