The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Making a Stovebolt Bed 35 Chevy Fire Truck 1 1/2 PU Bed

My 1 1/2 pu bed was shot when I picked her up. She had been converted into a Fire Truck and since '37, the tank etc., has never been off. Soooo, I need new wood. The metal strips will be fine and new fastners shouldn't be a problem.
QUESTION..it appears the bed has never been modified, therefore, does anyone have a materials list for the replacement wood?

The wood will be the same configuration as the 1/2 ton pickup only longer. If you have the 1.5 ton Chevrolet Open Express body there are 7 boards evenly spaced across the bed with two outboard boards being about 2/3 the width of the center boards . The metal wear strips are the same as the 1/2 ton only longer. All the carriage bolts go throught the wear iron strips and go between the boards The edges of the boards are routed to a depth that just keeps the wear iron just proud of the wood top surface. The gap between boards is just enough to clear the bolt diameter.

John Boy, I'm confused (which is not unusual) but do you have a fire truck or a pickup?

I have a Fire Truck. I could give you the long version....BUT, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (in those days it was know as the Division) purchased a '35 1 1/2 ton PU and added a Viking midship pump and the PTO off the 4 speed,a 300 gal water tank plus storage boxes in the bed that allowed 4 fire fighters to ride back there with fire fighting gear. It had one red light and siren.

By the way. Where does one go for the wood. Any recommendations :confused:

Chevrolet called the 1.5 ton pickup an Open Express truck. Any mill with a Dado blade or even a router with a bit will be easy to step notch each edge Plane the boards to the correct thickness after cutting to size then cut the steps for the wear iron. Pretty easy job for most wood workers. You also might want to contact Mar-K as they and Jim Rodman and KC Wood also have the 1/2 ton wood and could probably make the longer lenghts needed for your truck.

John Boy.. try Gallagher lumber in Azusa CA
ask Ray

You wouldn't have a phone number Thanks for the info.