I was looking through some catalogs (Macs especially) and noticed that an assembled bed for a 51-52 is about $1000 less than one for a 48-50. Why is that? I know there are some subtle differences like the design of the tailgate and the smooth bedsides instead of the ribbed design, but those changes don't seem to warrant $1000 difference in the price. Since my old truck won't be original anyway, I'd just as soon save myself the 1000 bucks and put a 51-52 bed on it if I can't find a good used one. The truck won't know the difference. Has anyone else used a 51-52 bed on a 48-50? I assume I'd have to use 51-52 rear fenders with it because of the smooth sides, right?

Does anybody make a fiberglass bed? I haven't seen one...

 

I know the 51-52 bed has the flat bedsides, and the stake pockets have square bottoms, not rounded like the 48-50, and the tailgates are differant. I highly doubt thats a $1000 worth in differance. Yes you would need to track down a set of 51-52 fenders, the 48-50's won't work.

 

The 48-50 should have a pressed sheetmetal floor where you'll have to fabricate one with wood/strips in the late 50-52 box. That plus the tooling for the raised panel on the sides probably accounts for the grand.

Which is what I did anyway in my 48 cause I prefer a wood floor.

 

Jon,

Tracking down 51-52 rear fenders shouldn't be a problem since I have no rear fenders and plan on using fiberglass all around anyway. How different are the tailgates? Will one fit in place of the other, or are they different sizes? Can I use a 48-50 tailgate on a 51-52 bed, or will I have to use the 51-52 tailgate?

Tim,

So you have a 51-52 bed on your 48. Did you run into any problems doing that or was it basically a bolt on? I like the idea of using the wood in the bed, but I'm a little fuzzy as to why the 51-52 bed is better for that purpose than the 48-50. Do you have to remove a metal floor in the 48-50 box to put in the bed wood strips that a 51-52 box doesn't have?

 

THe difference in the tailgate is the 2 ears for the tailgate chains. The 48-50 has the ears riveted into the top tube of the gate and the 51-52 the ears are riveted just below the tube. The chains are different also. 48-50 use a triangular bracket that's riveted to the side of the stake pocket and the chains are attached to this. The 51-52 have the long bolt that goes thru the pocket and has a nut and washer to retain it on the other side.

Barry

50 F-1

 

Vern, the 51-52 bed isn't superior to the 48-50 for a wood floor. This is probably oversimplified, but think of the 51-52 wood floor then overlay it with a sheet of steel.

In order to do a 48-50 with a wood floor I had to cut the spot welds on the sheetmetal, then replace the subfloor with new wood. 48-50's already have wood floors in them.

Hope this helps????????

 

Interesting thread: I have a 50 merc 1/2 ton with a metal floor in the box, which I removed and found rough cut wood underneath, which I assumed was their for support. I,m planning on replacing with a wood bed. But what caught my attention was the mention of difference in rear fenders from 48/50 to 51/52. I thought these fenders were interchangeable? I,ve been searching out rear fenders, but maybe I have to narrow my search back to 48/50?

Alan

 

The differance in the rear fenders, is that the 48-50's have the mounting edge that matches the contour of the raised panel on the bedside.... the 51-52 box doesn't have this contour since the bedside is flat. hope this helps

 

Mid 50 was the split for Fords and Canadian trucks did their own thing anyway. 48-mid 50 have a raised panel in the box side and the lower half of the rear fender is offset to accomodate this. Maybe 3/8" deep. I'm putting a couple of pics in my gallery that shows the detail + mud from a daily driver in spring.

 

Jon and Tim, Thanks for the reply concerning difference in fenders between 48/50 and 50/51, my 50 merc does have the raised panel on the box sides so I'll be narrowing my search; ( I have the original fenders, fairly straight, but with the usual rust on the back inner edges and where the running boards join. Thanks again for the good info

Alan

 

Vern:

Check out my gallery. My 52 F3 has a 53-56 series 8 foot box. That is another option that you might want to price, if you like the appearance.

 

Steve,

Hadn't really given much thought to using a 53-56 bed, but I guess that's an option I can consider since I have no bed. I see you used the 53-56 rear fenders also and that looks like a 53-56 rear bumper. Is it? Did you have any problem getting the bed to fit? What about the mating of the 53-56 rear fenders with the F-3 running boards? Was that a problem? Would 51-52 fenders mount to the 53-56 box okay?

I like the wide whites and the resale red....

 

Vern:

What does resale red mean?

Glad you like the tires; those wide whites (17X7.5 BFG Silvertowns) and the two piece wheels will be for sale this spring. I also have a fifth wheel, but no spare tire.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by SteV8e
[B]Vern:

What does resale red mean?

Steve,

That's an old joke among rodders. Red seems to be the color of choice if you want to sell a rod. Paint it red and it will almost always sell...therefore, RESALE red...