front bed cross member
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2005
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front bed cross member
i dont know how the bed front panel and front crossmember attach or do they attach to each other. i just received my new front crossmember sill from npd,the problem i have is the front bed panel is gone at the bottom.do they bolt to each other or weld together?i havent ordered the front bed panel yet,i will probably have one made but i need to know how it goes together if it does,anybody with pictures etc. help please.
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,190
Likes: 2
From: Riverside, So Cal
53 -
The front panel is supposed to have an angle at its bottom edge that runs under the wood bed planks. The plank strip attach bolts go thru the angle and the cross member. There are also two other long bolts in the strips that go thru the angle and crossmember and thru two frame mounts. Thes hold the bed to the frame at the forward end.
My 56 bed had the angle rusted thru very badly, so I replaced it.
The front panel is supposed to have an angle at its bottom edge that runs under the wood bed planks. The plank strip attach bolts go thru the angle and the cross member. There are also two other long bolts in the strips that go thru the angle and crossmember and thru two frame mounts. Thes hold the bed to the frame at the forward end.
My 56 bed had the angle rusted thru very badly, so I replaced it.
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2005
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(53 ford f-100) ok randy jack if i cut the front panel approximately 2 inches longer that should allow for the 90 degree bend because it would have to be3/4 inch longer for the boards to set on and about 1.5'' bend?
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,005
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From: Santa Clarita
I just went through this on my bed. You can remove and replace the front panel by removing the rivots. The panel separates at the cross member. I had a heck of a time getting mine to line up. I was advised to remove the two frame bolts that go throught the frame and cut down the small tubes. ( the carriage bolts sit hight and usually rest or hit the wood planks). I cut it down about a half inch and then used a regular stainless hex bolt. It was really tough to align the holes once the bolts were removed. The key is to get everything to align up. I have pics but haven't posted them yet. The bed is ready,and I'm in the process of coating the wood planks, and installing them. I think it would be easier to remove the whole the bed to replace the panels. Doesn't take much to remove it.
Last edited by imlowr2; Nov 18, 2005 at 07:34 PM.
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,190
Likes: 2
From: Riverside, So Cal
53 -
If you want to replace the front wall, yes, 2 inches is the minimum extra that you'll need.
However, if your front panel is in decent shape, you need not replace it. Just cut away the rotted angle part and put a new angle onto it. The leg common to the front wall just needs to be long enough to cover the bad part of the front wall and still attach to it. I would weld it. You might use bolts or rivets.
In any event, you will need the leg under the planks to be at least 2 inches long so it can pick up the plank bolts and align with the holes in the crossmember. It should be at least 3.5 inches long to pick up the 2 frame bolts. You could cut the tubes on the 2 crossmember frame mount locations shorter (as imlowr2 suggests), bolt the crossmember to the frame, then bolt the bed planks thru the 2 inch long angle.
If you want to replace the front wall, yes, 2 inches is the minimum extra that you'll need.
However, if your front panel is in decent shape, you need not replace it. Just cut away the rotted angle part and put a new angle onto it. The leg common to the front wall just needs to be long enough to cover the bad part of the front wall and still attach to it. I would weld it. You might use bolts or rivets.
In any event, you will need the leg under the planks to be at least 2 inches long so it can pick up the plank bolts and align with the holes in the crossmember. It should be at least 3.5 inches long to pick up the 2 frame bolts. You could cut the tubes on the 2 crossmember frame mount locations shorter (as imlowr2 suggests), bolt the crossmember to the frame, then bolt the bed planks thru the 2 inch long angle.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
From: northeast texas
I reinforced my 60 front bed panel at the bottom with a piece of 1/8 angle iron. Makes a lot stronger panel but you will have to groove the bottom of the boards accordingly.
I also removed the tubes from the front crossmember and just bolted it from underneath and not through the bed.
jim
I also removed the tubes from the front crossmember and just bolted it from underneath and not through the bed.
jim
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,497
Likes: 5
From: Tucson AZ
I replaced that whole ugly mess with a length of 2x2 tubing, eliminated the tubing, angles and the alignment headaches. I also added a steel floor but this method can also be used with the wood. Just a comment from the darkside. 
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