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I've been searching the site and internet for a while to try to sort this out. I have a '56 f100 and am using the later '70s bed. The bed had rotten wood block spacers between mounting strips and the truck frame. I'm wanting to know if these were used in '56 or if the bed direct mounts to the frame?
most ,mount directly to the frame with rubber "anti-squeek" pads between the crossmembers and the frame rails but when you get the bed mounted you can shim
to get the bed level and square with the cab. Mine is about 1/2" low on the right rear corner and I'll have to shim when I get the truck back... but that entails
dropping the fuel tank to get to the bed bolts. THAT'LL be a fun day.
I use 3M rubber squeegees as bed-to-frame isolators. They work great, are easy to come by, and are durable...and cost a lot less than "official" bed isolator pads.
If you are using a later bed that had the blocks in the cross sill the you will need to replace the blocks or make spacers. The newer sills are made to sit on the blocks. When I made the bed for my 53 I used some newer sills and used steel tubing to replace the wood blocks. Mar-k company sells the wooded blocks, if you want to go that way. My floor is raised but you can see the tubing on bottom of sills.
Last edited by Last chance 53; Jun 28, 2020 at 10:41 AM.
Reason: add picture
If you are using a later bed that had the blocks in the cross sill the you will need to replace the blocks or make spacers. The newer sills are made to sit on the blocks. When I made the bed for my 53 I used some newer sills and used steel tubing to replace the wood blocks. Mar-k company sells the wooded blocks, if you want to go that way. My floor is raised but you can see the tubing on bottom of sills.
Interesting. Makes sense. I wonder if I can use the earlier cross bars on the more modern bed and lower it down a little on the frame?
I've been searching the site and internet for a while to try to sort this out. I have a '56 f100 and am using the later '70s bed. The bed had rotten wood block spacers between mounting strips and the truck frame. I'm wanting to know if these were used in '56 or if the bed direct mounts to the frame?
Thanks, Rick
What does your 1970's bed look like? Sometime in the early 1970's Ford made a change. My 1956 F100 also has an early 1970's bed. But it has the same style side panels as original with the correct angled top rails. I haven't installed the wood yet, but when I set the crossmembers in place lining them up with the holes in the frame and with the correct rubber thin pads, there is only enough clearance remaining for the wood thickness.
I did notice on mine, the middle-rear crossmember does not line up with any pre-punched hole in the bottom flange of the bed sides. My plan is to merely drill a new hole in each bottom flange.
Are your crossmembers lined up with the original mounting holes in the frame? Or did a previous owner line them up with pre punched holes in the bottom flange of the side panels and drill new frame mounting holes?
What does your 1970's bed look like? Sometime in the early 1970's Ford made a change. My 1956 F100 also has an early 1970's bed. But it has the same style side panels as original with the correct angled top rails. I haven't installed the wood yet, but when I set the crossmembers in place lining them up with the holes in the frame and with the correct rubber thin pads, there is only enough clearance remaining for the wood thickness.
I did notice on mine, the middle-rear crossmember does not line up with any pre-punched hole in the bottom flange of the bed sides. My plan is to merely drill a new hole in each bottom flange.
Mine is the flat top rail version. It was mounted on the frame when I bought it, though it was of kilter if you compared the tailgate to the front panel.
This is how mine is set up. The wood goes below the flanges on the bed sides. The wood sits on top of the flange on the front bed panel. Then the wood sits on top of the two middle and rear cross members. They sell a rubber strip to go between the wood and the flanges on the bed sides. It's starting to seem like the previous owner didn't install it correctly.
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