I would like to continue off from this thread:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...rket-beds.html

It seems there are a few vendors to choose from:

(Note: I'm just editing this list as I get new info, so if I have one of them classified wrong, let me know)

Vendor Only
-----------------------
Mid-Fifty
Mid-West Early Ford (midwestearlyford.com)
LMC (lmctruck.com)


Manufacturer
-----------------------
mack-products.com
Dennis Carpenter
Hot Rod's Classic (hotrodstrucks.com)
Mar-K
Northern Classic Trucks (northernclassictrucks.com)
pros-pick.com

In the previous thread people talked about what they used, but no one really talked about/compared them to the original. I was told that the beds used on '57+ had the fenders set 1" higher...hence the aftermarket beds should be based on the 53-56 years and not those years afterwards that used a similar bed.

So, what are the pro's vs con's - do they all match the original exactly?

I really like the Bed Roll Hot Lite'z on the Pro's Pick bed but I also love that the Dennis Carpenter bed can come already pre-tubbed.

So...what are the pro's and con's?

 

I suspect a lot of the above vendors are wholesalers for Mack Products. Mack was the first to reproduce Ford beds, starting in the 70s. I personally haven't purchased their stuff, and I hang out with the restoration crowd, but everything I have seen from Mack looked great. Website here: Ford |

edit: Mack Products should not be confused with Mac's Auto Parts, the latter being a large retailer.

 

Some of those places you listed are just retailers and don't make anything....

I have used Mar K beds (they make them) and related parts in the past. Good quality, correct gauge metal, and fit right. Can't speak for any of the others.

 

Jerry...I have firsthand experience with the 14 ga bed sold by Midfifty and the Mar-K bed. Mar-K is as close to the OEM bed as possible, very good quality and the metal is zinc plated for corrosion resistance. The Midfifty 14 ga bed is made of heavy steel and is very resistant to dings. The bed is not an OEM clone...it has clean angles on the header panel where it meets the bed sides and there are no stake pockets. This bed is made here in LA and can be picked up at the manufacturer's warehouse in Wildomar.

 

Chuck - I didn't know the f100 series originally came with stake pockets - I thought that was a F1 feature. I guess a lot of people must remove those on the originals!

Do you like the midfifty over the Mar-K?

 

I spoke with Mack about a complete bed for my 48 F1 with the reveal sides. Complete bed with stock steel floor and tailgate $2800. You can get a wood floor at no extra cost. Crating is $100. Freight from MO to Phoenix, AZ would be $700. So-Cal Arizona uses them for their supplier and they were in the restoration business long before they became a So-Cal franchisee.

Philip

 

There are pros and cons with each:
For someone who wishes to have as close to original as possible the Mar-K is better. If you want a heavier gauge bed (extra weight on the rear axle is always a plus) that is more durable and will be less susceptible to damage, then the 14 ga Midfifty bed is better. Since I can pick up the 14 ga bed locally and save the shipping, that is usually enough to sway my decision. Here is a pic of Charlie's 55 with the Mar-K bed that I did for him. The tailgate inlay, the welded seams, and the capped ends on the top rolls are extras...the option to have the stake pockets left closed comes from the factory that way if you choose it at purchase time. There are at least 5 trucks in our local club chapter that have the 14 ga bed.