Bed-time

[FRANKENTRUCK]

I have decided not to do a wood kit in the back of my shortbed stepside to replace the rotted out wood. I will likely get a piece of diamond plate cut to the right size and shape. But I need to know from the experts the best way to install it. Is is flush with the sides of the truck bed without wood? Has anyone on here done this? I never have understood why I have never seen a metal bed shortbed stepside. Were they ALL wood?

 

[jake wells]

you can do that but zip 6 screws in to keep it from moving. but if you buy a piece of thick diamond plate either or painted you dont need those heavy screws.

sometimes you can get by with a piece of plywood for the time being.

 

[89Suburban]

That steel diamond plate will add some weight. 3/16" is about 9 LB a SF. That comes out to near 200 LB.

 

[Old77]

Won't the diamond plate be a bit slippery when wet, though?

 

[89Suburban]

Actually probably not as slippery as a regular bed steel floor. One truck I had I used steel walking grates like from a catwalk or drain. I got them from a jobsite we were doing demolition on. They were galvanized. Really cool mod, as long as you didn't take it into the mud or spill your tools, lol...

 

[Old77]

LOL yeah, I can see that being frustrating. haha

 

[89Suburban]

LOL yeah, I can see that being frustrating. haha

Yeah, the pros were you didn't have to sweep it out and had plenty of spots to hook a bungee cord or tie down.

This was that Dodge I showed you that had the wooden flatbed.

 

[87sierra]

ya the only trucks i have seen had wood floors i had an 8ft stepside bed which are hard to find parts for so i sold and put a fleetside on it
wish i would have kept the stepside it made the truck look older

 

[Old77]

ya the only trucks i have seen had wood floors i had an 8ft stepside bed which are hard to find parts for so i sold and put a fleetside on it
wish i would have kept the stepside it made the truck look older

a long bed stepside would have been cool just simply for rarity!! That'd be awesome!

 

[bucket]

All the stepsides had wood floors.

You can still do a wood bed floor and save a bunch of money. Somebody has redone mine in the past, it's just basic wood planks (with the edges notched though), steel strips and machine screws.

 

[FRANKENTRUCK]

That steel diamond plate will add some weight. 3/16" is about 9 LB a SF. That comes out to near 200 LB.

I am buying aluminum diamond plate, so it is not that heavy. I once replaced the rusted-out floor of a 86 Chevy van using aluminum diamond plate cut to my specifics. It worked very well too.