My 52 F3 came with a no Ford script stake bed. Home built? I have been searching for a good complete pickup bed. Found one complete but it's rough and about a 18 to 20 hour drive one way.


I got pics texted to me from the seller and of coarse the floor is gone which is expected. Its pretty straight and has a good tailgate but my concern is with the rust in the lower sections of the sides where it met the bed.


As hard as these are to find should I not be too picky? I can weld and fabricate but want to be sure this one is worth the effort. The 20 footer pics looked good but the close ups concern me.


If I could post pics from my phone I would.

 

There is always going to be rust on something this old. Is it worth it? No one here can tell you without seeing pics.

Shortbox F1 stuff is much easier to find than the bigger truck stuff, so you may have to make some concessions there.

 

I just got some more detailed pics. I don't think it's worth it at the distance I have to drive. He wants $500 which is probably fair but, I don't want the added expense of a 4 day road trip for the amount of work its going to require.


I can find a boat load of F1 parts here. I really would like to keep it as a long bed if I can. I'll just have to be patient and keep looking as I work on what I have.

 

Keep plugging away. Good luck on the search

 

If anybody closer wants to consider it, its on craigslist in Richardson South Dakota. Sioux Falls listing.


He has the running boards available and it looks like he might want to sell the whole truck if someone is interested. It's a 1950 F2. If I had the space to part out a truck I would probably go get this sucker if the price was right.


I'm spoiled being in rust free AZ. I've seen some of the rust buckets people have restored.


Make sure to rub it in my face if someone gets it and makes it awesome.

 

Here's my 2-cents...
I bought an Express bed from a member here about six years ago. My truck had a missing bed and I didn't really want a homemade or wooden one if possible. Had it shipped about 2,000 miles to Maine. It had dents, holes and some rust but was in decent shape overall and I was fortunate to get it as a standalone item.
I had it sandblasted and of course it revealed a lot of weak areas in the bottom structure. I was still feeling good about it, since the eight foot beds are as rare as a blue lobster on this planet.
I brought the bed to a welder and spent a fair amount of money to get it back in solid condition. (see picture #1) He made it stronger than when it was new, and it now will last another 60 years. In my opinion, the bed is what makes an F2/F3 unique. You can also fit a lot of cargo inside (see picture #2 and #3) while still making it look cool and win praise for it's appearance compared to 1/2 ton trucks, all things being equal in a car show (see picture #4). No regrets at all.

So, to anyone thinking about an 8-foot bed for sale - I say go for it.

Tom

 

You did an AMAZING job on that truck! I may kick myself later for walking away from this. If it was closer I might have at least took a REAL GOOD look at it.

 

You call this number: 519 848 5252, ask for George (not sure of the company name). I talked to him, he said he makes the 8ft bed. You can ask about shipping, and I dont know the qaulity. You can ask for pictures, info etc.

 

This ain't one of those "I know a guy who know's this guy" things is it? Ha ha.


Thanks KG. I have another option now.

 

Hard to tell exact condition from the pictures but it looks pretty fair. I paid alot more than that for one and still needs alot of work. If i was closer i would consider it as well.

Good luck

 

That's Pro's Pic in Canada. They build some beds and bed parts for Mid-Fifty. They have been talking about building complete long beds, but from what I was told at the Supernationals, they were not building them at that time. As for quality, they are very high quality.
Also, the long bedsides that they are building are NOT the raised panel.

 

The guy selling the bed in South Dakota e-mailed me and said he had no takers.


He ended up scrapping it! AHHHHHH!!!!

 

I found this truck with the wrong bed on it, which is the right bed for you. FYI

46 Ford pickup

 

That's a nice looking truck.

 

Thanks! It's a long shot but, I sent an e-mail.


I found a few more in other states. All seem to be about a 20 hour drive or more. I guess I gotta do what I gotta do to get one.