Man, this thread is killing me. I bought this 78 F150 Ranger XLT in 1998 when I was 15. The guy I bought it off of bought it in 1980 and when the bed rusted out, he built a flatbed for on it. I almost sold this truck and got cold feet when a guy stopped to look at it and was really interested. I parked it down back and now am getting ready to restore it. I have all of the pieces for it except a flareside bed. I wish I wouldn’t have waited so long to start looking for one as I’m finding that they are very tough to find. I’d build one if LMC or somewhere offered all of the parts. Anyone else have any luck building their own somehow?

 

If you scroll up to the F125 Blue for you will see my box. I purchased it from 'Pro Picks' They make a nice box. I purchased the fenders from carpenter. They have the sides you are probably looking for. The only difference is the bump outs at the wheels. you have to purchase them and weld them on. I purchased them but decided not to use them. It looks better without them with the wooden box. Let me know if you need any information.
Thanks
Randy

 

Here is another supplier. I know of a guy that build tis bed for a 65 F100 it came out really nice.

Find Parts

 

The blue one is a fleet.

 

I knew of them and checked with them. They do not offer the 1978/1979 flat bed rail as was the original build. SO I found Pro Pick and I live in PA. I drove to Canada just above the border and picked up the box. Great Bunch of guys with lots of knowledge. They will ship it to you but I wanted the front panel assembled and they did it for me. Check out their website. https://www.google.com/search?q=pro+...hrome&ie=UTF-8
Thanks
Randy

 

Currently in a frame off restoration. this was just before I started on it.

 

Guys,
Can one of you guys post the width and thickness of the material used for our flareside long beds.
I have a 79 4x4 flareside with 4 spd. and just finishing the engine compartment. Now I need to get to work on the body for paint.
I have noticed in life that the faster you need something usually you end up paying more for it.
I was wanting to start tracking down the lumber for the bed. Oh yea how do you downsize photo?

 

Somebody already posted the wood layout, but a few months ago. Here's a link to the picture: https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.for...93ebdc7e81.png

 

Mr RedSmerf,,
Did you install new boards in your truck bed using this diagram?
I did see that but looks like they say boards are only 3/16 thick?? Are these numbers for a show truck?? Or actual functioning truck bed.
Seems like they should be thicker than only 3/16.

 

That link gives the length dimensions for the short bed flareside, not the long bed. That 3/16 in. measurement is the depth of the edge profile cut [ Mar K gives this dimension as 5/32 in. deep ]. Board thickness was originally 3/4 in. [ Mar K says their wood is 25/32 in. thick ]. I used 13/16 in. thick white oak when I replaced mine. You just need to profile the edge of the outside boards to fit under the bedwall flange if you are DIY. Mar K has a lot of 'Tips and Tricks' info at http://www.mar-k.com/index.php?p=tips-and-tricks

 

Here is the Parts Catalog expanded view of the bed.

I decided to use the MAR-K (Oklahoma Ciity) boards and strips. Photos of the project:

 

Thuvard - nicely done.

 

Asterisk and Thuvard,
Thank both you guys for the information. That was what I was looking for.
Best answers are usually from ones that have rounded up materials and done the job
By the way VERY nice job on your bed Thuvard. I see Lots of work there......
Alex

 

Glad to help. Good luck with your project.

 

Good Morning and Happy Holidays Everyone.

Any flareside/stepside owners looking for the rear bumper brackets? I had a set fab'd up from an original bracket but it would appear it was not for a '73-'79. More likely for the '48-'72. I don't have any use for them so if you're willing to pay for shipping they're yours. FYI, I had a fifth made and cut and welded it to get to where I wanted it. If anyone with a '73-'79 is interested in that piece or the mockup, just pay for shipping and it's yours. I'm in Fairport, NY zip 14450.

48-72 Bumper Brackets?


Modified for bracket for my '79

Comparison of the two.

On the back of my '79