Does anyone make the original style (not oak) wood panels for the 80" series stepside?
I think it was some sort of "marine plywood." looking paint them just like OEM.
reamer

 

The originals were yellow pine.I haven't seen anything but oak for a long time.

 

Hi Dusty
I don't think they were solid wood. I Reciently sold my '86 stepside about 2 years ago, (regrettably) with the original wood bed. from the fender wells you could see the layers of laminate.
Some called it Marine plywood?
Reamer

 

The earlier ones were solid wood planks.

In the later years they went plywood. Very easy to convert to wood planks though. Just need to buy a kit or make your own.

 

Since the beginning of time to 82 was individual boards
83-87 was marine grade plywood

You can find the individual boards here
Home page Horkey wood and Parts
MAR-K Classic Truck Parts made in Oklahoma City, USA
Bed Wood and Parts | Pickup Bed Floors | Domestic and Exotic Woods

 

I have an 86. When I removed what was left of the floor it was plywood. The guys at Mar-K told me that plywood was what Ford used in the floors from the factory.
I replaced mine with pressure treated plywood painted with POR-15. Then put a bed mat over it. It's a daily driver not a show truck.

 

I never had one newer than 80, so all of mine were boards.

 

So in '85 and '86 the plywood bed was actually 1 piece of wood with surface grooves in it for the seel strips?

 

Mine was to badly rotted to tell. I think it was 2 pieces. Not sure though. I did mine in one piece down the middle and then filled in the corners. Unless you take your bed apart I would suggest doing it in 2 pieces. That single piece of 3/4" plywood was heavy and hard for me to handle.

 

I think nolan is right. 2 pieces of plywood

 

keep in mind, the boards hold the bed on, the bolts go through the wood into the crossmember, then the frame. If you cover the bolts, you will not be able to remove the bed easily