Bed Floor in 67 SWB Options.

[Supergas]

My truck came with the wood floor option, which was completely gone when I got it and I am really having a hard time deciding if I want to mess with wood.

My problem is that I want to use the truck not just look at it.. it is in great shape, no rust all original etc, etc, but I am not going to try to make a fancy truck out of it.. it is going to be driven frequently.. Plus I live in South Texas close to the coast and it is hot and humid with slight salty air. Non of this is good for long term varnished wood.

So, my dilemma: Three Options as I see it..

1. If I do the the wood bed, I will use Trex decking in place of real wood.

2. I can buy a premade metal bed for around $1000, but they are probably "Hecho en China" and I don't want that..

3. Or I can buy Diamond Plate steel and make a bed from that. I can then paint it or use Bed Liner. (I did this on a IH Scout and it worked out great) I welded it in and used 3M 2 Part Seam Sealer, painted it Black and it looked OEM and was virtually indestructible..

For the C10 I would probably bolt it in instead of welding it but still use the seam sealer.. that way if I wanted to change later or remove it I would have that option..

I would like feed back from any of you who have done any of the above and your opinions.

If anyone has done the Diamond Plate, please respond with your likes and or dislikes..

Thanks,

Supergas.

[Lou Boffa]

love that Trex. I use mine like a truck and dont have a garage. Looks the same as when installed 2 years ago. Powerwash it once in a while and if I'm getting real fancy I spray some Armoral and wipe it down.

[Supergas]

Did you use the deck boards or the fascia trim??

The plant that makes Trex is 25 miles from me and my buddy bought seconds from them last year and redid his deck.. about 1/2 the price of store..

By the way, instead of armorall, try Trim Shine by Stoner.. much better and a product called Awesome from Dollar General 1.00 per qt. in a spray bottle. great cleaner for everything...

Thanks for the feedback.. I am now really leaning toward the Trex with the stainless strips..

Did you have to put anything under the boards or are the same thickness as the wood??

Thanks,

Supergas

[special-K]

I'd use a good weathering wood with an oil finish and let it look like it gets used. Just hit it with oil anytime it looks leached out. Oil gets in the wood, not on it. Nothing to scratch but the wood itself, which does better than any composite lumber for that. The original wood lasted decades with not being cared for.

[RedRoad]

Were the wood beds painted black like on earlier trucks?

[cypressbog]

All the original survivor wood beds I've seen were body color.

[RedRoad]

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=484080

[68bowtie]

Originally Posted by cypressbog

All the original survivor wood beds I've seen were body color.

my 68 was black and had a wood bed. would it have been painted black?

[vics stuff]

68 bowtie Yes your bed would have been painted black.
Vic

[cooperhw]

I cut a metal bed floor out of a 73-87 Chevy truck and welded it in my 68. They are cheap and plentiful. Then had a sprayed in bed liner put on. Use it as a truck.
You asked for options.