That bed looks a lot like the one I picked up for my F-4 about ten years ago.

I got a tip from FTEr Rob, Lojak. He found an ad in Auto Trader or some other printed magazine back then. I almost passed on the deal. I drove to northern Wisconsin to meet the seller at a gas station in a small town and then follow him to his shop. This was before everyone had cell phones. I got to the town and the guy wouldn't answer his phone. I made several calls and lift messages. Finally I gave up and drove back home. It was a three hour drive one way and halfway home the seller called me but by then I wasn't going to turn around. He had sent me pictures of the flatbed via USPS and he assured me the bed was as nice as was shown in the pictures so I told him I'd take it but would return the following weekend to pick it up. I drove back to the small town and the guy had it in his yard sitting on a '59 GMC. He was going to restore the GMC but didn't want the bed. The funny thing was the bed was totally complete with ever piece of hardware and the frame had only two small rust outs but the wood was so bad that when I stood on the deck my foot went through the wood and when I started to pull the side racks off almost every one fell apart into dust. It was amazing that all of the hardware stayed on. I got the bed loaded and gave the guy $200.

I did detail drawings of the bed if anyone is interested in dimensions. They are for the 10 bed can be adjusted for any sized bed.

1948-52 ford scrip flatbed

 

Today it’s pretty warm for January, I’m working in shirtsleeves. Looks like I’ll have some metal repairs. It still looks pretty good. One of the rivets is rusted away where the bed bows out on the passenger side.

 

Finished removing the plywood. Still doesn’t look too bad.

 

I never realized those decks are so wide..

 

Are you going to have it blasted after repairs or are you going to hand clean it?

 

Probably both. The flat areas I’ll sand and the hard to get spots I’ll sandblast.

 

I'm sure you will get away by sandblasting it all and likely quicker..

 

I only have a 2hp compressor, so I have to wait for it to build back up again. Some discs on the angle grinder I’m thinking will do the flat areas quicker.

 

You'll need a good compressor and a big tank to sandblast. Or know somebody who does.

 

Well, after 4 months on the trailer, I got it off last night. Now I can start working on it.

I forgot to mention I was trying to slide it over by myself. A couple walking on the sidewalk across the street asked if I needed any help. So I said yes.

 

Spent some time on it this afternoon. 3 of the 8 rivets holding the top of the side rails weren’t holding anything. The passenger side bowed outward because the 2 middle rivets were broken. Looks nice and straight now.





I put a 1” steel pipe in the stake pocket and pulled with a come along to bring the top in.

 

Looking Good The rear panel with the ford script in it looks pretty straight. Mine was bent beyond repair. That will make a great looking bed.

 

What are the dimensions of the cross pieces height X width and the height where they taper to the side rails..?

 

I'm up at the cabin in the mountains, I'll get that for you when I get home. Dennis

 

No problem Dennis..I have a cab that needs a ton of work first...lol