55 Ford Bed Assembly

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Sep 24, 2012 | 03:43 PM

ungerp

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55 Ford Bed Assembly

I received my replacement sides and rear sill beam. I have the new front bulkhead secured to the sides. I have double checked the width at the rear of the bed and with the new sides it seems there are stops if you will as to where the rear sill beam should stop. My question is where should I weld this rear sill beam to the sides? On the inside since I still have the rear sill beam cover to add once this is completed.

Thanks
Pat

Sep 24, 2012 | 07:05 PM

raerjim

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Joined: May 2006

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From: S.W. Florida

Pat, I think if you could clarify your question, it would help us answer it.. What's a rear sill beam "cover"?

Sep 24, 2012 | 07:37 PM

ungerp

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OK, there is the rear sill beam which is what the rear of the bed rests on top of the frame. The rear sill beam cover is an additional piece that covers the rear sill beam and basically makes everything flush and clean on the back of the bed.

Hope this helps. I don't think originally they had the cover, but for custom and looks, they came up with this piece to dress up the rear sill beam after it got rusty and narly looking.

Pat

Sep 24, 2012 | 10:41 PM

CharlieLed

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From: Brentwood, TN

Here is a photo of the last one that I did...I drill a 3/8ths hole in the stake pocket, fit the sill, and then weld through the hole into the sill. The photo probably does a better job of explaining than my words...

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Sep 25, 2012 | 12:23 AM

old_dan

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From: Morgan Hill, CA

Hey Charlie....those are called Rosette welds...now you've had your dose of trivia for the night!!

Dan

Sep 25, 2012 | 10:36 AM

CdnWillyG

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From: Stony Plain,AB Canada

Quote:

Originally Posted by ungerp

As far as I know Pat, the sides are only bolted to the cross members thru the wood and bolted/welded on the front box panel. Not sure that is what you are wanting to do but thought I should let you know that.

Sep 25, 2012 | 11:51 AM

ungerp

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Thanks guys, There are three holes on the stake holes similar to CharlieLed's post. I think I will spot in this hole, on the outside bottom and the inside bed flange. After that if I decide to install the sill cover panel, I will butt weld the stake flanges and the cover to the sill plate and grind and fill that.

Thanks,
Pat

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Sep 25, 2012 | 12:15 PM

CharlieLed

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From: Brentwood, TN

I was never happy with the sheetmetal sill on these beds. They rust out easily and they never really added much support to the bed itself. Since my bed floor is elevated to make room for the travel of the differential (the truck is lowered), I did not need the sill as a mounting point for the bed floor. I opted to use a 2x4 length of 0.125 wall square tubing in place of the stock sill. This makes the bed very rigid and gives me quite a bit of protection from any rearend mishap. I trimmed the stake pockets on each side and welded them to the ends of the new sill. Here is a pic that shows the sill and the "hidden" hinge setup...

Attached Images