Composite bed Wood Dimensions

[waayfast]

Folks,
I just ended up with a 12 foot composite style bed for the CCKW and/or the Studebaker US6.
Data plate says manufactured 06/14/45. Bed assembled by MMF. It looks to be VERY nice shape metal-wise-- ZERO rust other than the strips that hold the wood down--, but the wood is REALLY BAD. As in gone. Not much of any left to get a pattern from.
There is one short piece of one 6 1/2 inch board that is good enough to show me that this wood looks to be 1 1/4" thick as near as I can tell. Can someone here verify the actual thickness? Also looks like about 4 different widths of planks. Can someone clue me into just exactly what these boards measure width-wise. And what type of router bit would work to cut the groove the metal strips fit into? Do the planks join side to side with a half round notch to allow for the bolt or does the bolt simply separate the boards?
Although I have a planer I could make whatever thickness this calls for--has anyone tried using thicker wood--say 1 1/2" ? I'm thinking Douglas Fir --clear grain frameing lumber since I have a pile of it in the back yard.
If someone would be willing to send me a picture of (or the real thing) a cross section of a floorboard so I can understand how the "groove" looks, I would be forever grateful.
Also what are the Dimensions of the wood beam between the bed and on top of the frame rails?
Or dare I dream and ask if there is a source for pre- cut ready to install bed board kits

Thanks, Jim

[kw573]

Hi Jim,

I re-timbered a US6 cargo bed many moons ago. From memory, the widths of the planks were almost random, the large number of bolt holes in the steel cross-members implies that this was the case. I cut a groove along the grain (a 'trench' is across the grain, I think) with a circular saw to take the lip of the steel stripping. I can't remember if there was a rebate to set the strip down to surface level. I saw no evidence of notchings for the bolts, they just spaced the boards that far apart.

The FWD HAR-01 manual has surprisingly detailed information on sizes of its' wooden bed timbers, if you wanted to see some of the industry practice of the time.

Have a nice day.
Sam.

[waayfast]

Sam,
Thanks for the reply---any info is great--already learned some key tidbits!

The top of the metal crossmembers have plenty of holes--some evidently not used. Just seems odd that they would use so many different widths. I may very well study the spacing some more and come up with one width of plank for the floor.

Yep- it would not be "correct" but the truck the bed will go on is REALLY not correct anyway.

Thanks again and I will study this thing more. I have come to think this may be a good thing, the composite bed looks to be fairly easy to break down---this way I can store the individual pieces in a corner of the shop. This way I can work on it thru the winter. No way could I afford to tie up all the shop space a complete bed would use!

Jim

[hansel]

I have an article on wooden beds with dimensions I can send youif you PM me with an email address. Also I have a restored IH M5H6 wooden bed waiting for its truck to be done. New metal bed strips are available if you need them. I have a fairly nice wood bed for HAR or CCKW or US6 for sale if you hear of anyone interested.

[waayfast]

Thanks for the reply and I'd be glad to take you up on your kind offer! I have found a website of a company that does wood kits for the old Classic Chevy trucks. I was wondering if the groove they cut in there wood is the same as for our green toys--was going to call the company and discuss if they would be interested in making wood for our side.
Interesting you should mention the Big IH---I have a steer axle for one for sale if you know anyone looking for one.
Thanks again,
PM sent
Jim