How to Make a Wooden Truck Bed

Trucks are vehicles that are used and abused. Depending on your make and model, and the type of work it is put through each day, some parts of the truck may begin to rust or deteriorate. More often than not, one part that rusts before the rest is the truck bed. Replacing the bed and buying a brand new one is often costly and inconvenient, as the new bed will do the exact same thing (i.e., rust) over time as well. However, there is an alternative: building your own wooden truck bed that will last for years and save you a pretty penny. Follow these steps to build a simple wooden truck bed in a flatbed design.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Treated 2-inch by 6-inch by 8-foot decking boards Lag bolts Ratchet set Helpers 3-inch wood screws Taillight kit

1. Begin by removing the old truck bed. Crawl under the truck and use the ratchet set to loosen and remove the lag bolts holding the truck bed to the cross-members of the frame. Have your helpers assist in lifting the bed free from the frame and laying it somewhere for disposal.

2. Cut one of the decking boards in half and then use the lag bolts to bolt the two halves lengthwise across the bed frame. Lay the other decking boards side by side on top of the lengthwise boards and screw them down tight with the wood screws.

3. Remount your taillights and bumper on the rear of the bed with the hardware provided in your lighting kit and hang your license plate on the rear middle section of the bed.

Tips & Warnings

• This same design can be transferred to sheet metal if a metal flatbed is desired.
• Check local and state laws before building this bed, as some laws require fenders to be present on the vehicle.

Resources

• Article on DIY Wooden Truck Bed