I have a 1950 F1 and I have a spare 1948 bed, both front panels are welded at the top where they meet the bed sides. I want to replace the 50 front panel with the 48 panel because it is perfect with no dents or rust. Is that a factory weld? And the next question is what has anyone used instead of rivets to put it back. I'm not going for originalty. Thanks for any help.

 

I don't know if they were welded from the factory or not. Mine were welded and broken loose when I got it and the panel was in bad shape. I ended up making my own and welding the top tube to the sides for strength.

To attach the sides, I used stainless steel button head screws.

 

Where the front panel top tube attaches to the bed sides, the weld there is factory. You can bolt the panels together instead of riveting if you want.

 

What else are you doing to this bed?
I would sure like to see some pic going to start on my bed later this summer

 

I used SS bolts on mine. (I know, the battery cables are not done)

 

looks nice jimmy do you have any pic of the under side or is it stock
and may be a pic of the top at the flare out side is there a bolt my bed is welded there on the in side

 

ok but it wii take a few minutes.

 

OK im back,, as you can see, I did not re-weld the top corner which was the way it was when I got it, as for under the truck there was not any stock welds or bolts, the bed wood just rests on the lip, and is bolted to the cross member (which is just behind the panel lip). I hope this helps you.

 

Jimmy,
your bed looks really nice. Great job.

 

I cheated....I used Hi-Shear rivets. They look like a rivet, but you install them by screwing a nut-like fastener on the other side...when the torque is right, the nut shears off leaving behind a nub of a rivet head. The outside looks like a rivet.

 

Jim, what is the tube-looking thing on your bed's stake pocket?

 

I have no idea, all four corners have the same thing. I assumed it was the normal design, it's not?

 

I really like those Dan, They look great, and wont come loose over time.

 

Ross I have those on my bed
Jimmy that is a real nice job looks stock to me my bed was-is very rusty
Thanks for the info

 

thanks to everyone for their suggestions, I like the stainless bolts. If i ever get a decent camera I will post some pics. I have a cheepo camera and the pictures always look a litte blurry, It could be me.