Bed Wood 96 or 97 inches

[jeffahart]

I am planning on buying some lumber to replace bed wood. Will be milling myself to save bucks. Was looking at specs and dimensions on GMC pauls site. He says length of 97" for long fleetside. Seems like I would have to waste a lot of lumber for that extra inch if I cannot go with 8 footers.

Can I get away with 96" which is 8' in lieu of 97".


Thanks,
jeff

[cdowns]

sure just hack and wack away on the bedsides till the wood fits// after all they take 8foot beds and make them 6footbeds

[jeffahart]

Originally Posted by cdowns

sure just hack and wack away on the bedsides till the wood fits// after all they take 8foot beds and make them 6footbeds

Wow!

[MistaGavin]

I think he's trying to ask what the correct length for bed wood is. If it is 96" he can use 8 footers, but if it is 97" he will have to get much more expensive wood because it will be at least a couple feet longer per board.

Jeff I'm not sure of the answer, but hopefully someone will chime in.

[SS Tim]

Have you actually measured your bed? The factory specification for inside floor length is 98" on an "8ft" bed be it fleetside or stepside. Considering how it it mounted and retained the 97" dimension commonly given is correct and irreducible. You need that inch to engage the front angle and the rear sill. Here is are pictures of a factory replacement wood set and it measures 97". Might want to run the numbers and see if you really are going to "save" over buying a drop-in kit.

[SS Tim]

Might want to check out Wes' site as well. The dimensions there are posted as 97" too.

http://www.classicheartbeat.com/bed_wood.htm

[jeffahart]

Ya, I measured existing bed wood at 97". And I guess anything less than that is going to be way too short. It's got a good 1/4' gap front and rear already. Was hoping someone would say they used 8ft nominal and it worked fine. But guess I will have to waste some lumber no matter what I choose. Else buy a pre cut kit. Which is not that bad of a price; the shipping cost really puts the total price over the top for a simple wood bed.

j

[WadmalawJoe]

I'm in the middle of doing mine. They are 97" long. If you buy from a contractors type lumberyard you should be fine. Mine ran from 97-98 1/2. At Lowes they are 96" exact.
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[SS Tim]

There are a number of "real" lumber yards that should have what you need. Mayan Hardwood over in Ventura might just do it for you. www.mayanhardwood.com Reel Lumber is another good source. www.reellumber.com

Also if a road trip vs shipping appeals to you a ride down to Classic in Huntington beach or Brother's over in Corona would be an alternative and a chance to "shop". The showrooms are always fun/expensive. Just make sure they actually stock the kit you want, and not normally drop ship it.

[jeffahart]

That's a good idea. I'll work the phones tomorrow to see what they say. The project truck is my only truck right now. And I'm close to Ventura. But I have a Stock lumber up the street.

Funny, I was at the Truck and Car Shop yesterday because I happend to be in Orange and I wanted to see the place. I bought a couple small items and a dash pad for $49. I was looking at the stack of bed wood(oak) they had by the door. But I was driving my car. Probably would not have bought it anyway even if I was in a truck. Not that I'm cheep but I have it in my head the bed is where I can save some money for a change.

The metal strips are in pretty good shape for painting, so I'm hoping wood and bolts under $150.

[Daddy Brim]

You probable will want to get kiln dried wood also.

[WadmalawJoe]

$150 will be tough. I spent close to $100 just on nuts, bolts and washers. I used galvanized.
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[CC69Rat]

$157 for mine at the local yard.. Northern Red Oak (not as 'red' as Southern I guess due to the red dirt in the South?) . Cut it myself per GMCPauls specs. No stain, just Minwax SPAR varnish. Turned out really good IMO.

[jeffahart]

Originally Posted by CC69Rat

$157 for mine at the local yard.. Northern Red Oak (not as 'red' as Southern I guess due to the red dirt in the South?) . Cut it myself per GMCPauls specs. No stain, just Minwax SPAR varnish. Turned out really good IMO.

Turned out really good in my opinion too. Looks like I may be able to do for a little over $200 including bolts.

Very nice

[jeffahart]

Thanks for that note.

What I was hoping is once I get the wood installed and cinched down it won't move too much. What do you think?
Now I'm wonder'in bout lumber less than $1 a foot. I love doing thing myself and saving... but hate when it looks like I did it myself.. and on the cheep. I take pride in my work so I may have pay for good lumber.
I will ask lumber yard also. Want to save money but don't want big humps from cupping either.