A simple internet search of the words “truck bed floor” provides almost a hundred million results. The possibilities are limitless for personalizing your hauler for work or play. The bed floor shows the heart and soul of a vintage truck, and with several new generations of pickups being deemed “classic,” it’s no surprise that the bed is a popular subject.
The functionality of a truck bed can be traced back to the days of horse-drawn vehicles. As the purpose of some truck beds has changed from their utility to being an accessory, personalizing and customizing them is now an industry standard.
Even with the most basic skills, you can be confident that you can pull off an excellent restoration or replacement of a bed floor with the simplest of hand tools. Taking ownership of a do-it-yourself project provides an immense sense of pride in the accomplishment, so whether your truck is brand new or 100 years old, this book walks you through how to restore, decorate, replace, customize, patina, or upgrade your bed floor.
Truck Beds: How to Install, Restore, & Modify was written to provide professional results while catering towards your skill set, budget, and experience.
Dedication
Introduction
Chapter 1: Traditional Bed Floor Restoration
Bed Floor Candidates
“Over” Restoration
Analyzing and Preparing Bed Boards
Stripping Wood Mechanically
Restoring Original Painted Bed Strips
Chapter 2: Bed Floor Replacement
Organizing the Bed Kit
New Hardware
Bed Floor Removal
Test-Fitting
Cam Bolts and Hidden Fasteners
Truck Bed Kit Installation
Making Your Own Bed Boards
Chapter 3: Custom Wood Floor Options
Craftsmanship Meets Computer-Controlled Automation
Finish Coatings and Options
Immortalizing a Memory
Chapter 4: Aluminum Bed Floors
Aluminum Bed Floor in a Traditional Restoration Project
Chapter 5: Wood Floors for Modern Trucks
CAD Modeling and the Modern Age of Design
SUVs with Truck Beds
Chapter 6: Creating the Illusion of Age
Creating Patina on New Wood
Personalizing Your Patina
Driftwood
Water-Based and Oil-Based Clear Coatings
A simple internet search of the words “truck bed floor” provides almost a hundred million results. The possibilities are limitless for personalizing your hauler for work or play. The bed floor shows the heart and soul of a vintage truck, and with several new generations of pickups being deemed “classic,” it’s no surprise that the bed is a popular subject.
The functionality of a truck bed can be traced back to the days of horse-drawn vehicles. As the purpose of some truck beds has changed from their utility to being an accessory, personalizing and customizing them is now an industry standard.
Even with the most basic skills, you can be confident that you can pull off an excellent restoration or replacement of a bed floor with the simplest of hand tools. Taking ownership of a do-it-yourself project provides an immense sense of pride in the accomplishment, so whether your truck is brand new or 100 years old, this book walks you through how to restore, decorate, replace, customize, patina, or upgrade your bed floor.
Truck Beds: How to Install, Restore, & Modify was written to provide professional results while catering towards your skill set, budget, and experience.
Dedication
Introduction
Chapter 1: Traditional Bed Floor Restoration
Bed Floor Candidates
“Over” Restoration
Analyzing and Preparing Bed Boards
Stripping Wood Mechanically
Restoring Original Painted Bed Strips
Chapter 2: Bed Floor Replacement
Organizing the Bed Kit
New Hardware
Bed Floor Removal
Test-Fitting
Cam Bolts and Hidden Fasteners
Truck Bed Kit Installation
Making Your Own Bed Boards
Chapter 3: Custom Wood Floor Options
Craftsmanship Meets Computer-Controlled Automation
Finish Coatings and Options
Immortalizing a Memory
Chapter 4: Aluminum Bed Floors
Aluminum Bed Floor in a Traditional Restoration Project
Chapter 5: Wood Floors for Modern Trucks
CAD Modeling and the Modern Age of Design
SUVs with Truck Beds
Chapter 6: Creating the Illusion of Age
Creating Patina on New Wood
Personalizing Your Patina
Driftwood
Water-Based and Oil-Based Clear Coatings