I was wondering how to go about making a wooden box bottom for my 78 F-150 longbox. Is there any books or anything on how to do this?, and can it be done?. Becuase my box bottom is starting rusting out, and I cant find a new box for it here.

Thanks alot Joe

 

I just finished a wooden box on my ' 77 this week.If you plan on keeping the sides maybe you can just bolt 2x6's to the old floor. If you plan on scraping the whole box like I did it can be more than just a weekend project. I used pressure treated lumber for my cross members, stood a 2x6 on edge behind the cab and through bolted to the frame in the old holes from the original box, the next set of holes took a 4x4, the next two sets of holes were notched 2x6's again to get a straight and level floor. the main concern was keeping clearance above the gas tank in back. When the cross members were "set" the rest just sorta falls into place. I used 3/8 x 4 and 4 1/2" lag bolts, two in each section, eight to a board, 12 boards across. The sides you can play as you go if you want them. I had all the lumber from previous projects but the hardware; bolts, lags, nuts, washers etc came to $47.00, those I bought at a local farm supply store that sold bulk stuff for .95 a pound. Figure I got over 5o pounds of steel hardware in the thing but it turned out beautifull. The whole box other than the crossmembers is made with rough sawn pine full 2" boards I treated it with wood preservative and while the old box was off I completely undercoated the frame with Bondo brush-on rubberized undercoating Good luck and if I can help out some just ask.
2x2

 

There was a website I saw that had kits for converting the styleside 6 1/2 and 8 foot bed floor to wood. They also sold complete replacement stepside boxes and the metal strips in painted, chrome and stainless. I cant remember the companys name but I probably found it linked to a Ford trucks site. Keep looking...

 

Thanks for the idea's, I'm thinking now I might just bolt on 1/2 or 3/4 inch treated plywood.

Joe

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