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Hey guys. Well it's been a long time ago since I removed the bed of my Truck. 4 years to be exact. Wow time goes by fast! At that time I used my Tractor to lift the whole bed off as one unit. It worked out well and I was able to tear it apart on the ground with a lot of grinding, penetrating oil and muscles. My question is about assembling the bed, that is now all freshly painted and in pieces. Will it work to build it directly on the frame of my truck without the wood floor installed? I assume it is and it's probably a dumb question. Basically install the front, sides, and cross members, installing the wood and slats at a later time. The 9' Express bed is very heavy and it kind of intimidates me to build it on the floor and lift it up to set on the frame. Any advise regarding bed assembly would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
I assembled my bed completely less the fenders and used my engine hoist and a fixture I made to lift it. Just needed to find the center of gravity. I'm sure you could do the same. I did it all on my own without anyone's help..
i think the bed will be easier to assemble on your garage floor. I personally did not put my new bed together. My body man did that.
It is very very hard to put the nuts and washers on the bed strip bolts while the bed is on the truck. I tried it. I'd say it's impossible but some guys here say they have done it. With the bed sitting on saw horses I could put the boards on, put the bed strip in place and put the bolts in and put the washers and nuts on from underneath by my self. Except for thelast board of course where my son helped me.
Then my son, myself and a buddy lifted it on the truck. Your bed is 2½' longer and higher and therefore heavier. You might need 4 or more guys to put the bed in place.
I assembled my bed completely less the fenders and used my engine hoist and a fixture I made to lift it. Just needed to find the center of gravity. I'm sure you could do the same. I did it all on my own without anyone's help..
That is a good idea John. I do not have an engine hoist. I have a tractor and bobcat thought. LOL
Originally Posted by abe
First things first: those bed sides look great!
i think the bed will be easier to assemble on your garage floor. I personally did not put my new bed together. My body man did that.
It is very very hard to put the nuts and washers on the bed strip bolts while the bed is on the truck. I tried it. I'd say it's impossible but some guys here say they have done it. With the bed sitting on saw horses I could put the boards on, put the bed strip in place and put the bolts in and put the washers and nuts on from underneath by my self. Except for thelast board of course where my son helped me.
Then my son, myself and a buddy lifted it on the truck. Your bed is 2½' longer and higher and therefore heavier. You might need 4 or more guys to put the bed in place.
I can hardly lift one side panel by my self. I'm thinking more like 6-8 guys for this job. That's a lot of beer and pizza! LOL .........and how would you ever maintain the 6' distancing rule. LOL
You've got horses.
Assemble the bed on the floor. Strap the bed for lifting and put a pulley in the rafters. Grab a horse hand have him lift it for you. Then move the truck under the bed and have your horse lower it nicely in place.
You've got horses.
Assemble the bed on the floor. Strap the bed for lifting and put a pulley in the rafters. Grab a horse hand have him lift it for you. Then move the truck under the bed and have your horse lower it nicely in place.
Joe, I can honestly say, this is the first time you have not been helpful! How much Horse Power do you think it will take
I redid the bed on the 53 f-100 with salvaged Yellow Pine that was old bleacher seats . I also used one of the original oak planks as a template and had all the wood sealed with linseed oil and ready to install when the hardware arrived. I prepped and painted the frame rails ( forgot to take a picture when done ) before install.
I did do the wood install myself with the bed on the truck and it took me a whole day to get it right I was sore the next day from all that up and down and crawling under the bed! but it turned out decent. A long bed would take some added work I am sure of that.
Martin
I redid the bed on the 53 f-100 with salvaged Yellow Pine that was old bleacher seats . I also used one of the original oak planks as a template and had all the wood sealed with linseed oil and ready to install when the hardware arrived. I prepped and painted the frame rails ( forgot to take a picture when done ) before install.
I did do the wood install myself with the bed on the truck and it took me a whole day to get it right I was sore the next day from all that up and down and crawling under the bed! but it turned out decent. A long bed would take some added work I am sure of that.
Martin
Thanks Martin. So it can be done this way! That's good to know. If a person had a helper it would sure help out a lot. Good thing I'm a hoarder. I also saved the old bed, just in case.I contacted Mid Fifty F100 parts and they are currently out of the 9' wood bed so I am looking at other options. I think I can do it with the puzzle pieces I have.
Good thing you saved all the old boards , that helps in figuring things out! Look at all the pictures and diagrams you can find online and don't forget the rubber strips that go under side panels between wood and metal. They make a nice snug fit.
Good luck!
Martin
Look at how much more bed space you would have if you kept with the flatbed.
I love my flatbed, but your standard bed is too pretty not to install.
The flatbed makes a fantastic portable workbench as well.
Bed reinstall and assembly
Tractor to lift the whole bed off as one unit. It worked out well and I was able to tear it apart on the ground with a lot of grinding, penetrating oil and muscles. My question is about assembling the bed, that is now all freshly painted and in pieces. Will it work to build it directly on the frame of my truck without the wood floor installed? I assume it is and it's probably a dumb question. Basically install the front, sides, and cross members, installing the wood and slats at a later time. The 9' Express bed is very heavy and it kind of intimidates me to build it on the floor and lift it up to set on the frame. Any advise regarding bed assembly would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
I can honestly say, this is the first time you have not been helpful! How much Horse Power do you think it will take 
