Bed for 53 Chevy

[Jim G]

New bed for old (1953) Chevy truck: I am in the process of planning to replace the rotten/rusted bed from my 53 Chevy (3100). I know I can buy new kits on line but I have a friend willing to fabricate the bed wood from an available stock. I will buy the bed strips, angle strips and bolts, etc. But in order to cut the wood to fit I need the specifications for properly fabricating the wood strips. Does anyone have those specs available or know where I can get the model information (without having to purchase a set and then return it)? Thanks for your advice.
Jim G

 

[coilover]

The rear sill (crossmember) on your old bed will give you all the info you need. It's easier if you do away with the old bed strips, bolts, and wood. Measure the distance BETWEEN the bed strip bolt holes on the rear sill to give you the board widths and on the outer two boards add the amount they fit under the angle strip for a final width. IIRC the short bed uses 77" long boards but measure from the front bed panel to the "step" on the rear sill for an exact number. Many times the front panel is bowed forward in the middle so measure close to the outer edge and allow 1/8" expansion room in case the boards aren't sealed completely. You can use a router to make a 5/8 wide by 3/32 deep groove on both sides of each board except the outer two which just get a groove on one side. The math is 5/8 + 5/8 + plus a 1/4inch gap for the bed strip bolt equals 1 1/2" which is the width of a bed strip. A table saw is better as it can duplicate the shallow groove the factory used for the outer edge of the bed strip to seat into. Do a search as I posted this process years ago.

 

[Lakeroadster]

GMCPauls Truck Parts ~ Pickup Bed Wood

GMC Pauls website has the data you are looking for Jim... http://www.gmcpauls.com/47-72_BedWood_Info.htm

For your 1953 truck here is the data:

Late 1951 to 1953 - 8 Boards
4 1/4" - 7 1/4" - 5" - 7 1/4" - 7 1/4" - 5" - 7 1/4" - 4 1/4"

Board Lengths
1947-1953 1/2 T Short Bed 77"
1947-1953 3/4,1 T Long Bed 85 3/4"


Dimensions
A. 3/4" (board thickness)
B. 1/4"
C. 1/4"
D. 1/2"
E. 1/8"

 

[Jim G]

Bed for truck

To Coilover
Lakeroadster

thanks for your guidance on the wood cutting for a bed for 53 Chevy.
One question: I don't understand the significance of the Dimensions list and the image included. Can you/will you explain. thanks.
Jim G

 

[ol' chebby]

A is the thickness of the board...3/4".
B is the depth of the cut for the center strip to sit in....1/4"
C is the width of the cut where the center strip curls over the wood...1/4".
D is the distance from the inner edge to the point (C) where the cut begins....1/2".
E is the hight of the wood underneath the center strip...1/8"

 

[Lakeroadster]

Factory Bed Board Milling Detail

Always glad to help Jim!

The dimensional sketch, which I agree looks like a puzzle piece, shows how the factory cut the edges of the boards so the metal strips fit correctly. The sketch just shows one edge of the board, you need to do both edges, where the metal strips set.

Hope that helps!

John

And here's a few more pictures that might help!





And this one is cut totally wrong, compared to the factory style anyways, but it shows the metal strip sitting in the cut edge: