Nice job there! It is actually correct to have the boards inside the stakes. I know of nothing from the factory that came the other way. Pressure from a load forces the boards tighter to the supports, rather than trying to push them off. Also, carraige bolts are always placed with the head to the inside, nuts and washers out. Picture a load of kitchen cabinets with the bolts oriented the other way, or a little league team sitting in the bed, leaning against the racks.

 

Good points (no pun intended). I am still designing my bed in my head, and wondered how that would look, but structurally your answer makes more sense.

 

Harrier- here are some more pics of the toolboxes I built in as part of the flatbed on my 49 Merc. As noted in my earlier post this was intended as a temporary bed while I work on my original long box so the workmanship is pretty basic. They are just made of PT lumber with a piano hinge door and simple latch for now. Primary reason for them was to hide the sculpted end of the original running board.

The bed is attached to the frame with pieces of angle iron bolted to the frame and then bolted to the wood crossers with 1/2" bolts.

I guess I've got the rails on the wrong side of the stakes based on other posts and the explanation given makes sense but its too late for me to change at this point and my sides are not interchangeable as I tapered the front of the bed to match the width of the cab rather than have the front corners of the bed stick out past the cab.

 

Thanks for that info 49'er this thread is going to be very helpful when the time comes for me to build my own.

Bryan, I fear I've hijacked your thread a little, but all these different wood beds are an awesome instruction opportunity for someone planning on the same thing.

Speaking of which, here is the gallery of Edith and Joe's beautiful work on that bed.
1950 Ford F450 4x2 - 1950 F5

Now, back to what you are going to do with the aft end.

 

No worries Joe. I agree its nice to see details how other folks are fabricating their flatbeds. Sadly I've been out of town for work this week and will be in Oregon this weekend so no progress.