Flatbed question
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
From: Northern Kentucky
Flatbed question
Im wanting to turn my 55 f100 into a flatbed, and i have a question.
Where can i find the left and right side beams that have the holes for a side panels to be put in and removed.
Same for the front cross member, do they sell em with the support holes or is that something custom? (support holes im talkin about are circled in the picture)
Where can i find the left and right side beams that have the holes for a side panels to be put in and removed.
Same for the front cross member, do they sell em with the support holes or is that something custom? (support holes im talkin about are circled in the picture)
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 7,669
Likes: 13
From: San Jose, CA
Any trailer retailer should have the weld-on exterior stake pockets. There are two different types, tapered on the inside and untapered. I bought a few to add to my trailer for the stake sides that I built.
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 91
Likes: 0
From: Belleville, IL
Don't places like Lowe's, Home Depot, and Menard's (if they're in your area) have things like that for decks? I seem to recall seeing them somewhere---when I wasn't looking for them, of course!
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 7,669
Likes: 13
From: San Jose, CA
Those are made out of thin sheetmetal. Don't use them. The actual stake side pockets are made from thick steel and are commercial grade.
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 91
Likes: 0
From: Belleville, IL
Good to know. I just saw them when I wasn't looking!
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,636
Likes: 11
From: Crossville, Tn
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
From: Northern Kentucky
What was used for the Left and Right beam for the frame. Do i need to make my own beams? Or are they sold from "example" Tractor Supply?
Harleymsn, you said you have a wood frame, what made you do that instead of a steel frame.
Harleymsn, you said you have a wood frame, what made you do that instead of a steel frame.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!
Michael S. Palmer
The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)
Joe Kucinski
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,663
Likes: 1,249
From: Jefferson City, MO
Actually, I'm looking at wood for that and another couple of reasons. Wood will be cheaper and I can work with wood more than I can work with steel. (Yeah, I can't do any body work....yet. I will have to hire that out when it's time.)
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,636
Likes: 11
From: Crossville, Tn
Like Harrier, I don't have the equipment or the skills to do the steel fabrication. That was part of the reason I did it out of wood, the other is the fact that I have the equipment, skills and available lumber to do almost anything I want to with wood.
And yes Joe, it does look incredibly COOL!
I would venture to say that the steel for the side beams alone would cost more than all the wood for my entire bed and sides.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 6,599
Likes: 34
From: Rockingham, VA
Joe
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,636
Likes: 11
From: Crossville, Tn
As for the running lights, I had a bunch of old trailer lights in the barn and used them. I ran a piece of plastic electrical conduit from under the cab (inside the frame rails) to the rear crossmembers and ran the tail, brake and turn signal wires through it. I then spliced into the tail light line there and ran a hot and ground line along the inside of the wood beams the length of the bed. The lights are screwed into the wood and I drilled through the wood bringing the wires into the light housing. I ran the wires from each light along the cross beams and spliced them into the line along the main beam. I also spliced into the line in the back for the license plate light.
Here are some pics so you can follow what I did.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,771
Likes: 9
From: Western Washington
Joe, that has got to be one of the prettiest trucks around, I love the woodwork on it! I've been around woodworking a little, and I know how tough it can be to make something that nice looking. The wood bed compliments the cab color nicely too.
Sam
Sam
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 6,599
Likes: 34
From: Rockingham, VA
Thanks Joe. I downloaded all Bob Jones' PDFs of the 9 foot bed. Those should make this a lot easier.
And those pictures are helpful also, and really show off the beauty of that wood bed.
Joe
And those pictures are helpful also, and really show off the beauty of that wood bed.
Joe