The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Diamond Plate in bed in a '64

This is in regards of my son's '64 Chevy 1/2 ton fleetside long bed. Has anyone ever tried replacing the wood and strips with a sheet of diamond plate?

My father put diamond plate in an old '70 custom 10 I used to have. It looked great. He covered the inner bedsides and capped the top rails as well.

I have never done this personally, however I have seen several applications of aluminum diamond plate in the bed of these trucks in lieu of the factory yellow pine and metal wear strips. When applied correctly and in a workmanlike manner, this can be a very nice looking solution. Proper preparation of the metal you are covering will ensure a long-lasting installation. I have seen it done when the owner doesn't want to mess with replacing the rotted wood and rusted metal runners. Covering it up to hide it is OK, however you may be revisiting the situation later if you plan to keep the truck. Also, it will become evident if you sell the truck. In any event, I would install the diamond plate below the flange on the inner bed panel and the wheel wells. I have seen it above and below, but below looks better. Good luck with your project.

I recently bought a '54 3/4 ton that had been used as a tow truck. It has a full diamond plate bed (except for where the winch was-I now have to splice in the hole). The steel diamond plate is good for hauling purposes-Aluminum will look good but it will scratch easily since it is soft. I guess it depends on whether you need the truck for work or for fun.

Aluminum diamond plate is the way to go. Forget about replacing that oak, it's a pain in the butt. When you need to haul something just lay down a piece of plywood. Also for you folks with dogs; don't put your dog in a steel / aluminum bed on a hot day or they can burn their feet.

John S.,

I've considered this solution too. I've got a '66 Chevy C-10, and the wood is totally rotted out. My truck is not a restoration - it's a hauling street rod.

I called an outfit in Tucson that specializes in constructing steel trailers. I told them that I wanted to replace my truck bed with steel diamond-plate, and they gave me a bid of about $700, which includes all new structural angle-iron underneath, and an "I"-shaped panel of diamond-plate for the bed floor.

After I get that in, I'm going to run it to Rhino for a spray-in bed liner. I think that'll be pretty durn durable!

That's my idea for a practical solution, and somethin' different. I get REALLY tired of seeing thousands of red oak, multiple clear-coat repro bed floors!

---Scoob

I'm looking at installing aluminum diamond plate for my 55 1st series. Is it safe to assume this is a custom installation all the way? Or does someone actually supply a kit? I have searched the internet and haven't found anything pre-fabbed yet.

I've already installed 3/4" pressure treated plywood for the floor. New angle iron has been welded to the sides. I want the checkerplate to cover the top of the rails, the sides and the floor. Problem with the bed floor is that it is approximately 50" wide, 2" wider than a standard 4' sheet. I then have to find a local sheet metal fabber that can nicely bend aluminum diamond plate. I'm thinking 1/8" thick is the way to go. Locally, I can get a 4x8 sheet for about $250.

Any additional ideas would be appreciated.

I have seen alumunum diamondplate installed on top of plywood ,which makes up the difference in thickness of the planks ,and then installed under the side strips which makes a nice looking bed .