As stated above...... the wood is deteriorating away from the sides of the bed and I'd like to do something to fix it.......so I am going to throw something out there and let folks shoot at it...... and learn from the comments.

What it looks to me like I need to do is remove the bed..... probably wind up bolt cutting the bolts as they are in pretty sad shape.....to remove the bed strips. Carefully remove the old wood ( however it comes out of there ), and clean up everything underneath.

Now....for the fun part. Is there anything wrong with cutting new strips out of marine grade plywood? Seems to me like this would be a good way to go. Just cut pieces one for one........ of course using care to cut the sides properly. Then ....lay the boards in, drill and bolt it together.

If some of you would, please, let me know what I am thinking wrong here......or what I am leaving out.

Thanks in advance, for any comments you might care to leave.

Bob

 

Depending on what you use the truck for, have you considered other options. Mine has 3/4 inch plywood, which is probably quite heavy and slightly affects gas mileage; also stains and is hard to clean. What about a hard plastic finish, or if wood, then a thinner piece, like 3/8 inch, unless you really need the thicker wood for carrying lots of tools or stuff that would damage the 3/8 inch. Also, do you need it over the wheels, or just on the base of the bed? Just some thoughts....
Frank.

 

I'd like to have it back to as close to original as possible...interms of load capability.

I occasionally carry some heavy musical and sound reinforcement equipent and some of the cabinets can be pretty good size and heavy. Mainly for that reason...I need good load carrying ability out of the floor........

Again....I was thinking marine grade plywood...which would also be 3/4" and darned heavy as well.

Bob

 

wouldnt it look better with some one x6's or twox6's?? the even have composite wood in you local section of home depot. i would just use what the have pressure treated for decks just use the top grade so it will look nice.. good luck post some pics when ya finish