Hey fellas - very long time lurker. I thought I had account from years ago but it must have been deactivated.

Anyway - I've got a family 63 F100 flareside. The bed is not salvageable. I'd like to know what years to be looking for? I've read that it was 54-72....but I know the short bed flareside was made many years past this generation. Were they generally the same? What should I look out for? What should I avoid?

Thanks!

 

1957: Ford replaced all the 1953/56 bed parts including the rear fenders with 1957 parts. Some people claim there is no difference, but some disagree. You'll have to look and compare.

1957/75 and 1976 before serial number C00,001 is the same.

1976 from serial number C00,001, 1977/79 is different. Ford removed the flares from the bedsides, the tops of the bedsides are as flat as Kansas. It's EZ to see the difference.

The rear fenders are the same 1957/79. The 1953/56 fenders were replaced by 1957 fenders...you have to look and compare.

Some of the 1973/79 rear fenders have holes (1973/76) or fuel doors (1977/79) for auxiliary fuel tank filler tubes.

EDIT: MAR-K located in Oklahoma City reproduces bed side parts and the beds themselves. They also have the wood, that will make termites happy as clams!

 

If you have a welder, some flat stock and sheet metal and time, the last a little more than the first 2, you can fix them.
Now to pay someone to fix them would be way too too too much money and why I said "If you"

Have you looked to see what parts you can get? I don't know about your year as I have a 81 flare side and can get just about everything but the bed sides and glass fenders.
In my case just the bed floor cross members & front & rear sills would run $1000, then add the wood, metal strips, front panel and hardware was just to much for a $800 weekly trash run truck.
I was able to fix the bed sides with metal & welder, did glass work to fix cracks in the fenders and used a style side metal ribbed floor in place of the wood and bolted the bed side to it.
If you did a quick look and did not know it should have a wood floor you would think it was factory.



The way it was done I can unbolt the bed sides and do a wood floor and bolt the side on like the factory did.
I don't have to worry about putting anything on the floor and hurt the wood. The truck was built as a driver and do take the trash to the dump weekly.
Cardboard in bed for the dump, trash bag is in there also.

Don't get me wrong I love the look of a wood bed I just did not have the $$ and had a parts truck bed with a good floor and bad side from a roll over.
That rear tank was added from the parts truck using factory duel tank parts to do what the factory should have done!

Checking other year threads and projects to see what other are doing and you can take clues and use them when building your truck but if it a "factory" built then you cant move from that.
Good luck and keep us posted on your project.
Dave ----

 

Mr. Bell, if you have welding skills and patience I have disassembled parts for a 61 shortbed. Includes bed sides, front panel, extensions and stake pockets. All but steps, fenders and tailgate. Can't discuss sales on this page. You can PM me or let me know if interested and I'll reach out to you.

 

Don't think he can use PM yet as his post count is to low.
Maybe emails if you guys have that listed?
Dave ----

 

Dave that bed looks great!

ItsMyFord - What state are you in? PA I'm assuming?

 

Now what did I say that gave you any idea I was from the keystone state. No, if only that were true. Sadly I reside in a state much worse. Run by an egomaniac of a governor who insists on tinkling on the liberties of all who live under his rule. You got it......the big Rotten Apple, the Vampire State, The state whose new motto is "don't stand so close to me". I'm actually outside of Buffalo but can get to DC in about 5 hours. If you are interested in these pieces, I'm sure we can work something out.

 

Thanks some times you have to think outside the box when you don't have the money to go back with wood and have a long bed style side that the side was caved in on.
I also like to post things like this as it gets others thinking on how to fix something or just the push they needed to get going on their project.
Dave ----

 

My apologies. Your member stats say Erie County, made me think of PA.

 

No worries mate. The two states are very similar in their back-assed-ness. So, do you have any interest in these parts? If not, I will reach out to the next builder. Thanks