Plywood bed floor under $100.. - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

shp4man · 06-30-2019, 06:24 PM

There's a thread in the 67-72 section about plywood bed floors, but thought I'd post here.
My truck's a '65 long stepper with completely rotten OEM bed wood. It's a patina style truck with good mechanicals but faded paint/some rust

..anyway, the bed is actually about 4 x 8, just like a sheet of plywood.
So have been researching the different plywood grades, and hardware replacement from the cheapest sources.
I figure I can do a good, long lasting bed replacement for under $100. That's with some black or grey paint for the plywood and hardware and rust sealing.
I'm curious to see what it actually costs. It's always more, as you know.

**Chevy Fleetside** · 06-30-2019, 07:31 PM

If you measure your bed you might find that it is 97" in length, 1" longer then a piece of plywood.
I bought some pine and home depot for about $130. Will be milling and installing it soon.

**jayoldschool** · 06-30-2019, 09:19 PM

Yep, you need 10' lengths for a long bed. Cut shorter, of course.

kens65fb · 07-01-2019, 07:53 AM

Could you point me to the post on the other board ?

verdell · 07-01-2019, 11:29 AM

I ended up doing this last year for under $80.00. Unfortunately, I didn't take pics of the finished product. I painted the steel strips and used stainless button head hardware. Just a sheet of plywood from Lowe's. It came out ok and serves the purpose.

**slepysal** · 07-01-2019, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by verdell

I ended up doing this last year for under $80.00. Unfortunately, I didn't take pics of the finished product. I painted the steel strips and used stainless button head hardware. Just a sheet of plywood from Lowe's. It came out ok and serves the purpose.

how many sheets did you use?

**LostMy65** · 04-08-2022, 08:24 PM

Plywood cost is outrageous right now. You can get by with 8 feet and use a 1 x 3/4 hollow steel stock filler at the tailgate. I'll get a pic tomorrow.

**LostMy65** · 04-08-2022, 10:01 PM

Oh, and the chemicals used in Pressure Treated plywood will likely corrode metal.

**Chevy Fleetside** · 04-08-2022, 11:23 PM

`I used my table saw to cut the grooves. It was some work. I learned something. It is best to buy the wood wider and rip them down so it is next to the bolt holes on the cross sills. I never took the bed off of the truck.

**LostMy65** · 04-09-2022, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LostMy65

Plywood cost is outrageous right now. You can get by with 8 feet and use a 1 x 3/4 hollow steel stock filler at the tailgate. I'll get a pic tomorrow.

Here's a scrap piece of 3/4x3/4 steel stock I used to mock it up.
And it's the same height.

**62bagger** · 04-09-2022, 07:56 PM

I used plywood for my short fleetside. I had the plywood from another project. I am happy with the looks.

**LostMy65** · 04-14-2022, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 62bagger

I used plywood for my short fleetside. I had the plywood from another project. I am happy with the looks.

Looks good.

**LostMy65** · 04-14-2022, 03:09 PM

I ripped one sheet into two 20 inches, and the center sheet is about 34 inches. The strips are spaced at about 18 inches.

KVB · 04-15-2022, 03:22 PM

Posted via Mobile Device

KVB · 04-15-2022, 03:23 PM

Southern Yellow Pine is what was used originally, and it can be found pressure treated. Should last forever.
Posted via Mobile Device

**LostMy65** · 04-15-2022, 06:02 PM

I'll mention it again, but others may want to do their own research, but I think the chemicals used in pressure treated wood will rust basic metal.

06-30-2019, 06:24 PM	#1
shp4man Registered User Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 547	Plywood bed floor under $100.. There's a thread in the 67-72 section about plywood bed floors, but thought I'd post here. My truck's a '65 long stepper with completely rotten OEM bed wood. It's a patina style truck with good mechanicals but faded paint/some rust ..anyway, the bed is actually about 4 x 8, just like a sheet of plywood. So have been researching the different plywood grades, and hardware replacement from the cheapest sources. I figure I can do a good, long lasting bed replacement for under $100. That's with some black or grey paint for the plywood and hardware and rust sealing. I'm curious to see what it actually costs. It's always more, as you know. __________________ Everybody has to believe in something. I believe I'll have another beer.

