But the crossmembers appear to be right-side up in that pic? Is this the bed that used wood underneath steel?

 

52 merc
so that is for the f1/m1?
my 50 merc express box has no metal cross braces,there is 6 wood cross braces and the panels are spot welded to each other to make a frame,and on my box the boards go on top of the metal flange that goes down the sides and across the front,from the looks of julies trailer pics her goes under the flange ...that would make fitting the boards a lot easier.

 

Break out the plasma cutter & cut that perimeter rail off both sides.All you need is the 3 cross rails and the rear bed cross member .Inside bed dimension is 49 1/8 " . The rear bed cross member should be flush on the bottom of the rear stake pockets . The bed sides go inside the front bed panel flange . Check inside bed dimensions on dry fit and cross check dimensions for sq.

 

Yes, this is the framework for the bed that uses the metal floor over wood. The screws you see going into the crossmembers in his other pic holds the wood down. That is the topside.

 

Yes, this is for the half ton bed.

 

That leads to a few questions though.

I'm wondering if the bed sides he got with this frame (that I think you are saying have to be 48-50 to be used with this frame) are the earlier raised panel sides and if he got the fenders with it. I'm also wondering if he's gonna be able to put a 51 wood bed in it or if he will have to go with the metal over wood as on the 48-early 50?

In other words will he have an early 48-50 bed on his 51, or can he set this up to build up a 51/52 bed on it?

 

Since we haven't seen his other parts, it's hard to answer that question. But you are correct in that this framework is to be used with the raised panel bedsides. The sidestep you see in the side rails is for clearance for the wheelhouse impression.

It's certainly possible to use exposed wood for the flooring like the later models. In fact, some places have a wood kit to do exactly that. But since the sides are completely different between the early and later styles, you wouldn't, and really couldn't use this frame with the later style bedsides. The later sides are shorter, and have that 90 degree flange along the bottom that sits on the crossmembers. That is basically the function of the framework side rails, which the raised panel sides rivet onto, and why the early sides have a longer skirt. The later style is a much simpler assembly design.

 

Interesting!

It would also be interesting to see his sheet metal and see what kind of shape it's in.

 

Thank you all for your help with this.
I bought the bed which is off of a 1951 truck and thought that this piece came with it so I took it. The person who I bought it from has had many truck but was working on a 1949 and bought a new after market bed. I will be installing my bed the way that Julie showed in her pictures. Do you think this frame is a good piece that can be sold? Or are people installing the beds the same way that Julie did?
Thanks,
Mike

 

Well I think what we've ascertained is that the frame is from an earlier model that's mounted differently. Mine are both 51 (truck) and 52 (trailer) and if yours is off a 51 it should look like mine - with this frame being an extra piece - for the 48-50 beds.

Can you post a picture of the bed sides?

 

Does the guy you got it from know you have that, since it wasn't part of the bed you got? Are you sure he isn't going to need it, or want it back? It certainly is a good usable, sellable part. But finding someone who a) needs one, and b) is willing to pay money for it, might not be easy. Given the design of the framework and the ability to hold all kinds of dirt and moisture in the crossmembers and between the panels, they are extremely prone to rust and corrosion. But, all of the pieces are available in reproduction, so that keeps value of stock, bent, crusty parts fairly low.

 

Good point. He may have mistankingly given it to you thinking it went along, and now his 48-50 bed (if he has one) is without!

Since you are fooling with your bed, I'm going to post the link for the MAR-K site. These folks are tops in the bed world IMHO. They have all the parts, have great technical support and will answer questions whether you buy from them or not - very nice folks. Their stuff is US made, and they have a tech library with everything from squaring up a new box to wood finishing materials. Check it out!

MAR-K Classic Truck Parts made in Oklahoma City, USA

 

I talked to the guy that sold me the 1951 bed and he has an aftermarket bed that he will be using on his 1949 and will not need this piece. He did sell off the 1949 bed pieces and had this hanging around. Thanks again to all of you.

 

Mystery solved - let Mike haul it to the dump! LOL!

 

Your frame rails are for a 1948 to Early 1950 late 1950 to 52 did not have side rails attached. The cross members bolt to the bedsides.