Plywood bed for working truck

[kens65fb]

I need to replace the rotted bed-wood in my short fleet box.

This truck will do some light hauling, and I don't want to install new bed-wood & strips.
I was thinking about treated 3/4 plywood, and maybe a rubber bed mat.

Has anyone installed plywood in their bed

Any Pics ??

[Clyde65]

I wouldn’t do the bed mat unless you take it out after use. They hold water under so...

Treated plywood is a good idea, you will need two 4x8 sheets.
3/4”

[vince1]

It should work. I guess you will have to put a 1" strip across the front. With tongue and groove, if you plan on using it, I can't remember if they do all 4 sides or just the long sides. I think just the long sides.

Edit: I just noticed you have short box so regular plywood is long enough. I'd still go with the tongue and groove to join in the middle.

[SkinnyG]

Pressure Treated might start to rust/dissolve the steel?

[AcampoDave]

I used exterior grade plywood. 2 sheets split down the middle with the the original strips refurbished and layed on top. I cinched it all down with carriage bolts thru the top and used washers and nylock nuts below. This job was done with 5/8" because it doesn't haul much heavy stuff. I have used 3/4 before too but it makes the strips stick up just a tiny bit above the rear cross sill, which is fine as long as you remeber that and don't go raking a sheet of drywall or similar vulnerable cargo over the raw edges. Also, for anyone thinking of doing a longbed truck, it will need 9 foot sheets which are availabe at real lumberyards.

[Lil Loafer]

For a temporary bed until I can get nice wood I used non treated plywood on mine and sealed it myself. It started to warp in less than a year, but other than that it is plenty strong enough and has held up for occasional hauling.

[PGSigns]

I use mine as a truck and haul all kinds of stuff. I have white oak in mine and the stainless bed strips. Works good. The bed strips make it easier to slide stuff in. I am getting ready to redo my old 66 C20 and we are using the southern yellow pine in that one. Was cheaper than the 2 sheets of Marine plywood we would have needed.
Jimmy

[verdell]

Plywood from Lowe’s. Took this pic right before I bolted it down.

[rcg66]

I used 2 sheets of regular 3/4" tongue & groove plywood in my longbed. I primered it, and then sprayed it with rattle can bedliner.
I relocated the gas tank in the bed, and found that regular exterior paint didn't like any gas splashing on it.
It has held up really well for over 5 years now.
I ran a bead of silicone down the seam in the middle just for peace of mind.
I don't drive it a lot in the weather, but I have hauled stuff in it and it is still in really good shape.
I do have the gap at the back that I didn't fill in with anything.

[Android04]

I did the same as above and then put the original strips back over top of it. Let me see if I can find a picture somewhere.

[LostMy65]

Originally Posted by AcampoDave

I used exterior grade plywood. 2 sheets split down the middle with the the original strips refurbished and layed on top. I cinched it all down with carriage bolts thru the top and used washers and nylock nuts below. This job was done with 5/8" because it doesn't haul much heavy stuff. I have used 3/4 before too but it makes the strips stick up just a tiny bit above the rear cross sill, which is fine as long as you remeber that and don't go raking a sheet of drywall or similar vulnerable cargo over the raw edges. Also, for anyone thinking of doing a longbed truck, it will need 9 foot sheets which are availabe at real lumberyards.

Do you remember how much 4x9x3/4 cost?

[AcampoDave]

Sorry, I don't remember. That was over a decade ago.