Steel Bed Floor?

[sailed2japan]

Has anyone ever put a truck together with a bed and used a steel floor? How did you or would you build the floor? I was thinking about doing this and using a 73-87 bed floor.

[61TWUK]

Mine has a steel floor... but its not out of another truck... its just two sheets of steel.

[markeb01]

I used diamond plate aluminum for mine, although there have been times I wished I'd used steel diamond plate instead just to increase the weight on the back half of the truck.

To build the floor I used a piece of 3/4" marine plywood the same width as the floor, then split it down the middle so I could slip it under the angle rails on the sides, leaving a joint down the middle. Before installation I coated the wood on all sides with fiberglass resin (no cloth just resin) to completely seal the wood. I then rested 48" wide diamond plate on top and bolted it in place. I didn't have any way to get it under the angle rails, so it's centered and just touching the edges of the rails.

For 10 years I had a Gaylord bed cover installed so nobody could see it anyway. It's certainly not show worthy, but for a working truck it's easy and looks nice. The only pictures I have are very poor quality but show how it looks.




I've crawled under and looked at it and other than having 10 years of road dirt on it, the wood looks good as new with no deterioration.

[mbgmike]

You can use the floor out of later trucks. I do remember that they can be used their is a little problem but they do work. I will try and remember

[sailed2japan]

I guess I should have mentioned that I'll be doing it in a lwb fleet side. That diamond plate bed looks awesome, but the reason I was thinking of doing a steel floor was to be able to have it rhino lined and use it for some light work duties.

[Captainfab]

With some checking and measuring that I've done, the steel floors from the '67-'72's would be a nearly perfect fit into a '63-'66 bed. I have yet to do one but this is what I would suggest.

[LostMy65]

Originally Posted by markeb01

I used diamond plate aluminum for mine, although there have been times I wished I'd used steel diamond plate instead just to increase the weight on the back half of the truck.

To build the floor I used a piece of 3/4" marine plywood the same width as the floor, then split it down the middle so I could slip it under the angle rails on the sides, leaving a joint down the middle. Before installation I coated the wood on all sides with fiberglass resin (no cloth just resin) to completely seal the wood. I then rested 48" wide diamond plate on top and bolted it in place. I didn't have any way to get it under the angle rails, so it's centered and just touching the edges of the rails.

For 10 years I had a Gaylord bed cover installed so nobody could see it anyway. It's certainly not show worthy, but for a working truck it's easy and looks nice. The only pictures I have are very poor quality but show how it looks.




I've crawled under and looked at it and other than having 10 years of road dirt on it, the wood looks good as new with no deterioration.

.
Somebody did Steel Diamond Plate in mine.

[LILRED66]

TX:

Here are a few photos of a '64 GMC lwb fleetside truck with a steel diamond plate bed, done by the previous owner. It is not show-quality, but super durable.

I like your idea of a factory steel bed floor, as a donor. I think, if done correctly, would look nice.

[ob1monkey]

I used a 70 lwb fleetside bed floor in my 66 the only thing I found was a spacer about 3/4 inch is needed at the front panel/ or you could move the lip up to accomidate. I will try to post some pics tonight.

[62 short step]

Yes pics would be good! This is what i've been wanting to do.

[Clyde65]

put the wood in it! Rhyno line the sides, front and tailgate. then when you need to haul something, roll out your trusty bed mat. this is what I do, the bed mat doesnt stay in the bed, I like my wood and this has kept it nice for years.

[ob1monkey]

this one shows the body lines after the steel floor

[ChopperDr]

That floor looks like it was made to go in there. I need to find one for mine.

[ob1monkey]

surprisingly no it lined up fine. I did however have to slightly drill out the holes in the frame. But that may be due to the hitch I welded in the frame.

[hill64step]

If you're looking into spray in liners go with Line-X. It may cost a little more than Rhino, but I promise you it's worth it.

[62 short step]

From the pic the body lines look good, did you have to ajust the bed to get them right?

[62 short step]

Cool! I've been looking for awhile but had no luck finding one, yet.

[ob1monkey]

I got mine off craigslist and then just hoped it was going to fit. I had a lead on a 73-87 bed but thought the 67-722 would line up better due to the frames being almost identical. .

[sailed2japan]

Awesome info guys thanks for the input.

ob1monkey: Can yopu take some close ups of the spacer to show where and how itwas installed?

[LeftCoast32]

I also have a 67-72 Long Fleet Floor that is going in my '66 Long Fleet Bed. I will take pictures when we are assembling it.

[94tx]

I did not install it, but if I remember correctly the PO said it was out a 73-87 truck, looks like it lined up perfectly. I would get better pics but my truck is back at the parents while I'm at school.

[63whoopie]

I am interested in putting in a steel floor in my shortbed stepside.... figured I would have to get a bed floor and cut it down. Just found a listing on Craiglsist for a "70's 80's stepside bed for sale or trade" for $85. Is it possible to just switch the fenders and run that bed? (it will have metal floors, right?) I won't buy it just for the floor; poor college kid.

[lakeroadster]

Originally Posted by 63whoopie

I am interested in putting in a steel floor in my shortbed stepside.... figured I would have to get a bed floor and cut it down. Just found a listing on Craiglsist for a "70's 80's stepside bed for sale or trade" for $85. Is it possible to just switch the fenders and run that bed? (it will have metal floors, right?) I won't buy it just for the floor; poor college kid.

Yes and No

Yes... you can swap out the fenders but you also need to swap out the correct steps also as they match the fender style,

No.... I think all step-sides in the era you mention had wood floors.

My '65 had a '67-72 bed when I bought it and it had a wood floor. I put 58-66 fenders and steps on it.

[ob1monkey]

It goes under the steel floor between the lip on the front panel and floor pics would be very dificult to see from underneth. it's to make up for were the wood should be.

[tc187211]

I just ran across this thread, I am looking to do steel in my 78 stepside, i called my local steel recycler and they will custom cut a piece of floor plate steel for $84.95. In 1/8" thick weights 167lbs. This is the diamond plate design. Anyone know if this will be thick enough? The guy said 1/4" would be 305lbs and way more then needed but he said to check around? This seemed to be the easiest way to get it made to fit perfect.