A buddy of mine just started restoring, I think he said a '53 Ford pick-up truck.
He asked me about some wood for the bed. We were talking Q sawn white oak, but I got to thinking that maybe he can do better. I've heard of honey locust being used before, and looked real nice.
He wants it to be kind of a "show truck", so something fancy looking, that might still be historically true to the truck.
Any suggestions?
Also any suggestions for a finish would be helpful.
Quite a few years ago I completely tore down to nothing a 63 gmc pickup and rebuilt. Started with a 72 frame and stripped everything off of it that would come loose. Sandblasted it and started back over. Every bolt, line, and wire, and other components that could be replaced, was. Added power steering, and power brakes. Found and cut down a long bed stepside into a short wheel base stepside. Looked for a year for some gmc parking light lenses for the front hood, (they're different from a chevy). Finally found some NOS still in the boxes where it'd sat for 30 years. It was once when I was working for someone else, his truck, and I worked on it for two years. On rainy days he'd usually send every one else home but me and I'd work on the truck. Sometimes he'd keep me on it weeks at a time. Every piece of trim was replaced, and recromed. Carpet, air, tilt steering column. Chevy 350 motor all dressed up. Had everything dang near back together and made a mistake of mentioning stainless steel bolts. Some of the black coated ones he'd bought was starting to rust. He had me take the whole dang thing back apart and put it together with them stainless steel bolts. This guy had more money than he had brains!!!!
Oh, sorry, back to the point. For the bed we used quarter sawn white oak and found new trim pieces that went between the boards in stainless steel. We finished the oak with a marine varnish. It hardly ever gets out of his shop where he keeps it covered up but here a while back I saw it parked at WallyWorld and kinda snuck up to it and looked it over. It was still looking pretty good.
Furby,
What color is he gonna paint it? That might influence what wood, what finsh he should use.
Locust will last forever...course if it is a show truck, it'll be inside all the time anyways.
I wish I had an old truck. Wish I had a new truck. ;D
Some day the ole '66 Lemans convertible will be done and we can cruise 8)
hawby
Don't know if he's thought that far ahead yet, but I'll ask him next time I see him.
I kinda think he may drive this thing a little, just a hunch.
I'll get some more info when I can.
To be honest I'd like to see a pic of it. Since it's a couple of hours south of me, that's the only way I'll see it for a while. :-/
Yeah, I wish I had an old truck or a new truck too! :-/
Ash would be good. They make UV resistant epoxy that would be a good finish but epoxies are toxic to work with .Marine varnish lasts about two years out doors.
White oak is what the older Fords are finished with for wood beds and you use stainless strips in between the boards. I think it is wise to undercoat the bottom of the boards and ends with a marine epoxy paint and provide drain holes in the front of the bed at least 1/2 to 5/8 iiches wide in each corner.
I'd vote for quarter sawn white oak. Especially since they use to use white oak. But Don''t use red oak. Red oak is no good outside.
White Oak was the most popular in the old trucks from what I have read in the past.
I know you said its a Ford but maybe Captain can do some checking with GM history on their trucks.
In regards to Honey Locust, dont get that one mixed up with Black Locust. The Black locust would out last the truck. The honey locust is no where near as rot resistant as the Black Locust or the White Oak.
Kirk
Furby,
Kirk is correct. Honey locust is not nearly as rot resistant as Black locust. We can send you a sample of black locust if you want to see what it looks like. We are clearing about 13 acres of black locust off the back of our farm, where a tornado went through & trashed the area. It is extremely hard (tough on the chainsaw). Both the quartersawn white oak or black locust would work well.
Here in Costa Rica, the beds are made out of Cortesa - which is so hard that they use it for bridges. It is almost black in color at times and is so dense that the wood will not absorb water. It is amazing stuff. Not exactly original equipment though.
It is interesting, when you saw it with a chainsaw, it makes smoke because it is so hard!
Some of the logs we use are about 80 feet log, just drop a few over a stream or small river, fill between with gravel and dirt and you have a bridge that will support a 10 ton truck. I will say the first time you drive over one, it does make you a bit nervous...
Anyone want pictures?
I think everyone's a fan of pictures! :)
Your kidding right? Send em!
I went to find them and saw that I already had them on my website:
http://www.fincaleola.com/country_bridges.htm
No pictures of a pickup truck with a Cortese bed.
Feel free to snag the pictures and put them in the forum if you want.
