1963 wheelbase questions??
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Freshman User
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From: denver usa
1963 wheelbase questions??
I purchased a 63 f100 in march for $500. The seller told me it was a long bed, so I have assumed this whole time that it is. However, at a friday night cruise with a friend, (the truck isn't streetable yet, so I can't drive it) we saw a 64 longbed f100. The bed was huge. Much longer than mine. Then, another friend bought a 74 2wd short bed. My curiosity was now driving me mad. My truck seemed to be a "midbed". Anyway, my 74 friend measured his wheelbase at 117 inches, and his is definitely a shortbed, fleetside. To confuse the hell out of things, my wheelbase measures 122 inches. It has the late 50's, early 60's round tailight, square bed.
Does anyone know what the h*// is going on?! The truck is beautiful. The guy had to get rid of it because zoning was telling him he couldn't store it in his drive. Everyone who looked at it hated the bed, so the price went way down. It's all original bodywise, from what I can tell. It's also equipped with a running 400 v8 and a c6. He had the floor re-welded about 6 months prior. A definite steal at $500.
Does anyone know what the h*// is going on?! The truck is beautiful. The guy had to get rid of it because zoning was telling him he couldn't store it in his drive. Everyone who looked at it hated the bed, so the price went way down. It's all original bodywise, from what I can tell. It's also equipped with a running 400 v8 and a c6. He had the floor re-welded about 6 months prior. A definite steal at $500.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: charlotte, nc
1963 wheelbase questions??
Try to find some dealer literature or a Ford shop manual for 1963, wheelbase and other statistics are typically listed in these somewhere. For 67-72's, a short bed has a 115" wheelbase, and a long bed has a 131" wheel base. These numbers grew a little for the 73-79 body style.
Have you compared length of the beds only? If your 63 and your friends 74 are both shortbeds, the beds on both should have around 78" (plus or minus), inside measurement of the bed. I think Ford played around with wheelbase and other vehicle dimensions over the years so it maybe hard to compare trucks of different eras by wheelbase.
Maybe someone else with a 61-66 can measure their wheelbase for a comparison.
Have you compared length of the beds only? If your 63 and your friends 74 are both shortbeds, the beds on both should have around 78" (plus or minus), inside measurement of the bed. I think Ford played around with wheelbase and other vehicle dimensions over the years so it maybe hard to compare trucks of different eras by wheelbase.
Maybe someone else with a 61-66 can measure their wheelbase for a comparison.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Dallas/Fort Worth
1963 wheelbase questions??
Short bed's are about 6 feet long, long beds are around 8 feet. There was a post not too long ago on here that mentioned 9 foot beds were available special-order from Ford for fleet and contractor use; The 'huge' bed you saw may have been one of those trucks. You can do a search in this forum for more info on it, I don't remember which thread mentioned them or if wheelbase figures were mentioned.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2001
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From: Crossroads of America-Ind
1963 wheelbase questions??
The 63's still had that 57-60 style (square) bed. They had a different wheelbase even in thier respective long or short configurations. I can't remember off hand what they were, but I know it's different.
In 64 they restyled the bed and went with a look that actually WENT with the cab and changed the wheelbase to 128" on the LWB models. In 65 and 66 even though the body stayed the same they increased the WB again to 129".
In 64 they restyled the bed and went with a look that actually WENT with the cab and changed the wheelbase to 128" on the LWB models. In 65 and 66 even though the body stayed the same they increased the WB again to 129".
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From: denver usa
1963 wheelbase questions??
My wheelbase is 122". Does anyone know if there's a matching styleside (bed that matches the line of the cab, non late 50's) bed that will fit my truck. I want to get rid of the 50's box bed for the styleside bed.
Thanks, guys for the prompt, detailed responses. Someone can always count on these forums. This has got to be the most helpful site on the web.
Thanks, guys for the prompt, detailed responses. Someone can always count on these forums. This has got to be the most helpful site on the web.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2003
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1963 wheelbase questions??
Unfortunately the bed you have is the only one that will fit without major modifications. I have seen some 64 to 66 8 foot styleside beds used for 61 to 63 non-unibodies as well as 4x4s. Some of those owners cut a wider wheel well. Others have moved the rear axle back and lengthened the driveshaft. There was also an 8 foot stepside box offered, but I don't think that is what you are looking for. I'd be interested in buying your old box...contact me through user galleries.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2003
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1963 wheelbase questions??
Maybe you could get a 64-66 styleside bed and chop the front (or rear) of it to fit your frame. Get the wheel wells of the 64-66 bed centered over the wheels and chop to fit as necessary. You may have to drill new bed mounting holes in the frame. I don't know if this will work but it is an idea.
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1963 wheelbase questions??
The wheel base on your 63 is a long box. I know this becuase I also have 63CC long box. My wheel base is 122 inc long. They did make a maching styleside box that year also. I just bought another 63 long box last mont same wheel base but with a box that has the same body lines. This box was an opition on all 61-63 long bed trucks. I have seen a few 61's with that style bed.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 5,130
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From: Brea CA
1963 wheelbase questions??
Guys, just stumbled on this, what's the WB and bed on it?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=39415
Thanks!
Barry
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=39415
Thanks!
Barry
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From: denver usa
1963 wheelbase questions??
The truck in that picture is a 3/4 ton, so I believe the bed is somewhat different. It looks much longer behind the rear wheels than mine. I'm not sure what the WB is since I'm not familiar with the 3/4 ton trucks.
Well, since there are styleside beds for 122" WB 63's, if anyone runs across one, I would definitely, definitely, be interested in it. Now that I know, I can hit the specialty places.
Another huge thanks guys. Couldn't do it without you.
Well, since there are styleside beds for 122" WB 63's, if anyone runs across one, I would definitely, definitely, be interested in it. Now that I know, I can hit the specialty places.
Another huge thanks guys. Couldn't do it without you.
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