'68 Panel truck wood floor?
 

Has anyone replaced the wood floor in their panel trucks? I believe the original floors are marine plywood. I'm having a hard time finding 103'' marine plywood sheets anywhere so just wondering if there is a source or if anyone has used an alternative product.

Thanks,

Re: '68 Panel truck wood floor?
 

You can special order longer sheets of plywood at most real lumber yards.

Re: '68 Panel truck wood floor?
 

Thanks for the response. Maybe I should try a lumber yard across the border in Michigan then because I've tried a couple here in Canada with no luck on the long sheets of marine plywood. The only possible help I was offered from a yard here was to order a full truck load and then maybe I could get the two sheets I need. I'm only an hour to Michigan so I might give that a try unless anyone else has a thought.
Thanks again.

Re: '68 Panel truck wood floor?
 

Are you sure your panel is a sheet of wood? I've seen a lot of panels that had planks instead.

Re: '68 Panel truck wood floor?
 

Yup. Actually it is two sheets, they did pretty well for 40 yrs of use but since I have the body off the frame I thought I should replace it. I was thinking of going will planks, like folks do in the bed of p/u trucks but i was concerned about sealing the planks properly since unlike pick ups I am enclosed with the bed. If anyone has picks or has done planks in a panel I would be interested in knowing how that worked out.
Thanks.

Re: '68 Panel truck wood floor?
 

I should re-do mine, too. It's probably different than most-the underneath is in real good shape, but the inside is pretty hammered, and real oily, like the PO carried a lot of really oily stuff. I have some reason to believe he was a plumber, and it seems like pipe thread cutting oil. I'm actually kinda considering leaving it, putting down a layer of that sound & heat insulation and putting new wood over the top of that. Probably a dumb idea, but I get a lot of noise and hot & cold coming up through that floor.

Re: '68 Panel truck wood floor?
 

x2
My '67 panel truck had planks :D

http://www.fullsizechevy.com/gmcjoe/67panel/floor1.jpg

http://www.fullsizechevy.com/gmcjoe/67panel/floor2.jpg

Re: '68 Panel truck wood floor?
 

My 69 Panel had planks, when I went to look at the Suburban I bought I was kinda dissapointed becase I thought someone put plywood in as a fix...now I do not feel so bad,I found out the guys at the factory did it !! LOL

How hard would it be to put planks in? I assume the steel is the same as trucks?

Re: '68 Panel truck wood floor?
 

Ah man, you guys have panel's??? I so envy you!!! :lol:

D

Re: '68 Panel truck wood floor?
 

Thanks for the feedback guys.

Hey Joe67 & Skirkpat,
Were the planks that your panels both had factory? Also, did you happen to notice how they're joined together....ie. tongue and groove or simply butted together and would there have been any sealant on the joint to avoid exhaust? Wondering 'cause planks will be easier to get locally and will probably look better.

Pritch, I only drove my panel a short time before tearing into it but it sure was loud back there. I'm hoping the rotten body mounts had something to do with the noise...guess I'll find out soon.

Richard8971, you gotta nice truck there.

Re: '68 Panel truck wood floor?
 

Check underneath, those aren't planks. It's plywood, and the metal strips are to keep from tearing up the plywood floor. At least if it's like my 68 panel.

Re: '68 Panel truck wood floor?
 

I never paid alot of attention to the planks/plywood, I guess it could have been solid now that you mention it, I have not owned it for a long time.


That's funny, I thought the panel was about the coolest truck, until I got it home, I was dissapointed in the seating, and was always jealous of the Suburbans.....So I gave it away!!! went to a good home, I thought... Turns out my best friend that i gave it to was a bit of a hillbilly and did not drive it because it was 2wd...then he gave it to his uncle who put it out to rot in the pasture for 5-6 years......Urgh!!! I asked about it every year or so and he finnaly sold it to some Sucka in TX. Anyway, I got my Suburban and it is getting a frame off restoration, God has a way of taking care of it all it seems:lol:

Re: '68 Panel truck wood floor?
 

trapperjack, yeah that's how I thought they came from the factory as well, maybe Joe67 will check in but he did say "had planks" so maybe he doesn't have the panel any longer.

Skirkpat, funny you mention seating cause that is definitely a problem for me in that I need 4 seats to fit the whole family. I figure I will have to install some sort of 2nd row at some point in the near future, it does make me jealous of the burbans. Funny coincidence about your story is that my friend the p/o, was going to have to put this panel in a field but I told him I'd buy it from him and restore it instead.

Re: '68 Panel truck wood floor?
 

I have never seen one with planks. Mine is the plywood / metal strips like the one pictured.

Re: '68 Panel truck wood floor?
 

I sold my panel to board member HotRodTodd a few years back. My floor was factory. I am not aware how it was assembled, I assume similar to the pickup floors, but you know what assuming gets you :ito:

PM Wes, he is ( or was ) restoring a panel on here not too long ago.

Re: '68 Panel truck wood floor?
 

I have 103" NOS planks for sale...but those outside planks are wider than truck and I know I don't have those...

Re: '68 Panel truck wood floor?
 

Mine is clearly, obviously plywood. From underneath you can see just one joint, 2 sheets. Also, I can see the edge of it around the wheel wells. Looks like really good plywood, but definatly plywood. Actually, it probably would be easier to replace it with planks. There don't seem to be any difference in how they would be held in place, between trucks and panels, except at each end where the wood kinda tucks under the metal. Gosh, now my mind is running wild with the thought of sandwiching some insulation between some planks. Maybe 3/8" plank, 3/8" of insulation and then 3/8" of plank glued and screwed together. That would be 1 &1/8" thick overall, I'd just have to trim down the ends a little to get under the metal at the ends. Oh well, I have clear 'till phase three to think about it.

Re: '68 Panel truck wood floor?
 

olblue60- I think you're right and I think maybe the metal strips are deceiving and make it look like planks.

Joe67-Thanks for getting back to me, and good idea maybe I'll call Wes and see what he plans to do with his floor.

msgross- I'll get that in mind, maybe you could float them across Lake Erie and save me some shipping...:lol:

pritch- Some good ideas there, I've got a bit of time to figure it out but maybe insulating the floor would make sense since I do live in Canada and all. You sound pretty organized with phases and everything.....I kinda just dug in and now I'm try'n to dig out and see if I will be on the road this summer. I think Ive asked you before but are you planning on putting up a build thread?

Thanks all for your input.............Rob

Re: '68 Panel truck wood floor?
 

I could get them to Watertown, NY or plan a family trip to Niagra! Hopefully Customs doesn't read this thread!!! :)

Re: '68 Panel truck wood floor?
 

msgross- that gives me something to stew on....I thought I remembered you had those for sale but I looked and can't find 'em on the parts board. I don't know if it's against the board rules....but are you able to give me a ball park price or a link to the sale? Just so I can add it to my thought process, is all.
I'll keep looking on the parts for sale in the meantime.

Re: '68 Panel truck wood floor?
 

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=320780

here they are,

Re: '68 Panel truck wood floor?
 

Wow-I've been called a lot of things before...:lol::lol::lol:


Truth is, money is the driving wheel. I've given myself a year for the chassis, a year for the drivetrain, and a year for the body. If I beat that, You'll know I hit the lotto:lol: