Since I've seen your truck (inside and out) I would have to say the only things that are noticeable are the extra holes the PO drilled in the bed sides... and I didn't notice them until you pointed them out.

Now I'm going to have to check it out at Truckstock to see what you're talking about.

And more kudos again for driving your truck that far again.

 

Well, happy birthday to me. My wife walked in this morning and told me to order some parts for Betsy. So I did. I hope I get Tootsie Rolls with my order...

Since I was able to get both sides original taillight mounting brackets, I want to put the original style taillights on Betsy. The later style I have on her now required some fabbed brackets for the studs to align for mounting (too wide).






And since I've needed one since I got the truck, and I'd like to put more gas in the tank, I decided to finally get the hose so I don't have to worry about a leak if I fill the tank.



You may remember I have the left rear cab resting on the frame. It really squeaks under normal driving, but over bumps, it's annoying. And I want to get the bed off the frame.



Now I'll have something to do on Betsy when we get home from Truckstock.

 

Christmas in September!


Woohooo, that should keep you busy for a little while


Bobby

 

Joe I think your skills on the contrasting script looks great! What type of wood did you use for the stringers, and what do you have planned for the deck planks? I have no idea what should be used.

 

Thanks Howard.

I cut the 1/2" plywood that I originally used for the bed into strips to fit the "new" script bed. I painted them black again because they were showing wear from using Betsy as a truck!

My "plan" is to someday replace that plywood with thicker (1.5") wood, which will be the right thickness to prevent the bowing of the front of four of the 8 bed strips.

The 1/2" plywood cut into strips and notched to miss the front stake pockets.



Here's the problem with using thinner boards. If you look at the front of the (from the left) 1st, 3rd, 6th and 8th bed strips, they hit the stake pockets and won't go down as far as the rest of the strip. It's because the plywood isn't thick enough to clear the stake pocket. Of course, I didn't learn this until I was installing the strips...



As for what type of wood "should" be used, that all depends on what you want to do with your truck. If you are going to work your truck, I think I'd use 3/4" or 1" exterior grade plywood. It's durable, and would need replacing periodically only if gouges became a problem. I don't plan to use Betsy like she was intended because I have another truck that will go faster and I don't mind scratching the bed. It won't haul as much weight, but it will allow me to work and leave Betsy looking good.

So, I haven't answered your question because I haven't decided what type of wood to use. And as long as the plywood is working, I'm in no rush to replace it. I like the look of oak, but I've seen pics of some really beautiful bed wood here on FTE.

 

Hey Joe,
Wow - does that new script bed look good or what!! Beautiful!

Ben in Austin
1950 F1

 

That script bed looks SWEET on there, and your highlighted script makes it POP! I like it.

 

Thanks Ben.

Thanks Jimmy.

 

Had a chance this afternoon to do a little work on Betsy. So I decided to start with the taillight exchange. I recently got original type taillights from Classic Haulers and have been wanting to remove the newer style taillights I installed earlier because I now have both sides of the flatbed original lamp brackets.

I also looked through my box-o-parts that came with the truck and found the original license plate bracket, which needed a little clean up before using it.

Here's the original license plate bracket. It even has a DUOLAMP stamp in it, like the name on the taillights.



And an after shot with it all prettied up.



I got the left taillight installed and wired up but I'll wait to add pics until the job is done.

 

Nice!
I'm glad you're making some progress.


I haven't done a thing. I have big plans but...that's as far as its gotten. I think I will drive the truck across the state for a Veteran's Day car show. Maybe that will get me motivated to get something done.


Bobby

 

I am glad you found the original license bracket. It looks nice.

Cant wait to see you taillights on and lit up.

 

Awesome! Glad to see some progress after you exciting trip.

 

Thanks Bobby.

The cross-state car show trip sounds like a good motivator. Go for it!

 

Thanks Abe.

I vaguely remembered having that bracket, and sure enough, it was right where I left it... in the box-o-parts. I knew it was the stock license bracket because I took it apart when I first started working on the truck. I used it with the first taillight I put on Betsy.

 

Thanks Joe.

It's amazing how enjoyable it was to take my mind off things for a few hours and work on the truck.