55-59 Diamond Plate Bed?

[dyno]

I'm considering doing a steel diamond plate bed in my 58 GMC 4x4 short step-side. This truck is going to get some use and I don't want to have to worry about a nice wood bed. I'm going to shoot a good bed liner inside the whole bed if I go this route.

Any thoughts, pics?

[Tomb23]

Friend of mine Used TREX DECKING BOARDS in his bed & loves it.

[dyno]

Have laid a lot of Trex over the years...personally, I hate the stuff.

[Tomb23]

Was going to do in mine BUT little spendy also!

[klutz51]

That has been my plan from the start of my build. I saw a truck this weekend at a show and it totally confirmed it for me, loved how it looked. The place i get my metal told me a 1/8" 8x10 sheet for $200 and he would cut it to any size i want free.

[69chevytrucker]

see now that is what i was thinkin on doing i have a 69 and couldnt decide what to do wood composite etc and yesterday a thought i would put plywood down and then get strips of diamond plate cut to the right widths and then i could still use my bed strips painted body color and i think that would look cool

[klutz51]

I am not going to cut strips but grooves for the bed strips and keep it all one piece. That way i can do it outside the bed after making all the mounts.

[Kabwe]

[69chevytrucker]

Originally Posted by Kabwe

ya im sold now that looks great

[dyno]

The aluminum plate looks awesome when new, but quickly oxidizes and gets scuffed up if exposed to much use and the elements. For my application, Im leaning towards .125 steel diamond plate, with a nice coat of professional rubberized bedliner. Just thinking ahead on how to fasten it to the sills. I dont see any fasteners on that aluminum one.

[62lwbc10]

I have aluminum diamondplate in my bed too,on top of a piece of plywood. Looks pretty cool, but yes it does oxidize and its not that easy to get it to shine again. be sure to put some rubber or somethign under it or it will rattle

[Kabwe]

If you like that aluminum plate look you could always clear coat.

[Trekster]

I am going to use steel diamond plate for the floor of my 1/2 ton to replace the plywood that has been in there for the last 25 years.