Howdy! I have a beautiful 1983 flairside shortbox 150. The wood on the bed floor is starting to go in several places. Was wondering if anyone has ever done the wood replacement before and how difficult it is? Is there anyplace the carries the replacement wood or can you just make your own? Do you have to remove the whole box or can the wood be replaced with the box on ?
1983 f150 XL
short box flairside
351V8
edelbrock 1406 4brl and intake
dark metalic teal and white
chrome wheels, with 31's
MSD 6a and blaster coil

 

I don't know about actually replacing the wood, but there are several companies that make wood bed kits that look very nice. If I can find some I'll post some sites. You could also try the 80-96 trucks thread.

People who say it can't be done should not interrupt the person doing it.

 

I replaced the wood in my 81 stepside many years ago. I bought red oak from the lumber yard and used a router to cut out for the metal hold down strips. I did take the bed off to do this, if you have two people to lift the bed it isn't to hard to do.

 

Yup, taking the box off os easy, the FlareSide box is relatively light... I just removed mine.....
Evan MacDonald
82 F100 FlareSide 4wd
HD 300-6 9.5:1 CR
Clifford 270H cam
Hedman Hedder
SBC valved 66 240 head
Headlight Relays - Delanty Style
NP435(6.69 low)
NP 205
3.55 Geared ARB'd 9" & Trac-Locked TTB
31x10.50/15 Cooper Discoverer LT's

 

I just got an '85 F-150 Flareside, and the previous owner had replaced the bed floor with marine plywood coated with Thompson's Water seal. You could check with any marine supply places or boathouses(if any) in your area and try that.

 

Check out Mar-K at www.mar-k.com. They have a good selection of wood bed kits and installation supplies.

 

I am in the process of doing this now. I completely removed the bed from the frame. Actually I recommend this if you are going to remove the crossbars to sand/paint. I completly sandblasted all the frame rails and metal strips. I painted all of them with Por-15. Now it is time to get the wood. After pricing Red Oak at the lumber yards it looks like it might be cheaper to buy a kit. I am still deciding to go with a kit with chrome strips or repaint my strips and use the wood from the lumber yard.

 

Thanks guys for all the info, I an still deciding what type of floor to put in. It looks like the original floor is plywood maybe 3/4" , is that a solid sheet or is it strips? thanks again

 

You should be able to by and cut wood cheaper then the kits.

 

I'd stick with a kit. Did my 1983 F100 wood bed about three years ago myself, using Marine ply sealed with Marine spar varnish to replace the existing wood bed (on the F100 it is madeup of three strips of laminated plywood). Even re-sealing it every year, the surface is now very checked and cracked (a common problem with softwood ply surfaces exposed to UV and rain I have found out) and the edges are de-laminating and crumbling. Will be doing it again - but with a good kit this time.