wood bed

[78D200]

Who here has built a wood bed for thier truck, any truck? I'm leaning towards it on my 78 dodge (the bed is all rotted metal and bondo from the PO) and wanted some input about what to look out for, what lumber to use, what size lumber, etc.

I am thinking about using 4x4s for the frame and the mounting surface to the frame. as for the bed, i am thinking 2x8 or 2x10 and built about 1' tall sides all the way around with the rear section being removeable. As for lights, I'll just get some universal lights from the local parts store.

[Commando]

Is the whole bed bad, or are the sides good?

My dad had a 1929 Model A Pickup with a wood floor, but had metal sides, not sure if he rebuilt it or if thats the way it came.

One thing I would consider for this projects is what it is going to look like from the outside, as most of the detail would go to the inside in making it usable.

Are you planning on using regular framing lumber or a hard wood?

[78D200]

the sides are junk and the frame of the bed is beginning to to rot out. i'll be using either hard wood or metal for the frame and presure treated for the deck and sides.

[Commando]

If I were to do this project, I would probably use metal for the frame, as it would be less bulky, and you could show the wood off.

[Mopar Guy in Delaware]

I like oak for the floor. Or maybe ash.

[Commando]

Oak would look good with that green, depending on your stain.

I would really like to see how it turns out.

[78D200]

i'll be posting pics as i go through it. righ tnow i'm just trying to get ideas from everyone and then pricing it all out. hopefully i will be able to do it by the end of may or june.

[dietz_diggler]

How did this ever turn out??

[78D200]

It has been one the back burner for the time being. I've got to fix a coolant leak first and finish up the instrument cluster, radio and speakers first and get it back up and running. As long as I can get all that done by/during winter, I should be able to tackle the bed during the winter/spring months.

[Commando]

78D200, a friend of mine made a wood bed for his pickup, I think he said it was a 7' x 7' and has removable sides, it looks real nice. Not sure when I will get another chance to take a pic but I figured I'd let you know.

He said he has moved a lot of hot tubs with it as well, so that may be something to look out for, new friends, not just because its a pickup but because you can move their tubs for them.

[78D200]

Commando, if you can get me some pics of how it is attached to the frame, the frame of the bed, and the bed itself, THAT WOULD BE GREAT! I plan on having removable sides, including the side against the cab, and figured it would be about 8.5" long and about 5' to 5'6" wide.

[Commando]

Will do, I see him all the time, but only see the truck when I am at his house. Minimum I will ask him today.

[Commando]

I talked with him today, and he said he just bolted his to the frame, used long bolts. If you want me to ask anything in particular let me know.

[78D200]

thats how I was going to bolt mine to the frame as well. I don't have any questions right now. I might once I see the pics though.

[challenger]

78 have you considered teak wood for the bed and oak for the sides , the teak might be a little soft but would look good with a lightly dark urathane and maybe fasten it down with some 2" bar strap in front and back like we do with the bigger trucks ill look around and see if i can come up with any details/pics for you

[78D200]

that would look slick for a show truck, BUT, i will be using this as a work truck/daily driver/tow truck for my jeep and various other things. I'd like to biuld the bed for strength before beauty.

[dietz_diggler]

Have you thought about using hinges on the sides of the bed? i know you said you wanted removable sides, I got the idea from a new tool cart they got at work. the sides fold down, and if you were to do it like my kitchen table, when the sides are folded up, a piece of wood slides under them holding them up, so mixing the two ideas you could fold them down out of the way, or if needed slide out runners to hold them level, creating a wider bed. ehhhh just an idea that crossed my mind.
Dietz

[78D200]

Originally Posted by dietz_diggler

Have you thought about using hinges on the sides of the bed? i know you said you wanted removable sides, I got the idea from a new tool cart they got at work. the sides fold down, and if you were to do it like my kitchen table, when the sides are folded up, a piece of wood slides under them holding them up, so mixing the two ideas you could fold them down out of the way, or if needed slide out runners to hold them level, creating a wider bed. ehhhh just an idea that crossed my mind.
Dietz

That is a good idea. My plan is though to have the bed itself cover the wheels. In NH if the bed doesn't cover the wheels/tires, then you have to have fenders over the wheels. This way here I get a HUGE bed that is the width of the truck and all I have to do is install mudflaps behind the tires.

I like the fold down idea though. I might see how to incorparate that somehow.

[challenger]

Hey 78 we built a bed about 15 yrs ago on a hauller truck and we used 2x3x1/4 angle for the rim and put 1" oak under the rim and that way also if you want you can weld on strap mounts to the steel and also put in some pockets for the sides you can either make out of wood or steel channel,, you can also put 45degrees on the corners about 10" long so you can put marker lights on 4 corners and you said about rear lights as we need seven lights on the rear here in Michigan so we usually get the ones with the two red lights and in the middle we put the three way marker lights in the middle in the angle to protect them and as i stated earlier you can just use 2x2 barstrap to hold it all down and it will last a life time they also have 2" round rev: lights that you can mount on both sides of the red marker lights and they look cool being small hope any of this helps you out

[Commando]

I took a look this morning in the rain at my friend's truck bed, and it looks like there are 2 or 3 2"x6"s or 4"x6"s that run side to side bolted to the frame, and then he has the boards that the floor is attached to run from the cab to the gate. Since bumpers are required by law he has his lights attached to the top of his metal bumper. I forgot my camera and that's is why I am not specific, as I can't verify what I saw 17 hours ago. Hope this helps.

[78D200]

Thats about what I figured I would do as well. Thanks commando!

Thing is I might be getting rid of it though since Heather and I are buying a house and talking about starting a family so I need to thin out the herd. I was given permission to buy a newer 4x4 that could also tow the j10 so I've got some thinking to do about where I'm going with this.

[Commando]

I read your other ad last night, thought you may have been talking about this one. Good Luck.