Dimensions for Bed Wood?

[Knothead]

I have some rough lumber & contemplating making my own. The cross sill bolt holes are spaced @ 4'' , 5'' , & 7'' for a total of eight boards & seven strips.This is a short bed.

[bretcopsey]

click here:

http://www.gmcpauls.com/47-72_BedWood_Info.htm

[Knothead]

Perfect , Lots of good info ,Thanks

[blackdiesel]

Dont be afraid to get creative. Here is the bed i just put in my '57. it is 3/4 inch cherry, 1/4 walnut, 3/4 inch ash, 1/4 inch walnut, repeat. Notice all the boards are the same width, i think it looks better this way. also it is a strip short... i had to delete one because of where the gas filler cap came through the floor. Sorry for the water spots, it was just washed. With no time to detail it.

[Knothead]

That's way cool,I like to see custom ideas. Now I some more options?

[Knothead]

Blackdiesel ,How did you secure strips to form each board?

[blackdiesel]

We also have a full custom cabnet shop. My dad used to be vocational instructor. As far as the wood goes, i planed the ash and cherry to 3/4", then resawed the walnut to 1/4". Then i ripped strips to 1 1/8". Then i turn all of them on their edges and used a good weather/water proof glue, i glued all of the peices together. Then planed each board down to 3/4" and cut the correct grooves for the stainless strips to hold the wood down. Then sprayed them with an automotive clearcoat on all sides.

It took 3 times as much wood, and approx 10 man hours. But i wanted something different.

[Knothead]

Yea ,It looks time consuming,but the outcome is well worth it,Great job!