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In 1953 Ford produced an F-100 Flatbed and an F-100 Stake bed. Other than the obvious stake sides, what is the difference between the two? Did they both have stake pockets or did only the stake bed version have them? Any other differences?
That's a good question. I always assumed the only difference was someone adding stakes to the flatbed.
I will be interested to her what our historians have to say on this.
Art - I’ve never heard of there being separate specs for the stake bed and flat bed. The only reference I know of that contains a diagram of these beds is the 1944 to 1952 Ford Body Parts Catalog, and that is for the 134” wheelbase. It includes them together under the description Platform and Rack.
The 1953 Ford Chassis Parts Catalog includes a section on Body Parts. It lists the 110” Platform truck as model C80 and Rack truck as C86. In the parts list it shows “Body Assy, Platform Assy 110”, as part number BAAA 8000000-A. No separate number is listed for the Rack bed, but it does list the Rack Assy Kit for C86 as BAAA 86000000-A. So, same bed with the optional rack kit. Stu
Here are pics of my 54 Ford Truck Dealers catalog. This should help you. I am sure the only difference is that with the "platform" bed you got no stake sides (or racks) and therefore was cheaper.
I don’t profess to know but I’d make a guess that the side board pockets are the only difference. They are probably cut into the steel of the bed so the side boards can drop into them. Like the pockets on a pickup. Other thought would be they have pockets welded to the outside of the bed, but the pictures don’t reflect the second thought.
The stake pockets were not welded on the outside. I am 99% positive that the only difference between the platform bed and the stake side bed is that the platform bed did not come with stakes.
I would agree with Abe. It would make no sense for Ford to build 2 different platform beds. I've never seen one without the stake pockets. They were designed to work with or without the stake sides, depending on the usage. If you wanted to have solid sides or different height sides instead of the factory rail sides, you would still need the stake pockets to install your own-built sides.
Does my second paragraph above not settle it? Maybe I didn’t say it well enough. The parts list cites only one bed, and lists the racks in a kit for use with that bed. This bed in question was Josh’s, then mine, and has now found a good home with Art. Stu
Does my second paragraph above not settle it? Maybe I didn’t say it well enough. The parts list cites only one bed, and lists the racks in a kit for use with that bed. This bed in question was Josh’s, then mine, and has now found a good home with Art. Stu
So Stu, so what you are saying they have 2 different beds? LMAO! Sorry bud, had to do it!
Art - I’ve never heard of there being separate specs for the stake bed and flat bed. The only reference I know of that contains a diagram of these beds is the 1944 to 1952 Ford Body Parts Catalog, and that is for the 134” wheelbase. It includes them together under the description Platform and Rack.
The 1953 Ford Chassis Parts Catalog includes a section on Body Parts. It lists the 110” Platform truck as model C80 and Rack truck as C86. In the parts list it shows “Body Assy, Platform Assy 110”, as part number BAAA 8000000-A. No separate number is listed for the Rack bed, but it does list the Rack Assy Kit for C86 as BAAA 86000000-A. So, same bed with the optional rack kit. Stu
Thanks Stu, and everyone else. The fact that the flatbed and stake bed used the same bed structure makes good sense. The bed I got from Stu is now out to be media blasted, dents and tears repaired and primed. To answer some questions, the pockets are cut into the rails (3 per side) with welded pockets to the inside of the rails. What prompted my question is that I found a listing for 1953 F-100 production numbers. They included 64 units of the 6 1/2' Flatbeds and 1517 units of the 6 1/2' Stake Beds. Once again I am amazed at the collective knowledge on the Forum and the willingness to help a fellow member out.
Thanks Stu, and everyone else. The fact that the flatbed and stake bed used the same bed structure makes good sense. The bed I got from Stu is now out to be media blasted, dents and tears repaired and primed. To answer some questions, the pockets are cut into the rails (3 per side) with welded pockets to the inside of the rails. What prompted my question is that I found a listing for 1953 F-100 production numbers. They included 64 units of the 6 1/2' Flatbeds and 1517 units of the 6 1/2' Stake Beds. Once again I am amazed at the collective knowledge on the Forum and the willingness to help a fellow member out.
Yes, they sure didn't make many F100 flatbeds or stakebeds. I saw one several years ago, make that 20 years ago, in a junkyard that I got parts off of. And I don't know I it was a factory Ford script bed. I didn't pay much attention to that back then.
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