06-30-2019, 07:31 PM	#2
Chevy Fleetside Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: San Francisco Posts: 4,775	Re: Plywood bed floor under $100.. If you measure your bed you might find that it is 97" in length, 1" longer then a piece of plywood. I bought some pine and home depot for about $130. Will be milling and installing it soon. __________________ "A man and his truck, what a beautiful thing" 65 Short Fleetside BBC 65 Long Fleetside 283 3 on the tree for now. my build thread http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=259536

06-30-2019, 09:19 PM	#3
jayoldschool Moderator Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: ON, Canada Posts: 2,151	Re: Plywood bed floor under $100.. Yep, you need 10' lengths for a long bed. Cut shorter, of course.

07-01-2019, 07:53 AM	#4
kens65fb Registered User Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Dallas, PA Posts: 545	Re: Plywood bed floor under $100.. Could you point me to the post on the other board ?

07-01-2019, 11:29 AM	#5
verdell Registered User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Columbus, MS Posts: 435	Re: Plywood bed floor under $100.. I ended up doing this last year for under $80.00. Unfortunately, I didn't take pics of the finished product. I painted the steel strips and used stainless button head hardware. Just a sheet of plywood from Lowe's. It came out ok and serves the purpose. Attached Images

04-08-2022, 08:24 PM	#7
LostMy65 But Found Her 25yrs Later! Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Oregon City, Oregon Posts: 10,468	Re: Plywood bed floor under $100.. Plywood cost is outrageous right now. You can get by with 8 feet and use a 1 x 3/4 hollow steel stock filler at the tailgate. I'll get a pic tomorrow. __________________ I lost my 65 - Found it 25 years later: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=426650 66 C20 Service Truck: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=428035

04-08-2022, 10:01 PM	#8
LostMy65 But Found Her 25yrs Later! Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Oregon City, Oregon Posts: 10,468	Re: Plywood bed floor under $100.. Oh, and the chemicals used in Pressure Treated plywood will likely corrode metal. __________________ I lost my 65 - Found it 25 years later: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=426650 66 C20 Service Truck: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=428035

04-08-2022, 11:23 PM	#9
Chevy Fleetside Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: San Francisco Posts: 4,775	Re: Plywood bed floor under $100.. `I used my table saw to cut the grooves. It was some work. I learned something. It is best to buy the wood wider and rip them down so it is next to the bolt holes on the cross sills. I never took the bed off of the truck. Attached Images __________________ "A man and his truck, what a beautiful thing" 65 Short Fleetside BBC 65 Long Fleetside 283 3 on the tree for now. my build thread http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=259536

04-09-2022, 07:56 PM	#11
62bagger Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Sonora California Posts: 264	Re: Plywood bed floor under $100.. I used plywood for my short fleetside. I had the plywood from another project. I am happy with the looks. Attached Images

04-14-2022, 03:09 PM	#13
LostMy65 But Found Her 25yrs Later! Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Oregon City, Oregon Posts: 10,468	Re: Plywood bed floor under $100.. I ripped one sheet into two 20 inches, and the center sheet is about 34 inches. The strips are spaced at about 18 inches. Attached Images __________________ I lost my 65 - Found it 25 years later: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=426650 66 C20 Service Truck: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=428035

04-15-2022, 03:22 PM	#14
KVB Registered User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: La Prairie, Quebec Posts: 230	Re: Plywood bed floor under $100.. Posted via Mobile Device

04-15-2022, 03:23 PM	#15
KVB Registered User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: La Prairie, Quebec Posts: 230	Re: Plywood bed floor under $100.. Southern Yellow Pine is what was used originally, and it can be found pressure treated. Should last forever. Posted via Mobile Device

04-15-2022, 06:02 PM	#16
LostMy65 But Found Her 25yrs Later! Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Oregon City, Oregon Posts: 10,468	Re: Plywood bed floor under $100.. I'll mention it again, but others may want to do their own research, but I think the chemicals used in pressure treated wood will rust basic metal. __________________ I lost my 65 - Found it 25 years later: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=426650 66 C20 Service Truck: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=428035



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