Factory flatbed
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Cross-Country
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 84
Likes: 1
Factory flatbed
Merry Christmas, All. I am looking at a truck that the owner is interested in liquidating. It's beat up, pretty bad. The only thing that really holds my attention is a flatbed that may be factory original. It has FORD imbossed on the back rail. The VIN matches what I am seeing; 79 F350 standard cab and chassis, duals, 2WD, 4 speed. I still need to figure out what engine it currently has. Engine digit of VIN says "unknown". The font of the FORD on the bed is the style ford put on the tail gaits of the bumpsides. Can someone direct me to some photos of factory flatbeds? Thanks. Kirt
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 9,606
Likes: 1,175
From: San Jose, CA
Sounds interesting. I was not aware that there was even such a thing as a factory flat-bed on an F350. I always thought (assumed more like) that they were delivered to the dealer as just the cab/chassis mentioned, then the dealer or third party installed whatever bed they preferred to use.
Maybe there was a Ford authorized manufacturer, using the logo but still not installed at the factory? If it's factory though, I'd be interested to hear more about it too.
Speaking of pics though, got any of this setup you can show us? Love to see what it looks like.
Sounds like the truck is rough, but if it's truly rare it would be fun to bring back from the almost-dead.
Good luck. In the meantime though... Back to the top!
Paul
Maybe there was a Ford authorized manufacturer, using the logo but still not installed at the factory? If it's factory though, I'd be interested to hear more about it too.
Speaking of pics though, got any of this setup you can show us? Love to see what it looks like.
Sounds like the truck is rough, but if it's truly rare it would be fun to bring back from the almost-dead.
Good luck. In the meantime though... Back to the top!
Paul
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 898
Likes: 70
From: Coos Bay
Definitely pictures! In the earlier years, through the 50’s, ford supplied a flatbed and it had ford script stamped into the steel on the tail end. I couldn’t tell you if ford supplied a flatbed from the 60’s on. at least from the 350 down.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 9,606
Likes: 1,175
From: San Jose, CA
Even if they did not provide them in later years, but someone just happened to have an old one laying around in a warehouse that they'd never used, that would still make the truck pretty unique.
Paul
Paul
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 1,244
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If you buy it you could check for a build sheet under the seat that might mention this option.
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Both 9' and 12' flatbed/stake beds were factory Ford F-350 options at least through 1979. The early flatbeds had the Ford script stamped into the rear crossmember, at some point (1960's?) it was changed to block letters. Not sure if Ford manufactured these flatbeds in-house or they were vendor supplied, but I believe they were factory installed. The racks were usually painted to match the cab.
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,221
Likes: 322
From: SW PA
that truck was posted FS a few years back on Pittsburgh clist.
the bed definitely caught my attn. it was a nice restoration for sure.
amazing how many times I kick myself for not buying cool stuff like that. Lol