View Poll Results: What bed would you prefer to use on a 78 crewcab f350?
short fleetside
31
72.09%
flareside
8
18.60%
flatbed
4
9.30%
Voters: 43. You may not vote on this poll
Bed Preference??
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 516
Likes: 1
From: La Crosse, WI
Bed Preference??
I was just curious on what people would prefer to see on a 4wd crewcab F-350. A short fleetside bed, a flatbed or a flareside?? It is coming to that time when I have to make my decision and all of your help would be dually noted! Thanks
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,222
Likes: 1
From: East Central Florida
Strictly from a design standpoint, based on the mass of the slab sided 73 - 79 style, in a crew cab body style, I believe a flareside bed, which is what?. . . .maybe 1/3 of lenght 1/2 of height, total? Might/ will look like an afterthought, or maybe a Chevrolet Design.
However. . . . .Mmm?
I think maybe a short styleside would sort of "finish" body line off with same style & scale of proportion as front 2/3s have. More or less, for all intents & purposes, it will look as if it came with & belongs on that particular truck.
IMHO, perhaps it's just my adversion to people as they stare at stuff in bewilderment, curiosity, laughter or disdain, rather than in admiration, appreciation, and approval...... ya know?
Of course this is a loaded question to begin with. Every student of design/ engineering learns:
1st, there is no accounting for Human Tastes & Aesthetics!
2nd, The father of engineering is function. . . .
3rd, Necessity is the mother of invention. . . . . . .
None the less I'd go with style side for above stated reasons.
Thanx for asking, FBp
However. . . . .Mmm?
I think maybe a short styleside would sort of "finish" body line off with same style & scale of proportion as front 2/3s have. More or less, for all intents & purposes, it will look as if it came with & belongs on that particular truck.
IMHO, perhaps it's just my adversion to people as they stare at stuff in bewilderment, curiosity, laughter or disdain, rather than in admiration, appreciation, and approval...... ya know?
Of course this is a loaded question to begin with. Every student of design/ engineering learns:
1st, there is no accounting for Human Tastes & Aesthetics!
2nd, The father of engineering is function. . . .
3rd, Necessity is the mother of invention. . . . . . .
None the less I'd go with style side for above stated reasons.
Thanx for asking, FBp
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 760
Likes: 0
From: Boise, ID
A short box (fleetside) on a crew cab looks badass!! Come to think of it shortboxes look sweet period....... Of course that's personal opinion. That same personal opinion leads me into not liking long beds on just about anything.
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 516
Likes: 1
From: La Crosse, WI
I agree with both of you but I am unable to find a shortbed ANYWHERE for my truck. If anybody has any bright ideas on where to find one or knows where I can get one let me know...I have had no luck as of yet.
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 516
Likes: 1
From: La Crosse, WI
I've checked for fiberglass repros (only longbeds), I've checked the classifieds here (nothing), I've searched and come up w/nothing other than buying sides and trying to construct one from a bad one. I want an original rust free shortbed, I dont' think there are many around anymore. I really wish someone would start to repro them.
New User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
I see plenty of (nearly) rust free boxes down south, but none of them are ever not beat to death. I found one for my truck, but it is a single tank bed and my truck is dual tank.
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New User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Hey I'm a rigwelder and have built 4 flatbed welding truck to date all Fords I must add except this last one and we won't go into name calling here. All have been 1tons and even without the machine and all the toolboxes they look tough with flat beds as long as they are built nice and with the owners purpose in mind even if the owner only wants to go to the store once in a while to grabs some groceries.
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Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 48
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From: Conroe, Tx. USA
I guess I have always liked the look of a fleetside for a truck. I have a long bed since I always used the truck to haul stuff, etc. Yes, the look of a short bed and reg cab looks sporty, so does the step side at this point. If I was racing the truck I would love a short box/reg cab. It just depends on what you want in a truck.
One note, my truck had a single factory rear gas tank and door, and an added tank inside the frame w/ the filler neck just sticking thru w/ a cap (similar to early 70s trucks before the doors).
I cut the gas door off the donor 69 Marquis, which I got the 429 from, and later put it into my long bed. I just had to get some measurements off a factory dual truck and then put the door into the same location. The hard part was finding the large fuel hose from a marine dealer to fit my application.
Don't let a bed in good shape slip by because of only one tank door.
One note, my truck had a single factory rear gas tank and door, and an added tank inside the frame w/ the filler neck just sticking thru w/ a cap (similar to early 70s trucks before the doors).
I cut the gas door off the donor 69 Marquis, which I got the 429 from, and later put it into my long bed. I just had to get some measurements off a factory dual truck and then put the door into the same location. The hard part was finding the large fuel hose from a marine dealer to fit my application.
Don't let a bed in good shape slip by because of only one tank door.
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 516
Likes: 1
From: La Crosse, WI
Well I wish I had the option of the long bed, those are much easier to find. My trucks frame was a supercab longbed, now it's shortened four inches and has a crewcab mounted on it....just needs the short style bed...I just need to decide what short bed to actually use. My first choice hands down is a stock styleside shortbed....but those are next to impossible to come around in wisconsin. I could sure use some help locating one if anyone knows where a nice one is!
New User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Originally posted by MISCAB
Don't let a bed in good shape slip by because of only one tank door.
Don't let a bed in good shape slip by because of only one tank door.
