A day off of work and 79 degrees outside (you PHX folks know what I'm talking about) let me get over to the 49 Ford and start demo.

I wanted to start a new thread as I wind down my old thread - this one will be on the actual truck, the other one will be on paint schemes and then will go away.

After 3 hours - I was able to get a few things done:

Was able to tear apart the front end (note: this came without engine and trans) - there must have been a total of 18 bolts and nuts holding it together! And 9 of them snapped!!


Started tearing apart the rear and the bed. (Total of 8 bolts holding the two fenders!!)


The 62 year old bed came apart in two ways: Half like butter (wood didn't even think of putting up a fight) and the other half is like putting your grandfather in a nursing home - wouldn't budge!!


Pile 'o parts I pulled off...


62 year old wood bed turned into a pile of kindling in 30 minutes.

Now, I have a month before I get back to it (between work and travel) and the next goal is to get the bed off and the rest of the interior apart...

 

You have made some good progress. I look forward to watching this build.

 

So far so good! I'm waiting for 79 degrees to get back onto mine, too.

 

Man, that thing does look solid. Great place to start.

 

just curious: can you tell what kind of wood it is??

 

Rotted.... Would not know if you put a gun to my head.

 

I hope you were able to save the wood crossmembers to use later as a pattern to make new ones, because I don't think anyone is reproducing the set.

 

Yeah, and two weeks later you'll have misquotes the size of Humming Birds.


Whatever was cheapest and closest to the assembly plant. I think they used Southern Pine or Oak, which ever was easiest to get.

Bruce Horkey offers a set for the 8' Express Box:

Ford Box Parts

No matter what these old boxes are never square and all the wood, top and bottom with have to tweaked to fit.

 

Welcome to the site, and concrats on your project, looks like a good one. Im eager to follow your progres. I hope you have an air conditioned garage or shop, Ive been in Scottsdale during the summer, boy it does get hot.

 

He's the first person that came to my mind, but I wasn't too sure. I wonder if he also makes the sides of the inside of the Panel truck???

 

I don't think so, I think he only makes pickup parts. You have to wonder if there's really a demand for the panel truck wood. Some of it gets beat up but it's pretty well protected inside the truck. Also, there are less panels than pickups, that's why they're more valuable than the simple pickup

 

Not too many mosquitoes, just scorpions!!! (Haven't seen any yet!)

I am actually outside - but have at least 4-5 months before it hits 100..

On a side note: Any easy way to pull the bed off in one piece (the 3 sides - not the floor)?

 

After 3 weeks of traveling to Chicago and Vegas, also being a driver and 'tour guide' to my mother in law while she was in Scottsdale - I was able to send her and my wife back to IL for a week while I gain my wits again (and some needed sleep!).

Anywho, left work an hour early to see the truck (it has been 3 weeks!) and decided to wrap up ripping the bed out.

I started by trying to unbolt the bolts one by one - then after the fourth one snapped - I though 'aw hell...' and grabbed the bolt cutters and in FIVE MINUTES all the bolts were no more. Was gonna replace the bolts any way.

The wood crossmembers were beat up as well - so they will have to be replaced.

At this stage - the bed is ready to be lifted off, which is a whole 'nuther problem within its self...


The pic was taken at night with no light and a flash - but you get the idea.

I will be back there next week to start on the cab, and then IT'S BODY WORK TIME!!!

 

Wrap or hook straps to each corner of the bed, center a cherry picker over the bed and lift up the bed with the straps on the cherry picker. Once you have it balanced correctly, you can move the bed out of place to where you want it.

 

Yes - if we had a cherry picker located any where near the car... life would be a little easier!
I have an idea or two how to do it - just gonna sweat a little though doing it!