My 47 Ford flatbed/stake bed doesn't have the Ford script engraved on the back bed rail. Does this mean it's not the original bed frame or did Ford produce some without the script? The VIN identifies the truck as a 1-ton stake bed. Thanks in advance. Roy

 

If its a flat bed, then Ford did not make the bed. Even today flat beds are not made by Ford, Chevy or Dodge.

 

The serial number Prefix is 799Y (VIN is 799Y1556774) which I understand identifies it as 1-ton truck. The data plate is missing from the glove-box door but the VIN is stamped into the frame rail near engine on drivers side.

Is there any place other than the data plate that I can find the body type identified? I understand the body type/model# code for a stake-bed is "86" but without the data plate I guess the truck could have originally been an express (83), panel (82), chassis-cab (81), or chassis windshield (85).The wheelbase is 122 in. The truck has 16" wheels which I assume have been changed from 17". Any help with question will be appreciated.

Did Ford manufacture a stake-bed frame that did not have the script on the rear-end of the bed frame? If the answer is "no", and my VIN is right, then I guess I can only assume the truck was a different model or someone replaced the bed frame at one time. Again, thanks in advance for your help. Roy

 

All Ford stake beds had "FORD" stamped on the back rail. Actually, the first ones were on Model Ts, and they had "FORD TRUCK" in script on the back. Model As Just had the "FORD" script, which continued until the late 50s, when it was changed to block letters. The block lettered "FORD" stake beds were produced until sometime in the early 80's. Ford made all of these beds in house, so they were all logoed. Your bed is aftermarket.
Chuck

 

I also have a 47 flatbed without data plate on glove box door and no ford script.

 

Chief-e9

Ford did quite a bit back in the day to satisfy their customers. Your truck might have been ordered as a cab a chassis only, or it may have been a pickup.
As for the stake platform it may have come off a different truck such as a G.M or Dodge, etc that the person might have had been using on his other truck. then when the new truck came along it was bolted to the frame.

I had a 1937 Ford 1/2 ton pickup that had an Anthony Dump Body pickup bed on it, which was custom made for the truck, MFG in Streator, IL.
The fenders and running boards bolted right up to it, as though tirolled off the line as such.
The truck worked in the Kansas wheat fields, then onto Colorado, the finally to North Dakota. I was the third owner of this truck, and checked out the history on it.
I also did research on the dump body by Anthony who are today still in business. Coachbult.com - Anthony Company

So with this being said its possible in either case on your truck a Stake, or a Pickup.
Hope this sheds a little info on the subject.

 

I think there might be some confusion as to what a stake be is. Flat beds can be called stake bodies, but for a long time pickup boxes were called stake beds due to the fact you can put stakes in the pocket. Thats why flat beds today are refered to stake bodies.
Like I said earlier...if its a flatbed, Ford didnt make it. Ford made the cab and chassis, someone else made the bed. In fact, the early model T trucks were modded cars. Henry at the time didnt make trucks, until he saw how trucks were moving material and goods did he change his mind.

 

The only thing I can figure is my truck was built as a 1-ton cab/chassis model but since the glove box data plate is missing I don't know how to confirm body type; unless someone knows another location on the frame or body. Can't use engine/transmission data since drive-train has been changed. I do wish there was someway to identify if my bed was commercially built during that period. It sure looks professionally built. Again, thanks for the replies.