54 bed advice
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New User
Joined: Aug 2004
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54 bed advice
Does anyone have any recent good or bad expieriences with purchasing a bed for a 54 F100?
I'm looking at spending some serious money and would like to hear if there is one manufacturer who stands out as the best.
I'm looking at spending some serious money and would like to hear if there is one manufacturer who stands out as the best.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 4,489
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From: Valley Center, CA
Last year I installed a new bed from Vintage Ford in Sacramento. It went together easy and fit the frame correctly. The wood that came with it was very high quality. Thumbs up all the way. Beware of shipping charges though. There was several large boxes that would prob. be expensive to ship. Good luck, John 
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: NM
Northern Classic Trucks
I haven't actually bought one myself (it's on my list) but Northern Classic Trucks (www.northernclassictrucks.com) comes very highly recommended. I've talked to them and they seem very customer-oriented. You can buy a complete new bed or only the pieces you need. For a '54 they are $1,095 for the works (everything down to crossmembers, bed strips and bolts but not fenders) plus shipping, which as noted is not cheap, but not that bad either (considering Dennis Carpenter charges $8 for even the smallest item). Was quoted $150 shipping for the complete bed from their shop in MI to a freight terminal in Albuquerque (1700 miles).
-- Ross
-- Ross
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2003
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I purchased a complete bed last year from northern classic trucks for my 56. I was pleased with it. Assembly was not too bad , just a few modifications. There are alot of spot welds to grind and doctor, but the $$ saving from other beds I had priced was more than enough to offset the little extra work. One point of interest...about December of last year they had a end of the year sale. Normal price was $1095 and they had these beds on sale for $900. I don't know if this is something they do every year but if you're not in a hurry it may be worth the wait.
Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Ovett, Mississippi
I too am looking to buy a bed and wood. Mid Fifty, Vintage Ford, Mar-K, Dennis Carpenter all seem to be pretty much priced the same. Some offer everything except the tailgate. Fairlane Co. offers the complete bed including the gate. I am in a quandry about which way to go. May wait to see if Northern Classic has a year end sale this year.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Valley Center, CA
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New User
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I put a wooden bed back in my 54' . Got from Obsolete Ford Parts in Oklahoma City. Went in very smooth. You will have to sand the wood before installing. Had a friend who is into woodworking and he had a belt sander on a table, the only way to go.
Also used new bolt kit and stainless steel strips. Looks great.
Also used new bolt kit and stainless steel strips. Looks great.
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bed wood dimensions
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,328
Likes: 124
From: Iowa
Originally Posted by david fantini
Was looking to make a set out of black walnut. Wood I took out of my bed was too far gone to take any measurements. I have the tools just need the numbers.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,294
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From: NM
Bed wood or a whole bed?
If you're just looking for the wood, I'd make my own. I have a JPG that shows all the dimensions and rabbets. I'm using 3/4" birch-faced plywood because I am going to actually haul stuff. Total cost for the wood was $20, took an hour to cut to slats, will take another couple hours to rabbet and finish. I thought you were looking for the WHOLE bed, metal and wood.
-- Ross
-- Ross
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 4,489
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From: Valley Center, CA
Hispeed: To add pix go up to the user cp button at the top left of the page. Then hit edit gallery. I memory serves then you can click on brouse to find the pix you have on the computer and upload. I'm not very sure of the methodology so don't get discouraged. It may take a couple of attempts to figure out the proper sequence for setting up a new gallery as opposed to editing an existing one. Good luck, John