OldIHC

Removing the bed metal bottom to replace it with wood. Not sure which hardwood yet. Plasma cut the center sections and now drilling out the spot welds holding the rest, the sides will be the toughest as there are a lot of welds. The two center cross members were not even connected to the side of the bed, they missed on every spot weld. So much for quality inspections back in 56.

The "quality control" was almost nonexistent on the earlier trucks. I like the wood floor plan.

Thanks for the pictures, this will probably be my Winter project so this gives me some insight into what I will be in for.

I will also be watching this closely, especially more photographs. The metal bottom on the bed of my AL-110 has seen many better days and a wooden bottom may well be the better option. Please show your progress.

Wood I used for my truck bed:
Ship lap apitong hardwood.

The stuff is a very dense grain and harder than oak planking.
http://www.woodsunlimited.com/faq.html


The tail gate rail is the natural color. I green washed the bed flooring. But you get the idea and appearance..

Thanks for posting the picture. Looks good!
About how much is this wood going for? I didn't see any prices on the web site.

Googled it and got Trailerdecking.com for pricing and info

Apitong, Keruing Shiplap Trailer Deck Boards

Find product details below for Keruing, Genuine Apitong Shiplap 5/4x6 Trailer Decking, 1-1/8" x 5" Face, Deck Boards from TrailerDecking.com.

How much will it cost?

Please enter the lineal footage required and your shipping address zip code. Length options are also available - it costs more to ship long lengths. Our shipping calculator will provide an LTL shipping cost for up to 20,000 pounds. You can also will call at our warehouses in Portland, OR or Memphis, TN.

Available Lengths by Zip Code

Apitong is the wood they use on typical tractor trailer flatbeds. It is very dense, strong and durable. It also doesn't need a finish coat of paint or sealer, it is naturally moisture resistant. I buy it for work when we redo trailers. We buy 1-1/8" thick by 7" wide, ship lap planks for around $6/LF.

The Apitong wood takes a nice finish
green paint wash with a rag , and then buffed with steel wool
with a satin top coat is how I did mine , came out with a
patina bled thur to the natural wood color.


If I get a chance to do another bed floor I'll test some colors
brown washed for instance, would be a great truck bed look
matching Apitong step fitted to the bumper like this


apitong bumper step capped with aluminum diamond plate and a pretty up skirt shot.

I’m not going to be the normal on this. Looking at doing the wood bed in either Tiger Maple or Zebra wood. Been my favorite since I seen it done on another truck. Not cheap I know already.