The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Making a Stovebolt Bed '46 3/4 ton stakebed wooden frame

I'm not sure if this is the correct section to ask this question but here goes. I'm restoring a '46 3/4 ton stakebed. The wood between the bed and frame is pretty bad. I was wondering if there is any particular wood I should use when rebuilding it. I was thinking pressure treated but that looks kind of funky. Since the wood is visible I was thinking a nice hardwood, but I'm not sure how it will hold up to the wear it will get. Any ideas?

thanks,
Joe

Bet they used Oak when it was installed.🛠

I would use white oak. It's strong and will hold up well in the weather.

George

Yep, white oak or post oak. There are some oaks that are a definite no so I'd be careful.

just finished my bed. Replaced 4 boards.

Sounds like white oak is the way to go. There's also a big ol' hunk of wood that runs between the frame rail and the bed, you can see it in the attached photo. I'm thinking white oak here too.

Joe

Joe,
Please tell me you are going to preserve the gorgeous rounded bed corners. That shouts art deco and I would love to have something like that. Replace the rotted wood but preserve the character of that bed!
Kent

Hi Kent,

Absolutely! Those are one of the reasons I bought the truck. I don't think I've ever seen a stakebed with those still on it. As best I can tell from photos I've seen the corners get painted the same color as the frame of the bed, kind of a satin black. Although I've given some thought to painting them to match the body, whenever I get around to painting the body.

Joe

I've located a nice used Maxon tuk-a-way lift gate that I'm thinking of putting on the truck. I'd have to remove the rear bumper and trailer hitch bar but I'm thinking the lift gate would be more useful.

Joe