The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Wooden Box

I have decided that in order to drive my truck soon I need to build a wooden box now. I am so close to having it done except the box. Does anyone have plans for a short box on a 42 1/2 ton. Then I will rebuild my original box next fall and winter. Any ideas would would be greately appreciated. I just want to drive it already after 7 years. All I have to do is fix one brake leak and the box.

Dad6timz,

Congratulations, I envy you, I finally have a place to work on mine. I have gathered plenty of parts and trucks, and I am just about to begin the rebuilding and restoration process.
What about a flatbed, that should be pretty simple? If you are determined to build a wooden box, I have seen one or two in the gallery that have a wood box with the original fenders. Those looked pretty cool, unfortunately I don't remember the year or owner, you'll just have to browse until you find it. As far as dimensions go, that is all available also. You need to check the links, I know it's all there, as I have seen it. You may try and check "Brads 41 thru 46" or something like that. He had a lot of good information posted.

Good Luck, and keep us informed on what you decide.

John

John has the right idea, dad. You might not know it, but you want a flatdeck made from tongue-and-groove 2x6 boards over timber crossmembers, held together with 3/8 carriage bolts. Do that right and it'll work for years if you want it to. You can even make sideboards if you desperately wand a box.

No experience on truck boxes but my woodworking would lead me to think oak or maple and maybe poplar for areas that might be painted or don't show. Joinery could be fun. Mortise and tenons with wood pins? Or just bolts and big washers. Or, fab up some steel straps and use nuts and bolts. It would be a real fun project.

Just don't use pine for this unless it's for a temporary fix.

We use douglas fir on semitrailer decks hereabouts. Works fine. Are there trees in NY?
;-)
Mark

I was talking to a fellow from Mississippi, and he suggested Cypres wood for the bed. Paintable if you wish, and good looking finished au natural. Plus it is bug and rot proof-- up to a point.

Cypress is very durable. However it needs to be at least from a 70 year old tree to resist rotting. Count the rings...

what about oak, if you really seal it good. i still don't have a wood bed in my 49, someone welded diamond plate in the floor, i never bothered to change, it looks good, but i think wood is much neater,
but if you want to make one that will outlast the metal in the truck, make the bed out of hedge, we use it for fence post here in kansas, you only have to replace them every 70-80 years, that is with no treatment