Hey, I am starting to work on my truck for the winter. I will be replacing the entire box and bed on my 1948 f1. I was wondering if there is anything I should know? Also a good source for a replacment box.

I have done some searching and found some from $850 - $2499. Is there something I should make sure they have?

thanks for the help.

Todd

 

Hotrodsclassictruckparts, Rod and Denise are the best mom and pop dealer around and some good prices too.

 

Hey Todd,
Welcome Aboard! I looked at your truck (red & black two tone) -
it looks pretty good - what's up with the bed?

We replaced all our fenders with fiberglass - too much work to fix - mostly bondo minimal steel. We worked hard to save the Bed & Cab so we could still say we had a 1950. We replaced most of the under cab structure & the remains of the steel over wood bed.

The '48-'50's have a slightly different looking Bed than others - there is a
half circle on each bed side. You will find our Beds to be a premium cost vs. the clean sided later models.

Good luck over there! We used Midwest Early Ford for our parts - very good folks - family run. (A pic of our Bed below).

Ben in Austin
1950 F1

 

The person who owned the truck before me tubed it and I firgured it would be cheaper to replace the box then fix it.

 

Northern Classic Trucks is close to you and make an excellent bed from everything I've heard.
Northern Classic Trucks - Reproduction parts for your antique Ford truck .
I realize MI isn't a quick drive, but...

 

There is a significant price difference between a true 48-50 bed than the late 50-52 bed because of the complexity of the bed construction. If you want an authentic 48 bed, it will have stamped steel sides (raised panels) and a floor that is stamped steel over a wood base. You do not see the wood from above in the earlier bed. Note that the tailgates are different and the rear fenders a slightly different to fit around the raised panels in the sides of the bed.

 

Might give Classic Haulers F-1 Parts - Home a call they can tell you what the differences are in their beds. There are very thin ga. Chinese clones to HD extra thick versions, rolled edges, teardrop edges, plain steel rub strips and a number or different installation method stainless rub strips.

 

I have a 49 F1 and I have the bed off and the wood out.

I left the steel in the bed and am repairing it.

It is quit costly to go with the original steel over wood but my bed is in good shape and I will repair it.

I do not know if any one makes the whole kit but the steel bed and sides are available for a high price.

 

I'm building a box for a '48 F-1 PU. I'll try and upload some pictures.

 

Some extra pictures

 

Todd

I have a '49 parts truck with original bed sides (no floor or tailgate) that's not too far from Appleton. Let me know if you want to take a look.

DW

 

According to the classic hauler's web site, if you decide to buy parts to rebuild or assemble a bed, that the parts from one manufacturer likely won't fit with another manufacturer's or OEM parts, be sure to check or buy a complete kit.

 

You're definitely on the right track there. If the PO hacked up the bed subframe when tubbing in addition to the bed sides, and I don't see how he wouldn't have, you'll be time and money ahead replacing the whole thing. Sure, it's a chunk of money all at once, but when you consider the amount of the truck that just a few thousand dollars there finishes, it's not a bad deal. Check with Mack Hils for a direct supplier. He's one of the people that actually make the stuff.

 

Hey Todd,
What Fortyniner is offering sounds interesting - Personally I'd take
the sides & then put in an after market wood bed. I'd skip the metal over wood bit - too much work & not necessary - the after market wood beds will fit in there nicely & they run under $500. I do like the half moon detail on the sides & the ribbed look up toward the cab - makes the '48-'50 look a little different.

Good luck over there. Would be nice to have the Bed to work on over the winter & as Merc said - it's half the truck.

Ben in Austin

 

try northern Classics

Ford Truck Parts and Repair Panels for your classic truck at Northern Classic Trucks