The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Tons 'o Fun 9 ft bed wood

I am at the point in my project I need to rebuild the bed in my 1950 1 ton. Any recommendations on which vendor has the best cost, quality etc.... Looking for bed wood, metal bed strips, wood bed support blocks, and all fasteners for a 9ft pickup bed.I would like to purchase all the items from one supplier if possible.

Mar-k who sponsors the Forum called "How to make a Stovebolt bed".

I,m with Jerry on this one too.
Top Quality and they Have everything.
steve sr.

I checked out their website and it looks like they have all the pieces for the 9 ft bed.. Thanks for lead

I am planning on using my truck and dont plan on putting a stain or varnish finish... Probably will use black paint like original. Any recommendations on using oak or pine? Does oak make a stronger bed?

If you're going to paint it, I would go with the original pine. No sense in spending the extra for oak if it's just going to get painted.
BTW, there is a technical bulletin on their site (I think it might also be under the Tech Tips section here, too) on Mar-Ks tests on different finishes, including an oem style black paint.

Red oak is denser, more porous, stronger and heavier. White oak is more water/rot resistant than red oak. Pine is softer and lighter. It seems that red oak is commonly used in the bedwood kits and it absorbs water and rots because of its structure. All depends on your use. Paint will scratch off on either one over time...but less so with the oaks. Southern yellow pine was the wood of choice back in the day... but it was older growth and more dense than what you can find today.

I would never use red oak for a truck bed due to the ease with which it rots. Any wood kept dry and painted/sealed will last but you can't always do that so use a rot resistant wood from the start.

If you want good dense southern yellow pine or even heart pine you can find it if you look. Very few woods are unobtainable if you look and are willing to pay for what you want. lots of reclaimed/recycled wood available and dealers of the same.

Grigg