Aight, last year I had to replace my F100, and I happened upon a nice 86 F150.

Most everything was decent on it, except that the bed is not a good way. Someone awhile ago replaced the bed wood with plywood. And it's rotted away in numerous spots, and the rest of it is following suit.





My biggest worry, other than the wood itself is the metal angles on the sides of the bed that the wood bolts to. It's rusted out badly in areas, and will not work to bolt in new boards.

My idea is to cut out the rusted sections, and replace it with some thin angle iron (possible ss), and install it with ss pop rivets. Due to the shape of the fenders, the rivets won't be seen on the outside, and should be plenty to hold it on good. Thoughts?...

 

Also, I need to figure out about how to pull out the wood and replace it.

Am I correct in thinking that I remove the tailgate, pull off the steel angle at the end of the bed, unbolt everything, and slide out the wood?

Anyone who's done it and has pictures, please feel free to share them!


lastly, where have you guys gotten your wood to replace with? I'm considering trying to get the pattern for the wood and having it cut out by a cabinet guy down the road. Anyone know where to get pattern for the wood?

 

That's completely aftermarket, right? Either a home made custom or a utility body?
Either way, pull it out, repair and paint the steel, and make cardboard templates for the wood. That's how I would do it. Be sure to seal all six sides of each piece of wood before installing it. I'm not really a truck guy, but I am a woodworker.

 

This will take more than one sheet of plywood. I would use marine grade. Originally Ford had (I believe) four pieces of wood for this. You will have to remove all of the metal slats. (probably have to cut the bolts off) and then the two bed sides. You will now be able to remove the wood. The person who did this themselves probably have a seem in the middle. You can repair the rusted sides as you said, but while they are off, I would take them to someone that can weld in new pieces if you are not a welder. LMC offers all of the replacement bolts in SS so that you may disassemble in the future if needed. You can also stain and protect the wood as preferred, but no need if using marine (pressure treated) plywood. A second set of hands is helpful but not necessary. Remember, to save the old wood to use as a template for your new application. Also once the wood is removed, you will probably need to clean up the front and rear sills where the wood lays on it as from the pictures, they will probably have a lot of rust.

 

wow that looks really really good

 

Individual boards came from the factory from 1951-82 with 6 metal strips

Plywood was factory in the Flaresides from 83-87 with 5 metal strips

 

It might not have been replaced before. My 81' had individual boards, so I'd assumed that this one must have been changed from factory. From looking underneath, it looks like it's a solid piece of plywood.


So I need to completely disassemble the bed to get to the wood? There's no way to pull it out with taking off the whole sides?


I can tig weld in new metal, but I don't have the money to have the bed repainted, and there are areas where it would burn through the paint on the outside, that's why I was trying to come up with a different method.

 

Can I change it to planks? Would that be more beneficial than plywood?

 

I replaced my bed with marine grade plywood and then capped it with aluminum diamond plate.

 

YoungSmith - Great to connect on here! Just took the wood bed off the '81, and here are a few thoughts:

I removed the bed first and set it up on a frame made of angle iron that the garage I'm working with had already built. Knowing your skills it wouldn't take you much to build a frame if you wanted to take the time, when I'm over there I will snap a few pics for you. Taking the bed off is a bother but it really helps you get to all the bolts underneath... that being said, you may be able to get it all apart WITHOUT removing the bed also.

The wood floor will all come out if you:
1.) unbolt the center strips and remove them. I soaked the bolts from the underside in PB Blaster first which helped, but still had to pound a few up through with a rubber mallet

2.) Remove the bolts that go through the flanges on the bedsides

3.) At this point, the individual boards were showing on the '81, and pulled right off (the sides needed a bit of persuading) - but on your '86 I bet you could cut the plywood down the middle lengthwise with a jigsaw so you have two pieces - then pull one half and the other?


As to the bedsides, here are a few thoughts. On the '81 as I dug into it I realized that the bedsides did have some rust on the flanges like yours. When they redid the bed, they sanded them down and then covered them with aluminum strips, tacked / welded onto the flange - then sealed the two pieces together well with body filler. To me, it looks like you still have a lot of flange there. You might be able to sand / grind it down well to get rid of as much rust as you can, then paint it with rustoleum. I'm planning to do that with mine...

Also, Bedwoodandparts.com sells some angled strips that look like they will fit right over the flange, and even come punched with the holes. I'm thinking those could cover and give a nice finished look, and you could weld or bolt them to what you have left of the existing flange. Here's a link to the part for the '81, you may have to see if the part is different on your year but I'd bet not: Bed Wood and PartsTruck Bed Angle Strip Sets

For wood:
The wood on the '81 wasn't original I don't believe... I think from Ford it came in different widths, BUT here is a neat find: When I took it off and measured, it was simply four 1x8s and four 1x6s. The 1x8s are the four boards in the middle, and the 1x6s are the four on the outside. To take this approach though, you will need to get a few extra strips, and also would have to drill at different points on the four crossmembers. Probably not a big deal though. All are 3/4" thick.

The only boards that are shaped differently are the two on the outside due to the fender cutouts. Within a few weeks I will have the new bedwood traced and drilled from the old wood. I'm not that far down the road from you, only about 45 minutes - would be glad to make a template for you of the outside pieces or even get you the old wood pieces to use as a guide.

I wonder if you could use a few pieces of 3/4" plywood, - maybe two cut so that the seam falls where one of your center strips are?

Message me if you like, we can catch up by phone also

 

I finished cutting and drilling my new wood this weekend from the old - here is what it looks like laid out, you can see all the holes. If you want the old wood as a template for your fender cutouts etc let me know