Bed Question???
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,239
Likes: 53
From: Coatesville, PA
Bed Question???
Well at least I can plan stuff to do on my truck, it seems it never stays above 45 two days in a row anymore, woke up today with big plans and its 28 outside too cold to lay on the driveway even with two pieces of cardboard!
Anyway I have a chance to purchase some 12" wide 8' long 1" thick boards nice, true and straight. Is there any reason these could not be used to redo the bed in my 52? I do not need the factory original look. I notice most of the bed kits sold use 6" boards but I don't see why I could not use these, I really dont want to rip them in half. Any ideas he asks while staring outside wishing he good out and play???
Anyway I have a chance to purchase some 12" wide 8' long 1" thick boards nice, true and straight. Is there any reason these could not be used to redo the bed in my 52? I do not need the factory original look. I notice most of the bed kits sold use 6" boards but I don't see why I could not use these, I really dont want to rip them in half. Any ideas he asks while staring outside wishing he good out and play???
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,696
Likes: 1
From: S.W. Florida
Dennis, it's your truck and you can use whatever wood that suits or is available cheap to you. having said that, hardwoods are the most practical, even though you may not be hauling anything. oak, in particular is durable and attractive, but you could even use pine. IMHO, a nice truck like yours deserves a nice bed, and if it were me, I would spend the extra time and money to do the job right, as opposed to cobbling something together. It would not be cost prohibitive to have the wood you referenced milled to the right thickness (5/8" or 23/32") and rabbetted for some new bed strips. I think you'd prolly be happier when done, as opposed to wishing you'd done it right the first time. Surf this very comprehebsive site a while and go from there.
WWW.MAR-K.com Jim
WWW.MAR-K.com Jim
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 96
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From: Columbus, ohio
Dennis, you will probably have problems with cupping or warping with the boards 12" wide. Even well sealed the wood is going to try to change shape with changes in temperature and humidity. The narrower boards and more spaces between the boards in the bed will let each board move a little and be less noticable.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,244
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I guaranty you those 12 inch wide boards will cup. Don't think that fastening them down with any number of carriage bolts and washers will prevent it.
You didn't say what species those boards are, but assuming they have a nice grain to them, ripping them length-ways and using them side by side will give you a nice booked matched grain pattern though.
You didn't say what species those boards are, but assuming they have a nice grain to them, ripping them length-ways and using them side by side will give you a nice booked matched grain pattern though.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,244
Likes: 1
In my previous reply I said;
"...assuming they have a nice grain to them, ripping them length-ways and using them side by side will give you a nice booked matched grain pattern though."
Actually, "bookmatched" is not the correct term for this but hopefully you get what I meant.
"...assuming they have a nice grain to them, ripping them length-ways and using them side by side will give you a nice booked matched grain pattern though."
Actually, "bookmatched" is not the correct term for this but hopefully you get what I meant.
