Wood bed in place of metal?

[NONHOG]

Is there anyone who's swapped out a metal floor for wood in a full size bed in a square body?
A buddy with a 73 was over the other day and was thinking how to repair his rusty bed with as little cutting/welding/grinding as possible.

[tucsonjwt]

Just a thought, why not get another entire bed from another truck? I think this would be cheaper in the short run. My bed is rust free but has big dents in the floor from hauling/dumping big rocks/boulders, so I am considering putting a wood floor over the top.

[NONHOG]

Good point! Problem is finding rust free up in the PNW is not always easy or cheap.

[tucsonjwt]

So, I would look for a southwest roller with no rust sheet metal, have it shipped to your neighborhood, take off the bed, sell the remaining parts to recover most of the cost. Search CL for southwest cities, like Phoenix, and you will find many examples. Or, just buy a good truck and save/swap/sell what you can from the current truck. Either way, if you want a solid body that is the way to go. Expect the interior and all plastic/rubber to be rotted from the sun, but the sheet metal should be good.

[72lb4x4]

I did some research and actually bought cross sills. They are leaning against the wall in my storage place. I had to move them out of the master bedroom last year.

Here's a start on a parts list. The cost adds up quick.

Cross sills (I think I have 6 of various sizes)
Wood
Bed strips/sliders
Bulkhead or new angle to modify the existing bulkhead.

I just noticed you're discussing 73 and up. Mine's a 72 but no doubt the conversion is similar.