Perhaps I'm wrong but it seems to me that westtex36 asked about a platform body for a mid-30's truck. Everyone has descibed welded bodies using structural parts. All the platforms from the 30's were wooden and used metal only as attaching and working parts, i.e, hinges, clamps, pockets, etc. However all the structural parts were oak, i.e, the longsills, crosssills, flooring, slats, etc. So if westtex36 or anyone else wants a period piece (and why not?)then the methods described here are incorrect.
I could make dwgs of how they were but in general here are the specifications.
Longsills: 5"x3" oak with steel caps on rear to protect the grain.
Cross-sills: 4" tapering to 2.5" at each edge x 2" oak attached with steel angles bolted to longsills. Often doubled at outside.
Rubrail or outer edge: 1/4" steel u shaped pockets bolted to crossmembers.
Floors: 1" to 2" oak attached w/ carriage bolts to crossmembers.
Stakes: Oak x determined size
Headboards: generally were 1" oak.
Paint: oil based enamel
I'm not a truck historian but have seen many thoughout my 40 years in the body & equipment business as well as museums and private collections. Those would be excellent sources for research on this and always bare in mind that there were not very many "mass" producers of truck bodies in that era so often one finds "homebrew' so to speak. Even old freight wagons are a good source for construction detail since that is where it started. Just remember that modern welded bodies didn't really become popular for platforns until the mid-to-late 50's.
I have excellent sources for all the parts to build either method so if you wish to take it on send me a private e-mail. I can also help with the design and engineering of all chassis related equipment if your not in a rush.
p.s.- C/A's for platforms and dump bodies lengths are different which InMy40s may not understand when he quoted me.
