Flareside: OEM Bed Wood pictures

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Flareside: OEM Bed Wood pictures

SCFlareside
All,

Just saving some photos on the forum for the sake of preservation and info: Here are some shots of the underside of my Flareside with the OEM wood.    

It appears they encased or coated it with something in addition to just the plywood.  These are shots of the underside looking up at a rear wheel well, with a piece of the "shell" also.  

Other shots show the back looking forward over the rear axle; note the location of the heat shield.







1985 Flareside 4x4, Silver, 302, AOD, BFG Mud 33x12.50s.  California truck with 140k original miles :)  (and slowly going up)

1977 F250 4x4 Highboy, Dec '76 production.  NP435 4 Speed, NP205, 4:10s.    Military 36.5s
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Re: Flareside: OEM Bed Wood pictures

Rembrant
SCFlareside wrote
It appears they encased or coated it with something in addition to just the plywood.  These are shots of the underside looking up at a rear wheel well, with a piece of the "shell" also.  
Hey SCFlareside. My '84 Flareside had the original 3pc plywood bed floor in it when I bought it, and while it was partially rotten on the top, the undercoating had preserved it like brand new on the bottom side. I cleaned some of it off looking for any markings on the wood, and the bottom layer of the plywood appeared to be like an MDF veneer or something. It's all gone now, but if you saw it in person it looked just like that brown MDF paneling you buy at Home Depot, etc. It was 3/4" plywood, but the bottom layer was as smooth as glass. It was almost as if they used a finish plywood, like the stuff used for making cabinets, etc.






At this point and time, more than 30 years later, it is pretty uncommon to find one of these trucks with the factory bed wood still intact (rotten or not).
1994 F150 4x2 Flareside. 5.0 w/MAF, 4R70W, stock.
1984 F150 4X2 Flareside. Mild 302 w/ 5spd. Sold.
1980 F150 4X4 Flareside. 300i6 w/ 5spd. Sold in 2021.
1980 F100 4X2 Flareside. 351w/2bbl w/NP435. Sold in 1995

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Re: Flareside: OEM Bed Wood pictures

ArdWrknTrk
Administrator
I think it more likely MDO (medium density overlay)
This is often used for signs and such where you want an impermeable smooth surface that doesn't telegraph the grain below.

Then there's HDO, which is used for concrete forms...
 Jim,
Lil'Red is a '87 F250 HD, 4.10's, 1356 4x4, Zf-5, 3G, PMGR, Saginaw PS, desmogged with a Holley 80508 and Performer intake.
Too much other stuff to mention.
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Re: Flareside: OEM Bed Wood pictures

Rembrant
ArdWrknTrk wrote
I think it more likely MDO (medium density overlay)
This is often used for signs and such where you want an impermeable smooth surface that doesn't telegraph the grain below.
Right you are. It was smooth like glass, but definitely part of the wood. You know that hard paneling you can buy that's always dark brown? Usually smooth on one side, and rougher on the back? Same kind of stuff they use for the back panels on things like a dresser, or cabinet? That's what it looked like on my truck, but it would have been just a single layer veneer of the plywood. I couldn't remember what it was called, but that is what mine looked like when I wiped away the undercoating. I just didn't take any pictures of it unfortunately.

Ken's could be something different, I'm not sure.
1994 F150 4x2 Flareside. 5.0 w/MAF, 4R70W, stock.
1984 F150 4X2 Flareside. Mild 302 w/ 5spd. Sold.
1980 F150 4X4 Flareside. 300i6 w/ 5spd. Sold in 2021.
1980 F100 4X2 Flareside. 351w/2bbl w/NP435. Sold in 1995

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Re: Flareside: OEM Bed Wood pictures

ArdWrknTrk
Administrator
"Masonite" is otherwise known as oil tempered hardboard.
This is what pegboard is made from.
Regular hardboard is that cheap '70's paneling and Ikea cabinet backs.

Whereas MDO and HDO are phenolic impregnated Kraft paper.
The phenolic is what keeps it from absorbing water.

Maybe irrelevant, but I'm 'that pedantic geek'
 Jim,
Lil'Red is a '87 F250 HD, 4.10's, 1356 4x4, Zf-5, 3G, PMGR, Saginaw PS, desmogged with a Holley 80508 and Performer intake.
Too much other stuff to mention.
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Re: Flareside: OEM Bed Wood pictures

SCFlareside
Yes!  The outer layer is extremely thin, but smooth.  It's definitely only the last layer of veneer.

Good picture Rembrandt, good to have on this thread.  Looks like you still have the mystery piece on there as well...