One wood I have used before that might be great for a pickup bed, if it is meant to be a show truck, is Purple Heart.
I was told it was a tropical wood. It is very tough and bouncy, I guess one of the main uses is bed slats for mattress/box supports. You have to predrill any screw holes because a stainless steel screw will snap in 1/2 trying to drive it.
It is deep purple, looks excellent finished, very resilent, has a gum/wax/resin that would probably make it pretty rot and water proof in a truck bed, especially with a good finish. Plus, it is expensive so that might appeal to some people :D
I used it to make wall and floor trim.
Purple heart would be very pretty, but I don't think it is weather resistant - could be. It does grow in Costa Rica. Also, it would be REALLY expensive - since it is very scarce now.
Fred
How's things going down there, Fred ???
Having too much fun, 8) But that isn't a problem, is it?
I went out to get my mop of a head of hair cut yesterday and it cost me 600 colones - in other words, less than 1.50 - you have to love it. They did a good job too, of course they did an excellent job considering what they had to work with... ;D
So, when you coming to visit? We had a pig roast Saturday, honestly, I wasn't trying to compete, we just finished planting and all.
Fred
If we could sell some wood, I will try in Feb.
Beautiful time to be here, but you probably know that - you will have to bring a pan to pan for gold. I have to see how you do that.
If you get the airfare, I am sure we can put you up somewhere.
Fred
That would be great. Thanks, Fred
About the truck, got any Hedge Apples up there ??? That would make an eye catcher truck bed ??? ;D
Yeah, I am planning on putting you to work. ;)
I am hoping to have a portable sawmill bought by then and you can show me the tricks.
Fred
Ahhh, Si. No problema. ::) Gotta brush up on my Spanish. You gettin a Petersen???
What do ya mean "Hedge Apples", Deadheader?
Big old apple trees???
Patty, by way of looks, how do the black locust and the honey locust compare?
Furby, ::) Hedge Apples, Beau-D'arc, Osage Orange, Cannon ball Tree.??? Very bright Yellow w/ streaks. Hard, hard wood. ;D ;D :D
Hmmmmmmmmmm!
Ya got my interest.
I'm gonna pass all this info along when I talk to him again.
Yeah, planning on the Petersons now, hopefully by the dry seaon. We have several trees that have to be cut this year, so it will get a good workout.
Furby,
Black locust is kinda yellowish/green ?? where honey locust is more honey colored with brown steaks. Now that I've made this perfectly clear ::); let me send you some ( a sample) if you are interested.
Let me talk to my friend and see what way he is leaning.
That way you won't waste your time for no reason.
Thank you for the offer!
Sikkens is the best outdoor finish I've ever found
Furby,
Osage Orange would be a great choice. Very rot resistant, hard as nails and an awsome color.
Shoot Hillbilly an IM and see if he could post a picture of it. I sent him back with a bunch from the roast but I didnt take any pictures of it.
When you cut it the sawdust is a Neon Yellow. I have been told the Amish use the sawdust to make yellow die.
It will loose the yellow color over time unless treeted with a UV protection.
Kirk
Kiln dried white ash would be a good wood for resilience. Its also hard as nails when dried good. I have to pre-drill all my holes in white ash, or as mentioned above, the screws snap off. ::) Red oak wouldn't work well, as mentioned, because its too pourous where the white oak, as most of you favor, is less pourous because the earlywood vessels look like they have hardening of the arteries if ya get out the 10x hand lens and compare the end grain. Ebony is very hard and heavy, like a sheet of 3/8" steel. :D
This is a good table to look at for physical properties of hardwood species.
http://www.hardwoods-inc.com/physical_properties_1.asp
cheers
Had a guy buy some ERC for his truck bed and racks. Just a show truck. He finished it fine. It was almost hard on the eyes.
But that cedar was sure pretty. But for durable use w oak.
I would not like to consider the cost, unless you found an old boat to salvage, but, I bet teak would be nice! Good enough for WWII aircraft carrier decks and ships.
Teak is very difficult to get a finish to stay on.Also VERY expensive. But still less than ebony!!??
Teak is soft. Too easily damaged.
I will never forget, in this lifetime, trying to split a Hedgeapple log for firewood....with an axe. I can still feel the reverb in my shoulder from that one! :D
I would agree with Florida, teak is too soft, and would be very expensive. However, Ipe might be a good choice, and would not be terribly expensive I would think.
Very hard, durable, and resistant to weather. It is often used for boardwalks.