Pickup Bed

[Granny]

I am wanting to put a plywood floor in my pickup and have a couple of questions.
What ply would be best used?
Do you have to have a gap all way around it for expansion if so how much?
Granny

 

[rawlir]

Are you using skid strips? What year of pickup?

 

[Model51]

Granny,
The best match to the original floorboard material for your pickup is somewhat dependent upon what year pickup you have. Also, if your pickup was assembled in Australia, then it's going to be a product that was locally available at the time your pickup was produce. So share which year and version of pickup you are working on.

 

[Joe B.]

If you want durability, I would use exterior grade underlayment plywood like in the link. It has thick plies, not a super thin veneer surface that won't last.https://www.lowes.com/pd/Plytanium-...-Plywood-Pine-Application-as-4-x-8/1000068939

 

[Karl Wescott]

IMHO a solid piece of plywood is asking for trouble. It will be difficult to keep moisture out of the plywood unless the truck is inside 100%. The original design of planks separated by the rub strip bolts allowed air to circulate on the sides of the planks which I believed slowed the rotting process. Humble belief from wet western Oregon.

 

[Kube]

IMHO a solid piece of plywood is asking for trouble. It will be difficult to keep moisture out of the plywood unless the truck is inside 100%. The original design of planks separated by the rub strip bolts allowed air to circulate on the sides of the planks which I believed slowed the rotting process. Humble belief from wet western Oregon.

Without question....spot on advice. I'd use white oak, KILN DRIED!

 

[19Fordy]

Granny: Plywood will hold moisture warp and rot and look terrible in a short amount of time. Use "Kube's" suggestion.
LOOK HERE: https://www.bing.com/search?q=how+t...dIBCTI3NzQ1ajBqNKgCCLACAQ&FORM=ANAB01&PC=HCTS

 

[Krylon32]

I did a solid floor in a couple 32 boxes I built from scratch and used a sheet of kiln dried
clear some kind of plywood that had a marine designation. Sold the trucks without the box ever getting wet so I have no feedback.

 

[petehoovie]

Granny: Plywood will hold moisture warp and rot and look terrible in a short amount of time. Use "Kube's" suggestion.
LOOK HERE: https://www.bing.com/search?q=how+t...dIBCTI3NzQ1ajBqNKgCCLACAQ&FORM=ANAB01&PC=HCTS

 

[Kube]

Or like Ford did it...

 

[terry]

Or like Ford did it...

This is how it was done on my 48 Ford pickup. Metal entirely covered the top of the wood.
terry

 

[Krylon32]

My daily driver deuce pickup still has the steel over wood floor and other than normal wear and tear the floor is as solid and looks as good as when it was originally made.

 

[Granny]

the pickup I am working on is a 1938 Aussie built Ford

 

[Bob NH]

Picture that Kube shows is about what my 35's had, maple under the steel pan

 

[Granny]

Would marine plywood work in place normal plywood

 

[s.e.charles]

yes; more better too.

but if you're serious about plywood in any configuration, seal the edges (marine or not).

 

[ronn]

pressure treated- but only if stored inside.

 

[GB SISSON]

pressure treated- but only if stored inside.

Are you referring to pressure treated lumber or pressure treated plywood?

 

[New2restoring]

Marine plywood AA rated, then treated as well