Time for an update I guess. Jim Carter's shipped me a new board but it was damaged by UPS. It took a while but I finally have usable boards.

I pulled the steel plate out of the '56 and decided to put the plate back in it.

My reasons?
1. I have a toolbox in the bed. When I pulled it up I found it is a gathering place for dust and leaves. I wouldn't want to put it down on pretty new wood and I like the toolbox.

2. The steel floor was screwed to angle iron that had been welded to the bed sides. These would have to be ground off to put the right angle strips in, then paint would have to be touched up.

3. Removing the tool box also revealed painted over rust pits on the front panel. This would stand out like stuff on a white chicken with pretty new wood. I could replace the panel but now we're talking a whole new paint job.

4. My fuel tank is a home made steel box with the filler in the bed. Of course it's in the space between two boards. I'd have to cut a strip and make new square holes in the two new ends. Or weld in a side filler.

5. I decided I'd rather put the time and money into the '54.

So I stripped the steel plate to bare metal and painted it black. I'll save the wood bed for the '54.

"It's just a phase. He'll grow out of it." Mama, 1964

1956 Chevy 1/2-ton 3100
1953 Chevy 6100 "The Yard dog"
1954 GMC Suburban Now with a new proud owner.