1955 F100 bed frame assembly new parts from Carpenters... trying to determine if it should be assembled and attach head panel and side panels and the rear crossmember all with spots welds or bolts only. I have the head panel bolted up with bolts and it is secure, the original had rivets and bolts and spot welds, the rear member on the original was spot welded in the new one has two bolts with welded nuts in it and appears the corners might be best done with the addition of spot welds in those lower corners. It would look better I think if the parts were painted and then assembled but spot welds would screw that up. The fenders are the original ones and will be painted separate and then installed but all the framing and side panels etc are new. Looking for advice...thks!

 

as you said it would be best of you could paint it apart so all edges and protected with paint, some primers are not a good protector from weather, but if welding you cant do that.
If welding I would use weld thru primer to help protect it.
If you have any areas that you weld that you cant coat like inside a bed cross member Eastwood sells an internal frame coating with a long spray hose that sprays 360* to coat the cross members.
Mine is an 81 F100 flare side I painted apart


Finished painting

Dave ----

 

I found Carpenter's video on assembly just got to get it together. I'll get some different primer to weld through. You got a good job out of yours...I don't have an ideal paint area either. Thks for the pics.

 

Mine is not a show truck and I knew it would get a little dirt & bugs in the paint.
I had the air hose break and in trying to fix it kicked up dirt.
I also did not have a way to keep the floor wet while spraying the cab and did not wet it down for the bed parts as that would have kept some of the dirt down also.
From what it was and a cab off frame rebuild I think it turned out pretty good.
I don't think many can say they did all the work them selves like I have.
Dave ----