Thanks Sam

It's not perfect, but as I tell folks, 'I'm not a craftsman, I'm a hobbyist'.

 

If you want I have a lot of pics of the work on the truck at Joe's 1950 Ford F5 Stake truck - OnPitRoad's Photos

I have more on my computer, so if you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask.

 

Those are nice step-by-step shots, and will be helpful when I start mine. Thanks again for sharing.

Joe

 

I looked at all your bed construction pics again. Is your bed 12 feet long? And does it extend beyond the rear of the truck frame about a foot or so?

 

Yes it does, it appears that at one time somebody cut part of the frame off at the back. When I got the truck, the steel flatbed hung almost 4 feet off the frame. Since I don't intend to carry any real weight the 2 3/4" x 6" oak beams will easily support it.

 

My truck frame extends 8 feet from the cab. If it's supposed to be 9 feet long (which I really don't know) then someone cut it off too. But if I make a wooden bed for it, it won't be a big deal, I'll never haul any real weight with it either.

Did you get your oak from a mill? I noticed the TN plates. I am in southern CA, and no one here has ever seen a sawmill. You mentioned you had ready access to the wood, or already had it. What types of wood would you recommend for a bed, if I can't find oak in that size? And I think it's worth repeating... that bed you made is beautiful.

 

Yes, I got all of the wood from a local sawmill (5 miles from my home) I used oak for it's strength, availability and appearance. Pine was used by Ford on a lot of these old trucks, but I would not recommend it for the structural (frame) sections. Sawmills are all over the place yet few ever advertise. I don't know where one's close to you are, but here are some sources to check out. Find a sawmill in California if none of these are real close, you may want to contact one or nore of them and inquire about mills close to you. If you find a mill close but don't have a planer, the mill should be able to give you info on somebody close to plane lumber. Here is another list WOODWEB's Sawing and Drying Directory

 

OK, I take back what I said about sawmills in CA. Two of these are within 60 miles of my house.

Thanks for the references.

 

I would call them as they may know of some even closer to you. As for the type of wood to use, you really want a good hardwood if you're using it for the framework. Talk to the mills about what hardwoods are available in your area.

 

Not to change the subject (OK, I am), but what kind of wheels do you have on your F5?

 

They are 19.5 Budd rims off of a 1980's motor home with 8R19.5 tires.

 

They look great. Are they painted or powder coated?

 

Cheap spray paint, they don't look that good up close

 

Hey, there's nothing wrong with a 20-foot finish.

 

I may have a line on a flatbed for the truck. It measures a little over 6' 7" x 8' with beams 34" apart (matches the truck chassis). It's a foot shorter than a stock Ford 9' bed, but I think it will look ok.

Opinions?