Best Wood to Use?

[Bouncy B]

I'm getting ready to do the bed of Bouncy B (B1B). I realize this is going to be the most expensive part on my $500 truck but would like to save what money I can. What have you guys used? Oak, Ash, Pine?

Any suggestions would be appreciated!

Thanks,

Richard

[PatS....]

Will it be a show truck or are you going to haul once in a while? Lumber prices vary widely, but I would look at Fir if it will be a hauler. Quite hard and not exotic so priced reasonably enough.

[Norm's Coupe]

I agree with Pat. Fir is the strongest wood. However, if you are going for show, I like the pine the best. Has better grain and knots in it. Put a nice clear sealer on it and it really makes the grain and knots stand tall. If you do use the pine though, seal it all the way around the boards before installing, then another coat on top after installing.

[Reg Evans]

If you're not going for show do like I did.

A good grade of 3/4" plywood painted black,like the oak was painted, with the metal bed strips bolted to that.

Only the purists will know.

I'll post a photo after I'm done. It's dark brown right now and I haven't installed the strips.

[Bouncy B]

Thanks for the help. It is definitely not going to be a show truck. It's a "Hey, look at that neat old truck" truck. I painted it with a roller and Rustoleum (which turned out really well!) so we are not going for show quality. We're going for "I did it myself and I did it really cheap!" I kinda like the plywood idea but will check into the fir. How would the plywood hold up to moisture?

[Reg Evans]

Mine has for almost 10 years now. I did paint it with oil based enamel paint. You can see by this photo why I opted for the plywood. Mine is still "Job Rated"

[PatS....]

Thanks for the help. It is definitely not going to be a show truck. It's a "Hey, look at that neat old truck" truck. I painted it with a roller and Rustoleum (which turned out really well!) so we are not going for show quality. We're going for "I did it myself and I did it really cheap!" I kinda like the plywood idea but will check into the fir. How would the plywood hold up to moisture?

If you go the plywood route, there is marine grade plywood available. It uses different glue to stand up outside better.

Don't forget to paint or stain or seal both sides, otherwise the painted side will peel after a while.

The only reason I wouldn't use plywood is that if you get a gouge or scrape, it will show the next ply, with grain going the other way. If you use solid wood, you can sand, reseal and it's repaired.

If going the solid route, I would groove the sides with a router and install splines to keep the boards level to each other and prevent road moisture from getting in from underneath. Similar to tongue and groove, the spline acting as the tongue. Renting a surface planer to ensure the boards are flat and uniform thickness wouldn't hurt, as well as a jointer to ensure the sides are a good fit.

[Young Ed]

The original construction method didn't have any of the boards touching. Mine has 1/4 to 1/2 inch gap betweem them and that is covered up by the metal strips. I would think reg pine would do the job unless you plan to haul lots. I've got white oak and the heaviest thing I've hauled is a backpack with some clothes and a lawn chair!

[Mario Loya B1B]

the PO of my truck went with red oak. Looks real nice but unfortunately I need to borrow a truck to haul anything.

[Merle Coggins]

Mario,

You could always lay down a rubber mat if you need to haul anything.

It is a very nice looking bed. I'd hate to scratch it too.

[Mario Loya B1B]

That's true, Merle. But the bed sides look real nice too. One of these days I am going to stop babying it and haul a bunch of rocks.

[Todd B]

On my 49 I restored in 1980 we put red oak boards & running boards on with a polyurathane finish. My son tore the truck down to rebuild in 2005 and the boards are as solid as can be. I used the truck to haul whatever needed to be hauled and they held up. I agree with the others about finishing all 6 sides of the board. Not sure of your area prices, but I would highly recommend white or red oak over pine or fir anyday. I would be concerned of breaking through with a soft wood. You can also go the "treated" plywood route. I have treated 3/4" plywood on a 8' x 17' flat bed trailer we use every day as a work table on construction sites, its 5 years old and still looks new.

My carpenters point of veiw.

Todd B