Need help identifying tailgate...
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,172
Likes: 1
From: Oakdale,Ca.
I found this on Ebay item #4584985933.
It has a real good pic of the upper driverside latch area on the tailgate, item description says it's a '49...and the setup looks just like the one on my '48. I scanned through the rest of the '48-52 trucks, but couldn't find as good a pic to tell anything.
It has a real good pic of the upper driverside latch area on the tailgate, item description says it's a '49...and the setup looks just like the one on my '48. I scanned through the rest of the '48-52 trucks, but couldn't find as good a pic to tell anything.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 6,777
Likes: 553
From: Kalispell, MT
Notice the smooth box sides, the square stake pockets and the high vin number. Another typical ebay description. Lots of enthusiasm, but not a lot of facts.
That truck is a late '50. No way is it a '49.
edit: Just found your question on the last page - the early boxes have a raised panel on the box sides and a corresponding notch in the fenders. The fenders 48 thru mid-50 don't interchange with late-50 thru 52.
If you have that type of latch on your 48 and raised panel box sides then someone changed the latch mechanism and tailgate on your truck. The tailgates interchange - only the latch is different and can be retrofitted to your stake pocket without much effort.
That truck is a late '50. No way is it a '49.
edit: Just found your question on the last page - the early boxes have a raised panel on the box sides and a corresponding notch in the fenders. The fenders 48 thru mid-50 don't interchange with late-50 thru 52.
If you have that type of latch on your 48 and raised panel box sides then someone changed the latch mechanism and tailgate on your truck. The tailgates interchange - only the latch is different and can be retrofitted to your stake pocket without much effort.
Last edited by mtflat; Nov 1, 2005 at 12:13 AM.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,172
Likes: 1
From: Oakdale,Ca.
Yeah, I see what you mean about the smooth box, mine isn't...someone must have changed the tailgate and latch setup at some point..
Come to think of it, the tailgate was in the bed when I got the truck, and not painted...could very well not even line up to the bed "ears"...
Damn, now I have to haul it out back and see if it's right or not.
Maybe after work tomorrow.
Come to think of it, the tailgate was in the bed when I got the truck, and not painted...could very well not even line up to the bed "ears"...
Damn, now I have to haul it out back and see if it's right or not.
Maybe after work tomorrow.
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,858
Likes: 3
From: Friendswood, Texas
Mike/Tim,
I know that it is a commonly held belief that the flat side beds came out in mid 1950, however, I came across a 1950 F1 this weekend, VIN #98RC 433070 here in Houston. This makes it a rather late 1950, definitley beyond the mid-point.
This truck only has 50,000 original miles. Is originally from Wisconsin and has been in this kid's family for over 30 years. It has been stored indoors for most of this time. The truck still has the original bed, including the sheet metal bottom spot welded to the bed sides over top of the wood slats. It has raised panels. I'm wondering if these 50's we occasionally see with flat side beds are actually 50's with 51/52 beds that were swapped out at some time?? Perhaps the bed swap to the flat sides was only done at some plants and not others??? More research will be required.
In any case, none of the 1950's that I have information on, actually have a flatside bed, or a large window, or a column shift three speed.
I know that it is a commonly held belief that the flat side beds came out in mid 1950, however, I came across a 1950 F1 this weekend, VIN #98RC 433070 here in Houston. This makes it a rather late 1950, definitley beyond the mid-point.
This truck only has 50,000 original miles. Is originally from Wisconsin and has been in this kid's family for over 30 years. It has been stored indoors for most of this time. The truck still has the original bed, including the sheet metal bottom spot welded to the bed sides over top of the wood slats. It has raised panels. I'm wondering if these 50's we occasionally see with flat side beds are actually 50's with 51/52 beds that were swapped out at some time?? Perhaps the bed swap to the flat sides was only done at some plants and not others??? More research will be required.
In any case, none of the 1950's that I have information on, actually have a flatside bed, or a large window, or a column shift three speed.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 6,777
Likes: 553
From: Kalispell, MT
Carl,
You know what makes this difficult is the blend of rumors and memories and lack of actual Ford archival info.
In addition I've read that the same vin string was used until Sept 15, 1951 which would mean that there should be some '51's out there with 98RC4xxxxx vins. Are those the ones with late box sides? Did the info somehow get screwed around that mid-50 was "the" pivot point and is only legend? At this point, I'd say its a distinct possibility.
Also strange that there have been NO large windows documented yet. It gets curious-er and curious-er........
You know what makes this difficult is the blend of rumors and memories and lack of actual Ford archival info.
In addition I've read that the same vin string was used until Sept 15, 1951 which would mean that there should be some '51's out there with 98RC4xxxxx vins. Are those the ones with late box sides? Did the info somehow get screwed around that mid-50 was "the" pivot point and is only legend? At this point, I'd say its a distinct possibility.
Also strange that there have been NO large windows documented yet. It gets curious-er and curious-er........
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,858
Likes: 3
From: Friendswood, Texas
Agree. On the upside, since they aren't building any more and we are collecting new numbers and information everyday, so we are gaining some ground, albeit slowly. I'll give it another week or so and e-mail you what I have so far.
I'm already beginning to develop a couple of theories, namely that the beds and steering columns may be from certain plants that ran out of 1950 stuff before the production run was completed on the 1950's. This would mean that some (and probably most) late 1950's had the raised panel bed sides and/or floor shift tranny's and some (probably a from one or two plants) did not. As far as the big window question, I would love to know what the dash looks like on these. Is it a 48-50 style or is it a 51/52 style??
This will take a lot of time to figure outbut I think that getting the firewall stampings will be as much a key to solving the mystery(ies) as the VIN #.
I'm already beginning to develop a couple of theories, namely that the beds and steering columns may be from certain plants that ran out of 1950 stuff before the production run was completed on the 1950's. This would mean that some (and probably most) late 1950's had the raised panel bed sides and/or floor shift tranny's and some (probably a from one or two plants) did not. As far as the big window question, I would love to know what the dash looks like on these. Is it a 48-50 style or is it a 51/52 style??
This will take a lot of time to figure outbut I think that getting the firewall stampings will be as much a key to solving the mystery(ies) as the VIN #.
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