1985 Flareside 4x4, Silver, 302, AOD, BFG Mud 33x12.50s.  California truck with 140k original miles :)  (and slowly going up)

1977 F250 4x4 Highboy, Dec '76 production.  NP435 4 Speed, NP205, 4:10s.    Military 36.5s
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Re: Flareside: OEM Bed Wood pictures

SCFlareside
Jim, not sure if these pics help identify or confirm it as MDO?  Here are a few closeups of the piece I took off as a sample



1985 Flareside 4x4, Silver, 302, AOD, BFG Mud 33x12.50s.  California truck with 140k original miles :)  (and slowly going up)

1977 F250 4x4 Highboy, Dec '76 production.  NP435 4 Speed, NP205, 4:10s.    Military 36.5s
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Re: Flareside: OEM Bed Wood pictures

SCFlareside
You can see in the second picture, taken on edge (profile view) how thin that lower, outer layer is.
1985 Flareside 4x4, Silver, 302, AOD, BFG Mud 33x12.50s.  California truck with 140k original miles :)  (and slowly going up)

1977 F250 4x4 Highboy, Dec '76 production.  NP435 4 Speed, NP205, 4:10s.    Military 36.5s
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Re: Flareside: OEM Bed Wood pictures

Rembrant
In reply to this post by SCFlareside
Cool! You can see it in your pic Ken, it's just like a layer of brown paper almost...a thin/smooth veneer.
1994 F150 4x2 Flareside. 5.0 w/MAF, 4R70W, stock.
1984 F150 4X2 Flareside. Mild 302 w/ 5spd. Sold.
1980 F150 4X4 Flareside. 300i6 w/ 5spd. Sold in 2021.
1980 F100 4X2 Flareside. 351w/2bbl w/NP435. Sold in 1995

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Re: Flareside: OEM Bed Wood pictures

SCFlareside
This post was updated on .
OK I keep editing this reply, was looking up MDO vs MDF.  It looks like MDO is readily available in 3/4 inch plywood and used for outdoor signage and other exterior use.  Hmmm...  It also comes in either single or double sided, so one could have the MDO outside facing downward and the wood OR MDO up on the bed floor.

https://homeguides.sfgate.com/plywood-versus-mdo-99007.html
1985 Flareside 4x4, Silver, 302, AOD, BFG Mud 33x12.50s.  California truck with 140k original miles :)  (and slowly going up)

1977 F250 4x4 Highboy, Dec '76 production.  NP435 4 Speed, NP205, 4:10s.    Military 36.5s
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Re: Flareside: OEM Bed Wood pictures

Rembrant
SCFlareside wrote
I wonder if that's something we can source, to either add to a standard sheet of marine plywood (or other?)  Hmmmm.
Well, when I was shopping around for the marine plywood for my bed, I ended up talking to a local specialty wood shop that sells a lot of marine products, and they told me that they had two different types of marine plywood. One is the structural plywood, that they actually build boats with, like the hull, the deck, the cab, etc...and then there was a marine grade plywood for doing interior finish work, cabinets, etc. The only reason I bring that up is that the interior grade marine plywood was the product with all of the fancy veneers on it. The stuff I bought, is basically just smooth one side.

I spent a couple years working in a plant that manufactured IKEA furniture, and part of their process was to add a layer of brown paper on the backside of all of the panels (panels were particle board) and it's only purpose was to prevent warping. The particle board went through a machine that applied adhesive, then it went into a press where the brown paper was applied. You wouldn't think that a layer that thin would add that much rigidity, but it did. Maybe Ford did something similar with the plywood, since it became three large pieces instead of narrow boards.
1994 F150 4x2 Flareside. 5.0 w/MAF, 4R70W, stock.
1984 F150 4X2 Flareside. Mild 302 w/ 5spd. Sold.
1980 F150 4X4 Flareside. 300i6 w/ 5spd. Sold in 2021.
1980 F100 4X2 Flareside. 351w/2bbl w/NP435. Sold in 1995

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Re: Flareside: OEM Bed Wood pictures

SCFlareside
On your truck, did you end up using the structural marine grade?  

Also do you mind posting another pic of your finished bed here for posterity?  It's great looking...
1985 Flareside 4x4, Silver, 302, AOD, BFG Mud 33x12.50s.  California truck with 140k original miles :)  (and slowly going up)

1977 F250 4x4 Highboy, Dec '76 production.  NP435 4 Speed, NP205, 4:10s.    Military 36.5s
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Re: Flareside: OEM Bed Wood pictures

ArdWrknTrk
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In reply to this post by SCFlareside
HDO is for reusable concrete forms.
MDO is used for signage and exterior facades, where it needs to be impervious to weather, stay smooth and readily accept surface finish.
 Jim,
Lil'Red is a '87 F250 HD, 4.10's, 1356 4x4, Zf-5, 3G, PMGR, Saginaw PS, desmogged with a Holley 80508 and Performer intake.
Too much other stuff to mention.
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Re: Flareside: OEM Bed Wood pictures

Rembrant
In reply to this post by SCFlareside
SCFlareside wrote
OK I keep editing this reply, was looking up MDO vs MDF.  It looks like MDO is readily available in 3/4 inch plywood and used for outdoor signage and other exterior use.  Hmmm...  It also comes in either single or double sided, so one could have the MDO outside facing downward and the wood OR MDO up on the bed floor.

