I recently bought a 1959 f-250 4x4 that runs and drives but needs lots of body work. The floor and bed are very rusted out, along with all of the dents in the bed. There is a 2wd version of this pickup very close to where I live that has VERY little rust and less dents, along with some other good parts I could use(They both have a 223). Would it be best to pay about $5-600 for the parts truck or fix the VERY extensive rust? Also, do the 4x4's look cool with a stepside bed?(the parts truck has a step side)

 

Welcome to FTE! here's a couple pics to help you decide:

 

I'd say a rust free parts truck is an incredibly good resource to you right now, but it really depends on just how much work needs to be done, your goals for the truck, and your personal experience with hardcore body work.

Very cool about your truck man, really unique. And I had no clue the 4x4's came with a 223! that's super cool.

Pictures pictures pictures!!!

Oh, and welcome to the site.

 

Thanks stepsides look pretty cool but mines a long wheel base. I have no body work skills at all so I will probably go with the different cab and bed. Also, I cant find a seat anywhere. The one it has in it is on blocks and no one can fit in it very good- the back is too thick. If anyone has one and can ship it or is around Central Texas let me know.

 

Spending $500 to $600 for a truck with a cab in good condition will be better than trying to replace many rusty panels with new ones. Also, does that truck have a seat you can use?

On the bed, there were 8 foot flareside beds available on these trucks, not all were short. If the parts truck has the same wheelbase, the bed will fit.

 

The interior of the parts truck is mainly stripped so it doesn't have the seat. Again, if anyone has a seat for this truck or any other parts let me know. does anyone know if there are any upcoming swap meets near central Texas?

 

I agree a parts truck that has a rust free cab would be the better deal. Only diffrence in cabs were the 4x4 cabs had a triangular reinforcement by the rear door pillar. To remove the cab you would have to remove the front clip as a whole which would be easier. Rusted bolts on the inside fenders are a pain. I used my parts truck alot for door parts, handles, bolts, trim etc. Well worth it. If you want original I would check local. Alot of money to ship. Two types of seats back then standard which was more spring then padding and custom cab which was mainly foam. Seat backs were the same. I would recommend checking craigslist, local adds, wrecking yards periodically. I found a couple of seats at local wrecking yards. Personally I like the custom seat. Is your truck drivable? Let us know how it is going.

 

For a seat, you might want to keep an eye on Craigslist. Last year when I went to SE Texas I did some checking on Craigslist for several cities and found several listings for 57 to 60 pickups and parts within 100 miles of Houston. Another idea, if you are looking for a quick fix to get you by is a seat from a regular cab Ranger. With some cobbling it can work.

 

You might check CT Auto Ranch on I-35 north of Dallas. I found several 50's-60's F series seats there. I bought my seat frame there and had it stripped and rebuilt for a reasonable amount.

Body swap would be the easiest thing if you have no body working skills.

 

It's possible your Styleside has the 118" wheelbase, while the Flareside you're wanting to buy likely is a 110" wheelbase truck.Your Vin tag in the glove-box will tell you what yours is.

Steve

 

I am sorry i haven't posted this yet but my parts truck was sold out from under me but thanks for the info. The CT Auto Ranch sounds like a good deal. Did the seats change in these trucks when the body changed in 1957?

 

to bad your not closer, i could help you out with a seat. i think shipping from sd would kill ya. i think all the 57-60 seats are the same and as far as the bed goes, i know they used up the 57-60 beds into 61 and maybe later. my 60 has the 8' bed with the last 1.5 feet cut off and my 63 has the flareside.

 

There are a couple differences within the 57-60 range.One would be changes in materials in the covers,but the main one is that the Custom Cab has upgraded,padding.When I had my seat re-upholstered,the guy who did it dissuaded me from having my original foam replaced.He convinced me to shave the top dead layer,which was dry and flaking.He topped it with a thinner layer,and told me that foam of the quality in my seat was not available.

If you can find one from a Custom Cab,I'd grab it.I'd like to find one myself to have re-covered in the original Saran material.

Steve

 

I am moving along in my restoration and I can't find any original wheels. I have tried LMC but still can't find anything. Anyone have any Ideas?

 

I have no clue on where you could find some wheels in Texas but your best bet would probably be craigslist or junkyards. This is the cab braces that Idaho211 was talking about. This brace is in my dads 1960 F-250 Factory 4 wheel drive.