The 5 center boards on the 53-56 F100 bed are the same. Does anyone know how wide each piece of wood on a 53-56 f100 bed should be? I want to make my own, but I have 2 measurements for the width of the board before rabets/milling: 5 - 3/4" and 5 - 9/16" wide. Also, if you know how wide the face of the board should be after rabets, that will help verify my measurements. I'm referring to the width of the wood that you see after you install bed strips.

 

Check the Reference threads "sticky" at the top of the page. One of the links is to Earl's site, you'll find the board dimensions in there.

 

Check out this link, its from one of our own. Down towards the bottom is a bed wood diagram.

http://www.clubfte.com/users/earl/Re..._Material.html

Good luck
Bobby

 

I found that same diagram from one of the members, but I also saw dimensions in the Dennis Carpenter catalog that said something else (5 - 9/16). I'm not sure which one is right. It's not a big difference between 5-3/4 and 5-9/16, but I'm afraid when you consider there are 7 boards x 3/16" difference each, that it will really be off. If someone has a stock bed with wood in it and can measure it, that might clear up what is right.

 

I can't help you there. There are plenty of guys here with stock beds, it shouldn't be too long before someone comes along and gives you an answer

good luck
Bobby

 

I'm not even certain Ford ever had specs so exact for the wood width. I have cut sets using 5 1/2 and also 5 3/4 width. A minor adjustment to the rabbet width will yield an identical appearance on the topside after assembly. I found the 5 3/4 difficult to install due to very close tolerances it creates with the hold down carriage bolts.

One other thing, do yourself a favor and do not cut the countersinks for the main hold down bolt washers until you do a test fit. You'll get a nicer job if you do a test fit and mark center from the bottomside.

 

Been wondering about the wisdom of buying pre-drilled bed wood for that very reason. What a nightmare if the holes for the "bed to frame" bolts don't line up with the bed supports underneath!

 

Yeah, those of us with the longbeds have learned not to make assumptions, huh?

 

I've noticed some of the pre-cut wood sets I've seen use extra wide rabbets and clearances on everything. Fits em all, but just doesn't look quite as good.