The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Making a Stovebolt Bed Bed wood thickness

Is thickness of wood critical in replacement boards for the bed ? I am building back a 3 ton 51 gmc and the bed needs all new wood. I could go with the standard pine 2x8's or I have some 1" thick cherry. I dont plan on really hauling tons of weight on it, my other truck can do those jobs.

Any thoughts ? I appreciate it

Troy

for a DIY flat deck the boards can be what ever you have, 1" would work, cross sills can be added to strengthen it for thinner boards

Bill

Thanks alot for the suggestions here.... That is good to know, that I can use whatever will work

Also, CASO, that is a great chart there.

Thanks for sharing.

Troy

I don't think the thickness of the wood is critical , but I do think it would be sensible to carefully consider the use you plan to put it to , then add some for the unplanned events

The decking on my pickup is 28mm , because that is what I was able to achieve. It is a Malaysian hardwood , because that is what was available. Oiled up it looks fabulous and is durable enough to see the trucks life out too , I think.

Thanks Dusty, I agree with your thoughts totally.... I bet the wood in your truck bed looks awesome

What's the front to back spacing for the supports under the bed? On my 46 there are 4 supports one on each end and two in the middle. If your's is a flat bed and greater spans the thicker material will be better. Try a few pieces on a pair of saw horses placed at the support distance you have and see how it flexes. Fyi Pine is soft wood cheery is harder but not real hard.

There are 10 supports/cross members including the front and back.
It has plenty of support back there... Too, I dont plan on hauling too much weight back there as I have another truck for that

Thanks for advice.

Troy

On some flatbed models the bedwood needs to "tuck" inside the side steel frame or front steel frame work, which would require you to mill the difference in height.