I have been looking on Ebay the last couple of months for a complete used bed for my 55. I havent really seen anything that comes close to what I need. Am I only dreaming or do I have any chance of finding anything worthwild there for a reasonable price. I know I can buy it new, but the shipping alone to Norway will cost a grand anywhichway, so Im trying for something used ,in good condition and less expensive.

 

have you tried www.nitroz.se lately.
there are lots of parts for sale. mabe you could try a wanted ad, i think they are free.
when entering theire page click on Motorsport . then click annonser & køp - salg.

 

There is one on Ebay right now. The same guy is also selling the complete front clip (dog house). It is in the automotive parts section, and search for 1953 ford f100. Good luck, John

 

Airwick,

concerning freight costs......

As I'm sure you know, freight rates are based upon density or more acurately weight and cubic dimensions. Carriers like stuff to weigh 10 lbs. per cubic foot. If it's more dense, you get a break (sort of), if it's less dense you get penalized.

If you're considering buying a used bed and having it shipped from North America, chances are it will already be assembled. so you'll end up with a BIG box full of air for which you'll be penalized.

If you're buying a new bed from someone like Pro's-Pick in Canada or Sac-Vintage Ford in California, then it would be unassembled and packed in a much smaller crate than the assembled one. In this case, you'll be charged primarily for the actual weight rather than the cubic footage X 10 lbs. per cubic foot.

So what I'm saying is - The freight on a knocked down (that's ex-Traffic Manager talk) bed should be cheaper than an assembled one. Figure out the dimensions and the weight of both and get a few estimates from carriers.

Another thing to consider -

If I was going to pay approx. $1K for freight to get a bed, then I would want to make DARNED sure I was getting a good one. I would buy a new one to ensure I wasn't ending up with a piece of crap. You could end up spending more later to repair the used one than simply buying a new one.

I know you're on a budget (as am I), but think about these factors plse.

Lecture over, we now return to our regular programming....

 

Ditto, I would go for the new unit. I checked out both brands previously mentioned while in the showroom of Sacramento Vintage Ford. They are similar in quality but the normal Sac Vintage version was considerably less to buy. I bought it and the install was very smooth. Don't forget to get the rubber bushings to level the bed, as they are a seperate item. Good luck, John

 

hi guys, being Norway is as bad as beening down here at times, although u do learn to make a lot, a 55 bed isn'nt that hard to make, any good sheet metal workshop could fold and roll the sides, all else is flat or sections, u could then buy a genuine looking tail gate or once again make your own, the earlier parts manuals would have a dissasssembled veiw of the shape and any number of us could give measurements, just a thought..cya..gary

 

Excellant idea Scrape. He could buy a tailgate and the fenders and maybe the piece under the tailgate and make the sides and front panel......

 

To paraphrase a late great American " In my heart I know you`re right" ( bt the way, Goldwater is dead isnt he? I moved to Norway during that election) So either I will buy a brand new unmounted bed or??? I loved the idea of building one myself. Does anyone have the blueprints for the front bed panel and side bed panels? Or for the tailgate and the three crossovers members for that sake. Id be forever grateful Erik

 

I have a suggestion, it may not help, but, have you widened your search for a newer truck? Since you are willing to build a box from scratch maybe you could use a box from a '79 on down. A box from one of these might be just as hard to find in your part of the world but they are almost the same in appearance as the '55 and they would have twenty five years less wear on them.

Just my two cents.

 

Airwick/Erik,


Your fellow countryman - TronW - has pictures/drawings/illustrations and all the dimensions that should enable you to reproduce the bed sides etc. You'll likely want to buy the outer side supports/stake pockets rather than make them.

I no longer have his email address in my PC but you should be able to contact him through his profile.

Later,