Steel Bed Floor?

[mbgmike]

Originally Posted by 66-PMD-GMC

I am also considering using 5/8ths plywood and coat it resin like someone posted here much earlier.
It would seem to be the easiest way of doing it.
My concern with this step in the build is making the truck heavier.
Each step I have taken with this particular build has been to consider weight and milage since this trucks main use will be over the road hauling.
Now if I could find an 8 lug rear that has 3.00-3.55 gears... my "3.42" deisel rear that I bought turned out to have 3.73 gears... darn the luck!

PONTIAC/

The later model 80's Ford steps had plywood instead of individual boards.

[kieth]

Originally Posted by 66-pmd-gmc

i am also considering using 5/8ths plywood and coat it resin like someone posted here much earlier.
It would seem to be the easiest way of doing it.
My concern with this step in the build is making the truck heavier.
Each step i have taken with this particular build has been to consider weight and milage since this trucks main use will be over the road hauling.
Now if i could find an 8 lug rear that has 3.00-3.55 gears... My "3.42" deisel rear that i bought turned out to have 3.73 gears... Darn the luck!

pontiac/

before you dive in on different gears, send me the spec's you have now. Engine, trans, rear axle ratio , and tire diameter from the ground to the top of the tire. Also send me your e mail address. I will send you a excell spreadsheet that will show all rear axle ratios and optional transmissions so you can see how the truck will perform before you make the change. It will help you decide which way to go......

[66-PMD-GMC]

All right..
after a little detective work I found out a few things.
The bed I have has a front and rear bed rail and one in the middle, sort of.
The PO of this bed told me he had no idea what year it was but it was on his 67 when he bought it.
Looks like it was converted from a wood floor to a steel at some time.
No bed rails are spot welded to anything and the floor looks like it never really had anything spot welded to it ever.
I'm going to wait and reset the cab on new cab mounts and then work on the bed. Probably 5/8ths ply under the sheet metal.
Getting a camera tomorrow and I'll photo the whole thing.

[66-PMD-GMC]

I found out some information that I would like to share.
If I use terms that are unfamiliar please understand that for the last 30+ years I have worked excursively on 55-79 Pontiac's.
60-62 bed support cross rails are not the same as any other years that I can find. The frames are completely different than 63-66 and 67-72.
63-66 and wood bed rails for 67-72 seem to be the same.
Steel bed floors for 67-72 body style do have the support rails welded to the floor.
In my case for the floor I bought, I am guessing that at some time the floor was replaced and for whatever reason the bed rails were not spot welded to the sheet metal. Another possibility is that the support rails just were poorly welded and they just fell off. At any rate they are missing.
Missing the cross rails for the steel floor, I tried using the rails I had and they don't fit because they are for the 60-62 beds so now I am rethinking everything.
I found the bed rails that are for the 63-72 wood floor beds and may just get them if I can't find a steel floor with the rails. I may just opt to build my own but I don't like flat plain metal nor do I like the diamond plate look. so...... I just don't know and sure would appreciate some advice.....

[Captainfab]

Something I thought of doing many years ago but didn't was to make up some formed steel 'planks' and bolt them together side by side. These would have to be made on a press brake or a sheet metal brake. They would be flat on the top and then would have 2-90* bends on each side to form a sort of 'C'. These would have a somewhat smooth surface but still resemble the wood floor. I don't know how cost effective it would be either......just an idea.

[67Monster]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

Something I thought of doing many years ago but didn't was to make up some formed steel 'planks' and bolt them together side by side. These would have to be made on a press brake or a sheet metal brake. They would be flat on the top and then would have 2-90* bends on each side to form a sort of 'C'. These would have a somewhat smooth surface but still resemble the wood floor. I don't know how cost effective it would be either......just an idea.

Coworker took his wood bed apart and did just that with diamond plate. Looks pretty nice, though I don't have a picture of it.

[62 short step]

Just find another 67-72 steel floor like i did, make sure the cross braces are still in tact and bolt it in.

[66-PMD-GMC]

I simply wanted to put a stock look, steel floor in my 66.
The plan was to do an all steel bed and then do a spray in bed liner wrapping the top edge of the bed to protect it from scratching.
The 66 is being built primarily to pull the 63 GMC and a 66 and 65 GTO.
I also take rust free Arizona sheet metal to Michigan for my son.
In all, my 66 will be worked.
I either need to find bed rails that will work with the steel floor I have and keep all the body lines right or buy another bed floor.
Live and learn.
I have until the last week of May to finish this truck.
What mods do I need to make to use a 73-80 bed floor? I have one of those and have thought of cutting it up if it will work.

[66-PMD-GMC]

Originally Posted by 66-PMD-GMC

What mods do I need to make to use a 73-80 bed floor? I have one of those and have thought of cutting it up if it will work.

Forget the 73-80 steel floor. That dog won"t hunt...

[bigkraus]

67-72 should be a near bolt in... there are a couple of welds in the back that have to be cut on both trucks. All the cross bracing comes out of the 60-66 because it is all welded to the floor.

