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Old 06-25-2025, 08:47 PM   #1
Granny
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Default Pickup Bed

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?
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Old 06-25-2025, 08:50 PM   #2
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Default Re: Pickup Bed

Are you using skid strips? What year of pickup?
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Old 06-25-2025, 08:51 PM   #3
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Default Re: Pickup Bed

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.
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Old 06-25-2025, 09:22 PM   #4
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Default Re: Pickup Bed

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-2...x-8/1000068939
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Old 06-25-2025, 11:13 PM   #5
Karl Wescott
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Default Re: Pickup Bed

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.
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Old 06-26-2025, 08:30 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Karl Wescott View Post
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!
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Old 06-26-2025, 09:38 AM   #7
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Default Re: Pickup Bed

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+to...ANAB01&PC=HCTS
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File Type: jpg IMG_0156.jpg (110.8 KB, 240 views)
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Old 06-26-2025, 09:58 AM   #8
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Default Re: Pickup Bed

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.
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Old 06-26-2025, 10:28 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 19Fordy View Post
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+to...ANAB01&PC=HCTS
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Old 06-26-2025, 11:20 AM   #10
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Default Re: Pickup Bed

Or like Ford did it...
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File Type: jpg bed bot aft.jpg (26.1 KB, 43 views)
File Type: jpg bed frt aft (2).jpg (39.5 KB, 41 views)
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Old 06-26-2025, 12:50 PM   #11
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Quote:
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Or like Ford did it...
This is how it was done on my 48 Ford pickup. Metal entirely covered the top of the wood.
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Old 06-26-2025, 05:08 PM   #12
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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.
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Old 06-26-2025, 08:15 PM   #13
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Default Re: Pickup Bed

the pickup I am working on is a 1938 Aussie built Ford
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Old 06-29-2025, 09:51 AM   #14
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Default Re: Pickup Bed

Picture that Kube shows is about what my 35's had, maple under the steel pan
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Old 06-30-2025, 07:44 PM   #15
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Default Re: Pickup Bed

Would marine plywood work in place normal plywood
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Old 07-01-2025, 03:54 AM   #16
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Default Re: Pickup Bed

yes; more better too.

but if you're serious about plywood in any configuration, seal the edges (marine or not).
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Old 07-01-2025, 02:51 PM   #17
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pressure treated- but only if stored inside.
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Old 07-01-2025, 08:56 PM   #18
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Default Re: Pickup Bed

Quote:
Originally Posted by ronn View Post
pressure treated- but only if stored inside.
Are you referring to pressure treated lumber or pressure treated plywood?
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Old 07-02-2025, 07:43 PM   #19
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Default Re: Pickup Bed

Marine plywood AA rated, then treated as well
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