Looking for a bed
Knuckle Bandage Sales Rep
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,673
Likes: 1,236
From: Maine
Hello Alex,
Finding an 8' bed is difficult, but not impossible. For example, there is one for sale on E-Bay right now for the '53 to '56 model years. Something to consider, is that the rear fenders are styled a bit differently on '48-'52 trucks, and again on '53 to '56 trucks. So whatever front clip you are using on your project should have rear fenders to match the front or it will look odd. And it is best to find fenders that match the model year of the bed or the mount holes won't line up.
Others here may chime in with specific compatibility details, but I just wanted to mention that in case you see a bed for sale.
Tom
.
Finding an 8' bed is difficult, but not impossible. For example, there is one for sale on E-Bay right now for the '53 to '56 model years. Something to consider, is that the rear fenders are styled a bit differently on '48-'52 trucks, and again on '53 to '56 trucks. So whatever front clip you are using on your project should have rear fenders to match the front or it will look odd. And it is best to find fenders that match the model year of the bed or the mount holes won't line up.
Others here may chime in with specific compatibility details, but I just wanted to mention that in case you see a bed for sale.
Tom
.
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 2,072
Likes: 100
From: Marana, Arizona
I looked for months for a good 8 foot Express bed. I'm in rust free Arizona but all I found near me was F1's. I found most F2's/F3's in Oklahoma, Kansas, the Dakotas and Nebraska. They wanted pretty good money for beds or parts of beds that needed plenty of work.
I got lucky and found a really straight one in Tucson but had to buy the whole truck to get it. All the great condition beds I found were on really nice trucks.
Be patient and keep searching. Good luck with your project.
I got lucky and found a really straight one in Tucson but had to buy the whole truck to get it. All the great condition beds I found were on really nice trucks.
Be patient and keep searching. Good luck with your project.
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,093
Likes: 652
From: Brentwood, TN
If it were me I would be looking for a good sheet metal shop in your area and have one custom built. Buy the aftermarket tailgate and fenders and the rest is pretty much flat sheet with a few bends. Given the "non-stock" chassis the floor will be custom so why not make the bed to fit. Good luck, sounds like a fun project.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 1,350
Likes: 24
From: Maryland
I am interested in that what area I couldn't find it
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 17,559
Likes: 1,081
From: Central Delaware
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