I'm looking for either a stake bed kit to purhase for my '49 F1 pickup. If none is available, I will have to do the full Monte and purchase the wood to make my own. I don't really want to do this because I don't have the wood-working tools or garage space that would make the chore fairly easy. I'll go this route only if I have to.

Any advice as to where to look for a filnished stake bed kit that includes the wood, the bolts, etc.? This is not the kit to replace the wood bed floor; it is the kit that is anchored in the vertical stake bed pockets (there are four in the '49 bed). I tried looking in the Mac's, LMC, and Classic Haulers catalogs. May have missed seeing what I want there, but my eyes are not what they used to be.

Thanks,

Smitty

 

Frankly I have no idea if 'kits' are available or not. But I would suggest finding a local woodworker and have them custom made. Then you control the choice of wood, detail, and finish. Being in wine country you should have no problem finding someone who does high quality work.

 

I have heard what you want referred to as "side boards". You may have better luck searching using that term.

 

I tried using every term in the book with no luck. Looks like I'll go ahead and put together my own. Measure, Cut, sand, stain, drill holes for bolts, bolt together and install.

 

From Mac's:


Ford - Ford Pickup Truck Short Bed Side Board Set - Unfinished Oak - Macs Auto Parts


Like this?

 

After re-reading his post I believe it is. I was thinking stake bed, like this:

 

I was thinking of something more like this:

http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/...-pickups-2.jpg

 

The truck is just an F1 1/2 ton (not a flat-bed), simillar to the one in this picture. I was thinking of a design more like this:

http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/...-pickups-2.jpg

 

Those are nice looking side boards. I believe you'll have to custom make them yourself, or hire a woodworker if you don't the space or tools. Best wishes to you, and post a picture when you are done.

 

was wondering if the 51 f-1 came with stake bed running boards? I know the 48-50 did come with the running boards.this is why im adding to this section of the forum...I know that red truck has wrong boards, as far as I know. I have a 51cab/Frames and I have 48 script bed with proper running boards...also dose the vin numbers reflect a stake bed--- I don't think so, am I wrong? Here are some pics

 

Don't forget to use high quality stainless steel nuts and bolts. I did these for a friend on his '49 Dodge pickup.

 

My question is do the stakes get wedged in the stake pockets or should they bottom out and sit at the bottom of the stake pockets?

 

We learned very recently, on a different thread, that only the 48s had long running boards for factory flat beds. Subsequent years had the short boards. Nice project pics by the way.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...y-flatbed.html

 

OK, 1948 only I'll have to look at the vin on my others, but they are f-2s and need frame cut, don't know if I'm into that...well now I know. As for the stakes bottoming out or if they have a floor, I will have to check that out good question.
I did notice when I was taking out the bench seat out of what I callef a 51( I haven't looked into serial numbers yet to see real year) then to keep the bolts original I put them into the one I'm building up; the one I took out seat had 4 bolts in front to hold the seat in, and the standard 2 in the back...where as the other 51? Had only 3----two under driver, and one under passenger p? Weird...also the bench seats seemingly original first fabric was old Army canvas? In addition it had what looked like one side of a hindges on both sides of the neck area riveted on rather well, but not stock? Military add on? Weirdness the truck was in bad shape as they drag it around the yard by its windows, maybe with a forklift...it also looked air force blue, but no data plates anywhere. Just like a 51f-3 ihave/ the blue paint that is.

 

On the one that I did for a client I bottomed them out. After finish I waxed the bottom of each stake on top of the UV Varnish. He doesn't leave his truck out in the rain and only drives it on nice days.
If the stakes don't bottom out then something has to sit on the bed rails. I would think that if that were done then they would vibrate and wear the paint off.