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Just purchased a 1956 F100. The previous owner welded in a steel bed floor from a later model. I'd like to remove and replace with wood. Would someone please measure from what appears to be a 1" ledge for wood to set on, up the bedside to where the angle bends outward. I'd like to check that against my bed to see what I am up against. I think the steel bed is welded in above the ledge, but it is such a hack job I can't be certain.
Thank you!
Jimmy Carter
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The wood sits below that 1" ledge. The outside boards need to be routed for the ledge to sit on. If the PO hacked up the bed by welding the metal floor in you might be better off buying a new bed.
I agree with Abe. If you've got a mess to start with, don't mess with it. Sell it and use the money as a down payment on a new bed kit. Someone will likely give you $500 for it. This one here is as good as it gets, from a reputable company. You will not regret the decision once you're done. All new sheet metal, straight metal, no rust, easy prep for paint. Half of the body work on your truck will be done instantly. https://www.ebay.com/itm/12671231193...wAAeSwEYxonyrw
Sorry I don't have the dimension but I can get it- if no one else gets it for you-( my truck in storage now). Yep those ledges sit on top of board- seems weird but that's how it was assembled. Bords were sandwiched in.
Hidein, in 1999 I bought a used bed from a 1971 F100 when I got my 54 fixed and painted. It was ok and cheap. As our resources improved I got my truck repainted in 2016. I bought a new bed from Midwest Early Ford from Ohio. Shipping is expensive for large heavy items. Midwest brought it to the Carlisle Show. I live 2 hours from Carlisle. It saved me a lot of money.
I see you are from NC. Dennis Carpenter is located in VA. If you are close enough you could pick it up there. I do not know if DC delivers parts to shows. I knew of a business called Carolina Classics I bought parts from years ago. It might be worth looking into them.
Another thought
. Midfifty used to sell a flange repair strip. It looked like a bed strip but had a 90 degree bed that went up the bed side. I used it in 1999 on my used bed to cover and strengthen rusted spots . Sadly midfifty has closed. I don't know if anyone else sells them. Try Mar-K.
As Wayne mentioned, if you buy new sell your old bed. I sold my old bed when I got the new one.
Hidein, in 1999 I bought a used bed from a 1971 F100 when I got my 54 fixed and painted. It was ok and cheap. As our resources improved I got my truck repainted in 2016. I bought a new bed from Midwest Early Ford from Ohio. Shipping is expensive for large heavy items. Midwest brought it to the Carlisle Show. I live 2 hours from Carlisle. It saved me a lot of money.
I see you are from NC. Dennis Carpenter is located in VA. If you are close enough you could pick it up there. I do not know if DC delivers parts to shows. I knew of a business called Carolina Classics I bought parts from years ago. It might be worth looking into them.
hmm, Dennis Carpenter is in Concord NC, not VA. they are a mile or two from the Charlotte Motor Speedway. On another note... their showroom seems to be closed for sometime now. Seems all they have now is a curbside pickup. Anyone know why? I always loved seeing the eye candy in the showroom. The folks behind the counter were always so friendly in helping with parts too.
hmm, Dennis Carpenter is in Concord NC, not VA. they are a mile or two from the Charlotte Motor Speedway. On another note... their showroom seems to be closed for sometime now. Seems all they have now is a curbside pickup. Anyone know why? I always loved seeing the eye candy in the showroom. The folks behind the counter were always so friendly in helping with parts too.
If it were my truck I would keep that bed if you feel it’s original. This would be tedious but cut out that steel sheet. It can’t be that thick. Use a cutting wheel the wood as the guys said attaches under that lip. After you have done your cutting you can back drill the holes. I bought my wood and wear irons from a company in OKC really nice oak and stainless. They also sell beds but the originals are much nicer and made from heavier steel. I did this with my 1954 F-100 I bought in Oklahoma it was an oil field truck, and a piece of steel was welded. It was thin steel and served its oil field purpose. Don’t get me wrong it’s hard it not difficult to do. But I was glad when I seen the final result.
