I have a 1963 Ford F-250 4x4 Pick-up truck with a 120 wheel base. The truck had a flatbed on it when I bought it. I want to purchase a Fleet Side bed for it. The older style (late 1950's design). I located a bed out West, but it is off the truck and I am relying on measurements and pictures to make sure it fits. The seller does not have the VIN number or wheelbase for the truck it came off. He thinks it is 118 wheelbase. I spoke to a truck owner on E-bay that has a 1958 Ford F-100 with 118 wheelbase that has the same measurements as the bed I want to purchase. Does anyone know if the bed on a truck with a 118 wheelbase will bolt up (or otherwise fit) a truck with 120 inch wheelbase? The measurements look close. I checked the Ford Shop Manuals I have for the early 1960's. I don't think Ford had a 118 wheelbase then. I think it was a late 1950's option. Could they have moved the placement of the cab back to allow the shorter bed to fit? I know they were introducing the unibody concept, etc..

 

Sorry, but I can't help with your questions. What's the difference between the late 50's bed and the 61-63 bed? I know of a 1963 that someone is trying to sell / part out that has a long bed on it. It's in NW Montana.


Thank you
Tim

 

Fleetside = Chevrolet.

Styleside = Ford, your truck could have come with the 1957/60 Styleside bed which was installed on the following 1961/66's:

1961/65 F100/250 4WD / 1961/66 F350 (9' Express only) / 1962/63 F100/250 2WD / 1966 F250 4WD

There is no code within the VIN or stamped on the Warranty Plate that defines what type of "back of cab" equipment (if any) these trucks came with.

 

Thanks for the information, but I am still trying to determine exactly what will fit. I am certain my truck has a 120 inch wheel base. Based on measurements, I am certain the bed I want to buy has the same measurements as a 1960 F-100 pick-up listed on E-Bay w/ 118 inch wheel base. It also appears that this bed will fit my truck. How can the same bed fit a 120 inch and a 118 inch wheel base truck, unless the cab dimensions were different between the late 1950 body style trucks and early 1960 models.

Is this explanation accurate?

 

Ford didn't make a bunch of styleside beds with different dimensions. They used the stock that they had, so those beds should work just fine. There's plenty of room under the bed for tire, so having it forward or back by an inch or two won't make a difference. The difference could also be at the front axle since the cab is different after '60.

 

Thanks for your help. The measurements seemed very close. I was just looking for some verification, before I purchased the bed and shipped it across the country. I thought someone might have swapped the beds and knew exactly what would match.