Flareside bed ?s
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Senior User
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Flareside bed ?s
How bad would it be to put a '72 or older bed on a '79?
Is there that much difference in the two other then the top rails being tilted compared to flat, and the spare tire mount on the side for the older ones?
Is there that much difference in the two other then the top rails being tilted compared to flat, and the spare tire mount on the side for the older ones?
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2012
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From: Washington
72 bedsides have a bump. Also known as one of the bumpside generation. 73-79 have a indented channel running along the body. Also known as a dentside. You can do whatever you want, but it won't look right.
Just saw that you posted about flaresides. Nevermind.
Just saw that you posted about flaresides. Nevermind.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 133
Likes: 1
There is a 2 inch increased wheelbase length on the 73-79 frames in comparison to the older frames, hence if you place an older bed on a newer frame, you will have this 2 inch increased gap between the cab and the bed.
It would make more sense to use a 73-79 flareside bed on the newer frame to avoid this gap and the associated problems of re-drilling the bed holes and weakening it.
Hope that helps some.
Trailering
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 23
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From: Fort Valley, VA
My bed is pretty shot and I was also trying to find a new bed or replacement parts. LMC make a kit for the wooden bed, but I'm having a hard time finding the fenders and tailgate.
I like the color of your truck... is it original?
I like the color of your truck... is it original?
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I honestly haven't checked. I know there is a color similar to it on the Ford paint chart for '79. My bed is pretty bad around the mating parts for the pillars and panels, the fenders are good except under the steps, and my tailgate is past saving.
Big thing I've learned now that is if the wood bed doesn't have the metal trim and has gaps for dirt to fall through the cross members under the bed, the upper shock mounts, and gas tank are holding all of the dirt that falls through. I'm going to have to replace all of them and hope my frame isn't damaged too much!!
Big thing I've learned now that is if the wood bed doesn't have the metal trim and has gaps for dirt to fall through the cross members under the bed, the upper shock mounts, and gas tank are holding all of the dirt that falls through. I'm going to have to replace all of them and hope my frame isn't damaged too much!!
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Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: The Shenandoah Valley
Don't you just hate when that happens ..... ? 
I have a 67 that someone placed the body on a 73-79 frame.
There is a 2 inch increased wheelbase length on the 73-79 frames in comparison to the older frames, hence if you place an older bed on a newer frame, you will have this 2 inch increased gap between the cab and the bed.
... etc ...
There is a 2 inch increased wheelbase length on the 73-79 frames in comparison to the older frames, hence if you place an older bed on a newer frame, you will have this 2 inch increased gap between the cab and the bed.
... etc ...
I've seen earlier fenders (looked same from early 50s through '79) used with some steel sheet to make an almost original looking flareside, the guy just made it a few inches wider so the outer edges were same width as front fenders. Made bed floor of diamond plate steel sheet and finished top of sides and head board with some round steel tubing. I think the two fenders were the only Ford parts used. Looked heavy enough, and heavy duty enough as well.
I've thought that would be the way I'ld go before going flatbed .... if I did either.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 133
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I wonder if the 2 inches is under the cab or under the bed? I believe it'ld be easy to compare bed mount holes to cab back wall distance and determine where the 2" difference is .... it may be in the cab mounting?
I've seen earlier fenders (looked same from early 50s through '79) used with some steel sheet to make an almost original looking flareside, the guy just made it a few inches wider so the outer edges were same width as front fenders. Made bed floor of diamond plate steel sheet and finished top of sides and head board with some round steel tubing. I think the two fenders were the only Ford parts used. Looked heavy enough, and heavy duty enough as well.
I've thought that would be the way I'ld go before going flatbed .... if I did either.
I've seen earlier fenders (looked same from early 50s through '79) used with some steel sheet to make an almost original looking flareside, the guy just made it a few inches wider so the outer edges were same width as front fenders. Made bed floor of diamond plate steel sheet and finished top of sides and head board with some round steel tubing. I think the two fenders were the only Ford parts used. Looked heavy enough, and heavy duty enough as well.
I've thought that would be the way I'ld go before going flatbed .... if I did either.
The cab is fine, it's the 2 inch gap between the cab and bed you get from using this newer frame.
On a 67-72 model short bed, I figured that if one used a flareside bed from a 73-79 along with the cab, it would take up the 2 inch gap, but I have never wanted to try it since I'm in the planning stages of restoring a different truck than my 67.
There is also the possibility that one could modify the frame instead of drilling the truck bed?!? That way you had the best of both worlds, the original bed holes and the new ones. Could possibly take a little welding in areas of it.
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I like the idea of building a flatbed with removable flareside sides!
Make it where the sides and fenders are one piece and can be removed leaving the bed and "headache board".
I'll have to look into that and see what it would take and look like.
Make it where the sides and fenders are one piece and can be removed leaving the bed and "headache board".
I'll have to look into that and see what it would take and look like.
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