Wood Bed Conversion Kits?

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Dec 15, 2004 | 10:12 PM

6268f100

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Wood Bed Conversion Kits?

I'm interested in installing a stainless and wood bed in my 68 F100 long-box. Has anyone had any experience installing one of these kits or fabricated one from scratch. (how big of a job am i looking at here?) Where is a good place to order kits/parts or to get instructions on these whole conversion. Any help or opinion on this matter would be really appreciated.

arron

Dec 16, 2004 | 02:56 PM

trickf100

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I know that mar-k has a conversion for the long bed chevy trucks. It includes the crossmembers, wood, strips, and everything. As far as for fords I don't know. They have a 73-79 style ford truck in there showroom that has a wood bed in it so I am sure that they can probably accomodate to such a conversion. Best thing would be to e-mail them and see.

MOSES

Dec 16, 2004 | 04:14 PM

FLgargoyle

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Jul 2004

Posts: 1,988

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From: Travelers Rest SC

I fabricated mine from scratch. I figured out how many boards and what width and ripped them from clear southern yellow pine ( not pressure treated). I then set up a fence on my router table and routed notches on each board for the metal strips to lay in. I used all stainless steel hardware and fiberlock nuts. It is very important to protect whatever wood you use from the elements. Ideally, you should garage the truck or get a tonneau cover. After all the cutting is done, saturate the wood pieces on all sides with a penetrating wood epoxy like they use on wooden boats. Then, varnish with a UV resistant marine varnish. Epoxy will deteriorate in sunlight. This process will last a long time, as long as the finish isn't damaged. I made the mistake of drilling some holes after varnishing, and didn't put finish in them. The wood rotted out starting at those holes. Go to some sites of companies that make wood kits, and study how everything goes together. My boards were gapped by the width of the bolts I used in the metal strips (5/16"- I think). I just counted- my bed is 8 boards. It's well worth the work for the beauty of a wooden bed- you'll be amazed!

Dec 16, 2004 | 05:12 PM

ranger240

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Joined: Aug 2003

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From: Tuttle, Oklahoma

Mar-K wood beds are freakin great!!!! (I am biased, as I used to work there) To my knowledge, they do not make a conversion for Ford WIDE beds. They do have replacement for step side from '27-'87step side