Anyone know where I can get templates for the wood bed cross members. I do alot of wood working and would like to make them for my truck. Mine are non-existant

 

John, I bought mine from Bruce Horkey at Home page Horkey wood and Parts

ps. I could not send you a PM as your PM mailbox is maxed out.

 

I dont want to pay $500 when can make them. I am a wood worker and have to justify my wood working tools. I might be able to use my old ones as a template but the BIG questions and VOTE from all the users here is this truck has a dump bed (dual cylinders. The farmer welded a steel plate over the wood which is rotting. So the VOTE/ QUESTION is should I keep the dump bed or make the truck original? I go back and forth on the decision. The pump and cylinders may not ever work anymore.
p.s. I cleaned up my in box

 

Hi John,

I vote for going back to original. For four reasons:
1) the dump components aren't working and may not be used again
2) I haven't seen evidence that a non-stock add-on dump feature ever adds value to a classic truck and probably decreases it's market appeal
3) returning one of these trucks to stock is a very rewarding use of time
4) if you make your own cross-members you can take orders from us for a few extra sets - and I'll be the first to want a set for my F3 under construction.

Tom

 

Here's a picture of the kit. I'll also link some pics and a diagram I made. The only involved stick is the one at the headboard. The headboard sets into a grove and bolts through it. Stu



The middle cross members that fit between wheel wells are shorter and thinner. This pic show the metal inset that adds strength along the side rail.

 

If you can make a set to fit my 51" F3 I too would purchase from you.
I will always enthusiastically support the craftsmen on this board.

 

What keeps the bed from going back and forth. Are there bolts thru some of the cross members? I dont see those in the pics. I need to get a price of the wood. Its not like you can just go down to lowes and get that kind and size of wood. $500 may be cheap but I still want to try it. Someone needs to make templates for all of us to use. One of the biggest problems I will have is removing the steel plate the farmer welded in. Its on top of the wood planks. Good news is I have a plasma cutter.

 

I made mine for my F3 using the old rotted ones as a guide. Here in KY we have a lot of saw mills so was able to get OAK a little thicker than the old ones. Not being very good at wood working I did a lot of sanding, fitting and more sanding. Worked out in the long run. The OAK cost $75 and I used Black Walnut for the planks that only cost $200. I bought them from our church that had two hundred year old trees go down. They sold the wood as a fund raiser

 

The metal cross member under the tailgate is bolted to the frame, and the headboard wooden cross member in the kit picture shows the holes for bolting to the frame and the horizontal holes for bolting through the headboard itself. Stu

 

John - I may be abletofind pics of the crossmembers also - If I can I will post them.

 

Man, that is nice. You did a great job.

 

There are actually 8 bolts that go thru the crossmembers into the frame which includes the two at the tailgate, 2 just before the wheel wells , two after the wheel wells and finally the two at the front of the bed. All the bolts that are going to the frame have the large washers on top with the exception of the two at the rear metal crossmember just in front of the tailgate.







Here is a shot which shows the crossmembers as I test fit the main planks before staining and finishing.

 

I made steel cross members but, maybe this pic will give you an idea of where it all attaches to the frame.

 

Here are some pics of the bottom the bed I have to deal with. Basically the wood was sandwiched in between the sheet metal deck and channels below. There are 2" C channels that are welded to the bottom lip of the bed sides. They cut the wood cross members to make rood for them. Then there are large cross C members to form a steel box frame. The pics are convoluted so you have to use your imagination. The good news is I own a plasma cutter and can make things go away.

 

I made my own. IT isn't that hard.