https://homeguides.sfgate.com/plywood-versus-mdo-99007.html
Well there you go. Interesting stuff. Maybe that is what was done. The original wood floor on mine was definitely plywood, but the bottom layer definitely had NO woodgrain appearance...it was a brownish color that looked like a phenolic or some other manufacturerd wood compound/product.
1994 F150 4x2 Flareside. 5.0 w/MAF, 4R70W, stock.
1984 F150 4X2 Flareside. Mild 302 w/ 5spd. Sold.
1980 F150 4X4 Flareside. 300i6 w/ 5spd. Sold in 2021.
1980 F100 4X2 Flareside. 351w/2bbl w/NP435. Sold in 1995

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Re: Flareside: OEM Bed Wood pictures

ArdWrknTrk
Administrator
In reply to this post by ArdWrknTrk
You can get single or double sided MDO in 1/4, 3/8, 1/2, 5/8, 3/4 or 1". (6, 10, 12, 16, 19 or 25mm)

Usually it is on Fir core.

While it doesn't conform to Lloyd's marine standards it is pretty solid in exterior use if* properly finished.
 Jim,
Lil'Red is a '87 F250 HD, 4.10's, 1356 4x4, Zf-5, 3G, PMGR, Saginaw PS, desmogged with a Holley 80508 and Performer intake.
Too much other stuff to mention.
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Re: Flareside: OEM Bed Wood pictures

Rembrant
In reply to this post by SCFlareside
SCFlareside wrote
On your truck, did you end up using the structural marine grade?  

Also do you mind posting another pic of your finished bed here for posterity?  It's great looking...
Mine is marine grade, but just the basic structural stuff in Douglas Fir. I got a lot of flack from my buddies for installing plywood by the way...lol, but by the time I got this part of my project, it was way WAY over budget, and I was just trying to get it finished so I could drive the darn thing. Spending another grand or more on a hardwood bed wasn't in the cards at the time, and just due to geography, I was going to have trouble dealing with the warranty of the boards, which I wanted to avoid. Besides, I wanted it to be sort of original, so when people question it, I can say that it was good enough for Ford, it's good enough for me...lol.





This is where I test fitted the wood...



Here it is back on the stands where I sanded and varnished it.


And then back in the bed.





I know it's not to everybody's taste, but I like it and it has grown on me more over time. I wanted a lighter color along with the body colored strips, so that is where I ended up. It's easy to change, so if I ever decide to change it out for hardwood later, I can do that. I have an extra painted strip in case I ever want to go with the board style.
1994 F150 4x2 Flareside. 5.0 w/MAF, 4R70W, stock.
1984 F150 4X2 Flareside. Mild 302 w/ 5spd. Sold.
1980 F150 4X4 Flareside. 300i6 w/ 5spd. Sold in 2021.
1980 F100 4X2 Flareside. 351w/2bbl w/NP435. Sold in 1995

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Re: Flareside: OEM Bed Wood pictures

1986F150Six
Administrator
Absolutely beautiful truck, Cory!
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Re: Flareside: OEM Bed Wood pictures

SCFlareside
AGREED, Actually I like the plywood, finished the way that you did.  It seems a bit faithful to the original and also a great contrast with the blue

1985 Flareside 4x4, Silver, 302, AOD, BFG Mud 33x12.50s.  California truck with 140k original miles :)  (and slowly going up)

1977 F250 4x4 Highboy, Dec '76 production.  NP435 4 Speed, NP205, 4:10s.    Military 36.5s
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Re: Flareside: OEM Bed Wood pictures

SCFlareside
So this thread explains a lot.  The smooth TOP surface on my bed is actually the MDO peeling off in so many places...  I was looking right at it but not seeing it

1985 Flareside 4x4, Silver, 302, AOD, BFG Mud 33x12.50s.  California truck with 140k original miles :)  (and slowly going up)

1977 F250 4x4 Highboy, Dec '76 production.  NP435 4 Speed, NP205, 4:10s.    Military 36.5s
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Re: Flareside: OEM Bed Wood pictures

ArdWrknTrk
Administrator
This post was updated on .
In reply to this post by Rembrant
Cory,
I think the rotary cut Fir looks fantastic!

There's nothing second rate about that at all.  
Rembrant wrote
Mine is marine grade, but just the basic structural stuff in Douglas Fir. I got a lot of flack from my buddies for installing plywood by the way...
When people question it, I can say that it was good enough for Ford, it's good enough for me...lol.

Today, many of us (woodworkers) have vacuum bag presses.
I specifically bought my 60 mil urethane bag in 5x9' so I could veneer regular size plywood sheets.

While that leaves the plywood 'unbalanced', if you use a glue with no water (epoxy, solvent based neoprene contact cement) you can pull it off without curling.

At 14.7 psi @ sea level that's 2,117 pounds per square foot of clamping force... 67,744 pounds on a 4x8 sheet and it's entirely evenly distributed.
 Jim,
Lil'Red is a '87 F250 HD, 4.10's, 1356 4x4, Zf-5, 3G, PMGR, Saginaw PS, desmogged with a Holley 80508 and Performer intake.
Too much other stuff to mention.
123