Probably dumb question, where the hell do I mount the bed? None of the holes line up... And the cab is at body shop... And I don't like how the running boards line up...

 

 

 

I would think the best way would be to set the cab on and just insure you have enough space between the cab and the bed. In your spot, wouldn't it work to align the bed up with the running boards. They are fixed properly on the frame so you could use that as a reference. I would think there should be a little frame extending out the back so you can attach the bumper.

Do NOT assume I am anywhere close to correct. Someone knowledgeable will be along shortly.

 

JRD

Yo don't need the cab in place....the bed will only fit in one place. There are two 'L" shaped tabs that are on the inside of the rear crossmember...the holes in them bolt to the last hole in each frame rail...

at the front there are two "L" shaped brackets that mount on the outside of the frame rails. The front crossmember bolts to these brackets

here's some pics






later
john

 

Thx jn, pics help a lot. What is the "z" shaped front crossmember?

 

And what are your blocks of wood for in your pics?

 

And on my front crossmember, the mounting tube for my front crossmember doesn't line up to the mounting hole. It's centered on the frame on each side.

 

My truck is an F2 so the bed is different. However, that bed looks a lot like the Chevy bed I brought back from Colorado to make my Jeep trailer. Is it possible, not sure but maybe.....
since the holes don't line up.

Paul

 

The "Z" cross member is the one with the tubes welded to it. It's the one you said the tubes line up with the frame, not with the brackets.

The wood in his pics is where the wood floor will be when he assembles the bed completely.

It looks like when you moved your rear cross member, for the gas tank relocation, you bolted it on through the holes for the rear bed brackets.
(just a guess on my part)

Added note: It also looks like the next to rear bed cross member is back on the bed one hole too far. It should be on the sloped part of the frame (where it is crowning over the rear axle) not on the flat part.

 

Can't be a chevy. The ford fenders mount perfect to the bed, and hers the 2 tailgates that came with it. It is a 57-72 ford stepside bed, but the only difference should be the fenders are mounted higher than 53-56 stepside bed.

 

Effie, I did relocate one crossmember to the very back, and turned it upside down. Im curious what people are doing for the mustang style tank, 22 gallon, under the bed. Because you must cut out one crossmember.

 

If I'm not mistaken, the tubes on the "Z" cross member DO line up with the frame, not with brackets, on the newer style bed.

Also, I added a note to my post, it looks like the next to rear bed cross member is back on the bed one hole to far. It should rest on the crowned part of the frame, not the flat part.

 

I think that's the problem. It's right side up, not up side down. It needs to be up side down, or you will need to trim some of the rear bed brackets back to clear it.

 

That bed looks a lot like my 51 bed. There was a 53 up tailgate on it when I bought it. It does have the tube over the frame and is bolted to it.