Wood vs Metal Bed Floor with 700HP

[dag19]

Question. Is there any reason to have a metal bed floor in a 700hp pickup? Or will a wood floor suffice just fine?

[Wizo]

I'm pushing 450hp with wood floor and solid engine and trans mounts. No problems........ except keeping rubber ON the back tires.

[Ironangel]

If memory serves correct, the wood bed is 35 pounds heavier than the steel bed...I have two 72's, one with the wood bed, she's my daily driver and the wood bed stands up to hauling leaves, wood, rear ends, transmissions and motors much better than the steel bed. My steel bed truck makes somewhere north of 600HP and cut outs for fuel cells, batteries, electrical, and plumbing is way simpler than chopping up a multiple piece wood bed...The steel bed picks up and off with just four bolts allowing access to the plumbing, electrical, and drive train. Real hot rods have aluminum floors in the beds. I have tubbed wheel wells giving the Mickey Thompson Sportsman Pro's plenty of room to do their thing...Bring wood to the drag strip and you'll be putting out a fire...Jus Sayin...

[68Gold/white]

There's a build thread in the racing section. It's back 20 pages, Titled "1967 C-10 LS POWERED Build"
Looks like a non functionable sheet aluminum floor, along with aluminum wheel tubs, very well done!!!

The bed floor is at the end of the thread.

Looks like they made light weight cross pieces out of steel angel iron, and attached the flooring and tubs to it.
I've moved a bare steel floor assy. around, by myself, like ta killed me!!! Can't imagine what 35 more pounds would have felt like.

[dag19]

All good info, I appreciate it. I couldn't figure why it'd made a difference. I intend to brace the frame as well so there won't be much structure or rigidity needed from the bed. It's just there to look pretty.

[SCOTI]

While the wood floor might be a weight penalty, it can @ least be an attractive penalty in a very helpful spot since these trucks have a significant front weight bias.

[dag19]

Luckily, I won't be hitting the drag strip any time soon...or ever for that matter! So the extra weight won't be a bad thing in the rear. I still have yet to figure out how to get it to hook...