I need a flatbed for my 1948 F4. Were can I get one? Thought the re was a after market manufature somewhere????
Help

 

Howdy,

I bought a Reading 8 x 12 flat bed from a local guy in the Little Nickle
.....It came with a 2000lb Waltco liftgate.
It was on a 70's F350.

They're everywhere....



Regards,


Rick

 

It depends on what you want. If you just want a basic, working flatbed, then you can find them almost anywhere. Knapheide, Fontaine, and several other companies manufacture them, I'm sure you can find one pretty easily.

If you want an original Ford scripted flatbed or a reproduction of an original, that's a bit more difficult. I have seen a company (Northern something, I think) that was making reproduction flatbeds and stake sides, but the last I heard they had dropped that product line. I'm sure someone will be along with better info on them. The other option is to prowl junkyards, the newspaper, and online classifieds.

Oh, and Welcome to FTE!

 

Northern Classic Trucks did make reproduction Ford script flatbeds at one time but no longer does. They ran around $3500 for the F-1 to around $4500 for the larger ones, if I remember correctly. As far I know no one else makes them. I think it has a lot to do with the hassle of dealing with Ford on licensing agreements.

I have a stock bed on my F-4 and I am in the middle of doing a full drawing of the bed. I just don't have time right now to complete it. I have the unfinished drawing on my web site but you will need a program like AutoCad that can open a .dwg file. I don't have dimensioning but the drawing is drawed full sized so you can take dimensions from it.

www.fatfenderedtrucks.com/48_51flatbed/bed.dwg

 

Not to highjack the thread or anything.. but I am new to the F-1.. I got my 48 from my Uncle that passed away.. it has been in a garage since 75' and I pulled it out 4 years ago... all original.. It as a Flat bed on it, I just assumed that they put it on, since it was ordered as a Frame and Cab, per the VIN and someone built the flatbed.

Can anyone tell me what to look for if it is an original Ford Flat bed ?

Here are a few shots of the Truck... the day that I towed it home...
Image hosting, free photo sharing & video sharing at Photobucket

I am in the process of trying to get everything working and then re-register it.. so far I have redone the fuel system (tank, lines, pump and carb) and Cooling system (radiator hoses, pump, thermostat). Engine now runs and it has moved under its own power for the 1st time in 33 years..(not very far LOL).

Next will be the electrical and some Tires (if any of you have read any of my question in my post, you know what I have been through, but nothing real bad). And them maybe the restore of the frame and body.. no major rust, but a few bad spot and a lot of surface rust from sitting around 33+ years..

 

I looked at your pictures, nice truck, but the flatbed is not a Ford flatbed. The back bar would be slightly pitched down from both sides and have the Ford script lettering in the center.

This is the F-1 bed Northern Classic used to reproduce:



Last June one of the board members, 52'F-3 had a brand new bed he was trying to sell for $750, a steal IMO. He had it listed in the swap area but I don't know if he sold it or decided to keep it. He's located in PA, it would probably cost a fortune to ship to CA.

Ford-Truck Enthusiasts Classifieds - Flatbed with side rails, like new - Powered by PhotoPost Classifieds

 

BobJ.. thanks for the info.. I figured it was a local Flatbed install.. as I am sure it was shipped to the local dealer and had some local equiepemnt shop added flatbed..

The Speedo has 36k on it.. but I am sure that there is more, as the cable was disconnected. so, other than the Flatbed, everything else seem stock or original, Interior is still there and no major rips

 

look at my gallery for a 1948 F-1 original stake bed
with original wood
I have never seen another one out there

Joe

 

Great information everyone! Thank you.
Im also thinking of making it lift with hydraulics.
Any examples out there?

 

Reamer had a F-5 or 6 with a tilt bed, he had it for sell, I don't remember if he sold it but he he had some pictures in the swap area, I bet he has more:



Ford-Truck Enthusiasts Classifieds - 1948 F-5 3 year re-build Solid Rims too! - Powered by PhotoPost Classifieds

 

My truck has a dumping flatbed, there are some photos in my gallery. Let me know if you need any specific pictures of it.

 

I would love to see some pics. hinge and pump and any shot with it up.

Thanks

 

That fatty is great with the lift up there! Thanks