Aluminium or Steel Checker plate-opinions, pros and/or cons?

Moderator: FORDification

Post Reply
User avatar
71f100
New Member
New Member
Posts: 21
Joined: Thu Dec 16, 2004 9:13 am
Location: Victoria, Australia
Contact:

Aluminium or Steel Checker plate-opinions, pros and/or cons?

Post by 71f100 »

Hey all, just :hmm: ing, and thinking about starting a new headache.... I mean project on my truck. Wondering what ideas are out there regarding floor replacement in the tub? Chances of finding an original floor in good condition down here are slim at best, so I'm thinking checker plate. Anyone had a bad experience, or good? Just fishing at this stage....
'71 F100
'69 XT Fairmont
'99 Fairlane Ghia
"May all you problems be small ones...................and squeal like hell!!!"
crazy larry
New Member
New Member
Posts: 170
Joined: Wed Aug 11, 2004 1:20 am
Location: Texas, Crockett

re: Aluminium or Steel Checker plate-opinions, pros and/or c

Post by crazy larry »

If it was me, i'd look for a better tub and just swap the whole shebang.

a tub is a bed right?
Larry

'72 F-250 Kustom 396 c.i.
Fotoes
User avatar
71f100
New Member
New Member
Posts: 21
Joined: Thu Dec 16, 2004 9:13 am
Location: Victoria, Australia
Contact:

re: Aluminium or Steel Checker plate-opinions, pros and/or c

Post by 71f100 »

By Tub I mean Style Side Tray (as in the little pic next my name). I guess terminology is a little different.
I would love to replace it with a better one but it's near on as good as I have seen for this vintage around here (unless someone can fit one in a box and mail it down here!!!) , hence the need/desire to rebuild the floor in it. I have done some work, repairing sections that stress fractured across the front of the bed.
I'll stick a coule of pics up for something to look at.

Cheers, Damian :wink:
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
'71 F100
'69 XT Fairmont
'99 Fairlane Ghia
"May all you problems be small ones...................and squeal like hell!!!"
crazy larry
New Member
New Member
Posts: 170
Joined: Wed Aug 11, 2004 1:20 am
Location: Texas, Crockett

re: Aluminium or Steel Checker plate-opinions, pros and/or c

Post by crazy larry »

It looks like you have the skill and ability to put in a new floor.
and nothing says tough like diamond plate. Steel is going to get heavy. Aluminum would be the way to go, but it's gonna be more costly.
and now master welder, i have a question for you, How do you securely attach the aluminum to the steel of the frame? :?
Larry

'72 F-250 Kustom 396 c.i.
Fotoes
User avatar
71f100
New Member
New Member
Posts: 21
Joined: Thu Dec 16, 2004 9:13 am
Location: Victoria, Australia
Contact:

re: Aluminium or Steel Checker plate-opinions, pros and/or c

Post by 71f100 »

Yes well, that is one thing I am still very much pondering. Stainless rivets was one thing I thought of, But I reckon it might look tacky, if it's even possible!. The weight factor is definatley agaist steel. I'm in no real hurry to do the job, it's solid enough for now with the work I've done so far. Briefly thought of just a flat-bed, but I love the lines. I'll still definately be looking out for a tub with a better floor in the mean time don't get me wrong, just weighing up options, ya know. Thought it may give it a little something diferent. Feed back is good. thats why I reckon this site is so great. I am no guru (and certainly no 'master welder'!). It's very much my first truck and I have learnt a lot, but still such a long long way to go!

Thanks for the input, much apprecated, as any more will be.

Damian
'71 F100
'69 XT Fairmont
'99 Fairlane Ghia
"May all you problems be small ones...................and squeal like hell!!!"
User avatar
bryantracing460
New Member
New Member
Posts: 92
Joined: Mon Jul 19, 2004 2:59 pm
Location: Tennessee, Covington
Contact:

re: Aluminium or Steel Checker plate-opinions, pros and/or c

Post by bryantracing460 »

If its not gonna be used to haul alot you could always go with one of those fancy wood bed kits.
Jeremy
Drive It Like You Stole It.........NO FEAR!
69 F-100 swb 2wd 460 C-6. 86 F-150 super cab 2wd 302 AOD.85 Bronco 4wd 300 AOD.
http://www.myspace.com/bryantracing460
BCOOLEY
New Member
New Member
Posts: 69
Joined: Fri Jan 14, 2005 10:54 am
Location: Georgia, LaGrange

re: Aluminium or Steel Checker plate-opinions, pros and/or c

Post by BCOOLEY »

I saw one at a custom show and the guy used the hardwood flooring that you buy at home depot! it was sharp! He used a mirror for the bulkhead!
it looked like the wood never ended! real cool! 8)
FORD BUILT EM TUFF WE BUILD EM BETTER!!
mont974x4
New Member
New Member
Posts: 69
Joined: Tue Jan 25, 2005 11:51 pm
Location: Montana

re: Aluminium or Steel Checker plate-opinions, pros and/or c

Post by mont974x4 »

Now a wood kit is a great idea. hmmm flatbed or woodkit for my 72? Best be flatbed for me. I'd hate to get blood in the wood and not get it out after hunting season. Plus, camping season and all the gear plus motorcycles being dragged across it.
Jay
72 F-100 4x4
97 F-150 SCAB 4x4
Post Reply