73-87 have the same frame (32" on Center from late 50's to 87) and could work but there is one issue. Because of the gas filler necks in the bed on a 73-87 chevy truck the floor has a raised on one or both sides. the 67-72 is more of a drop in... and the floors on 67-72 are BOLTED in were 67-73 are Welded In.

to do a wood bed is $500-600, you can get a used metal floor for $100-200. If you want to splurge a brand new metal floor is $1200 from LMC. Pretty Pricy but may be worth it for the last floor your ever put in your truck.

I found a 72 chevy truck bed for $100 on Craigslist that was the perfect candidate. The bed was beat up, banged up and rusted... except for the floor...

[66-PMD-GMC]

Originally Posted by bigkraus

67-72 should be a near bolt in... All the cross bracing comes out of the 60-66 because it is all welded to the floor.

to do a wood bed is $500-600, you can get a used metal floor for $100-200.

I found a 72 chevy truck bed for $100 on Craigslist that was the perfect candidate. The bed was beat up, banged up and rusted... except for the floor...

60-62 frames are wider than 63-66 frames.
The bolt pattern is wider so to use a 67-72 bed floor on a 60-62 frame, holes will need to be drilled to bolt the bed down.

Other than cheap asian made garbage, a GOOD wood floor with hardware is going to cost $800-$1000.

I have bought my last 7 stock steel bed floors for $150 or less

[1963c-10]

[QUOTE=66-PMD-GMC;6053930]60-62 frames are wider than 63-66 frames.
The bolt pattern is wider so to use a 67-72 bed floor on a 60-62 frame, holes will need to be drilled to bolt the bed down.

Other than cheap asian made garbage, a GOOD wood floor with hardware is going to cost $800-$1000.

I have bought my last 7 stock steel bed floors for $150 or less"

**************************************************************************************************** **


Did mine w/local red oak, ss strips & bolts from Mar-K for less than $400

[AustinBelair]

So for a 66 SWB I can use an 82-87 bed with some minor work?

[Sick5]

Thanks for the info guys. I just picked up a steel floor. I'm going to try to place it in this weekend. I have a rear drop member so my floor will be raised..

[luvbowties]

Originally Posted by Sick5

Thanks for the info guys. I just picked up a steel floor. I'm going to try to place it in this weekend. I have a rear drop member so my floor will be raised..

Now, you've got my (our?) curiosity up...what kind of steel floor are u gonna install, a diamond-plate-type? or an original-type from a donor?
Sam

[Sick5]

Original donor 67-72. Long bed. First thing I see I have to do is remove my cross beam off. And use the ones on this steel bed. Trim rear corner of the floor. I really haven't looked at it. I do know I'm going to need some new wheel wells.

[66-PMD-GMC]

I'm getting the 67-72 bed floor swap down.
I've done a number of them they are 99 % bolt in.
A spacer in the front or fold the header panel bottom up 3/4" higher.
And two notches for clearance on the back support rail..
That's it for a fleetside conversion. .

[Jcox68rt]

Glad to see this thread resurrected, now I just need to find a steel bed from 72-87... Just found a 77 swb 2wd fleet side bed here locally for $100. Will this bed floor work? Or do I need a longbed floor?

[Captainfab]

That depends on whether you're putting it in a short or long bed.

Originally Posted by Jcox68rt

Glad to see this thread resurrected, now I just need to find a steel bed from 72-87... Just found a 77 swb 2wd fleet side bed here locally for $100. Will this bed floor work? Or do I need a longbed floor?

[Jcox68rt]

It will be going in my 63 SWB fleet side.

[Mikecc6]

If you use the 67-72 steel floor in a 64-66 fleetside, do you use the 67-72 wheel tubs or 64-66?

[Auctioneerhere]

Originally Posted by 66-PMD-GMC

I'm getting the 67-72 bed floor swap down.
I've done a number of them they are 99 % bolt in.
A spacer in the front or fold the header panel bottom up 3/4" higher.
And two notches for clearance on the back support rail..
That's it for a fleetside conversion. .

I just put a 70 GMC 8ft. steel floor on my 61 4x4 frame & it does not line up with any of the wood bed mounting holes.

I will have to add or adjust body mounts for the bed to bolt down properly.

[cwcarpenter98]

Originally Posted by Auctioneerhere

I just put a 70 GMC 8ft. steel floor on my 61 4x4 frame & it does not line up with any of the wood bed mounting holes.

I will have to add or adjust body mounts for the bed to bolt down properly.

It lines up with the 63-66 frames but not the 60-62 frames because of the difference in width of the two frames

[Brad54]

Hmmm... Diamond plate in the back of my '62 long-step 4x4 would be pretty easy, and probably a lot cheaper than a wood bed kit...

-Brad

[Budman56]

Hello guys I finally got around to doing my metal bed swap, so here is how it went started saturday morning and finished with the install sunday evening. it was pretty straight forward, I removed the old wood and slats then the sides tailgate and front header. after all that was done I started by putting the metal bed on the truck and then bolted the side and header on. once that was done i had to cut the front header 3/4" and rewelded it back to gether so it could be bolted to the bed.