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| | | | Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 22 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 22 | I have a '46 Chevy Panel that is going through a ground up resto/mod. There is no bed.
One of us wants to put a sheet metal floor in first, sound proof it with Dyno Mat and then sandwich wood strips over that.
I say go with wood floor only, and paint bottom with sound deadening paint or rhino shield it.
Is there a problem/advantage with doing either or something else we should really consider? What is wrong with putting a wood floor over a sheet metal one? | | | | | Joined: May 2004 Posts: 1,312 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2004 Posts: 1,312 | I'd guess that 3/4" wood is a better sound insulator than sheetmetal with dynamat. If you are planning on a thin wood veneer type finish then you would need the metal floor for strength. | | | | | Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 22 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 22 | Already have an oak floor for it - haven't installed it, trying to decide if it's worth putting in a metal floor first...One has the time, I just don't know if there is a reason not to. Thanks. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 | yes there is a reason not to, differential expansion/contraction of the different materials, you can't just have the wood floor 'float' on the metal like a faux-wood floor in a house, it needs to be firmly attached .... which leads to the certainty that sometime you'll see the effects of moisture/condensation between them, starting with rusting screws
Bill | | | | | Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,596 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,596 | I wouldn't be worried aobut the rust, but all hardware would need oval holes in the steel and loose enough that it could float. You're better off to just put your wood floor in without the metal underneath. | | | | | Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 22 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 22 | Thanks guys, we're skipping the metal floor idea..and sticking with the tried and true wood. Strangely I guess the engineers figured it long before what method works best. :-) | | | | | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,953 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,953 | Anyone thought of just a steel floor - no wood? I am not a keener on originality but like practicality and it would put some weight in the otherwise light end. | | | | | Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 433 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 433 | Back in the 60's when we used the 54 truck to haul oak fire wood we had a 1/4" steel plate for the bed, very durable and strong... It set on top of the existing wood bed... Gave the truck good traction in the snow and mud... Downside is it is heavy...
1954 Chevy 3104 3 Window Hydra-Matic in my family for over 60 Years
Once in a while you get shown the light in the strangest of places if you look at it right... "Scarlet Begonias" Grateful Dead 1974
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 14,522 Moderator: Welcome Centre, Southern Bolters, Legion Hall | | Moderator: Welcome Centre, Southern Bolters, Legion Hall Joined: Dec 2001 Posts: 14,522 | ....I've seen LOTS of steel beds in my lifetime. Had a steel bed in my '50 and hauled anything! Not original but durable as all get out. | | |
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