bed mounting question 56 f100
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 285
Likes: 0
From: Kannapolis NC
bed mounting question 56 f100
I am in the process of putting together the bed of my truck and I would like to know if it is possible to mount the bed to the frame without using the four big bolts and large washers? I know there are special kits for doing this but they seem to require special cross members below the bed. Is there a way to do this without the special cross as I have stock cross members. Any ideas would be appreciated, Thanks
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,190
Likes: 2
From: Riverside, So Cal
I have my 56 bed mounted without those 4 bolts. I happen to have used a plywood floor, but I looked close at the setup before I installed it.
The two middle crossmembers mount to the frame. The wood mounts to them. I really don't think you need the 4 hold-down bolts. I've seen many beds both ways, with and without the large washers.
At the front crossmember, 2 bolts go through the wood, the crossmember and the frame, But, the tubes on the crossmember can just be cut shorter and the crossmember will mount directly to the frame, eliminating the need for the holes in the wood. The rear crossmember already has 2 hold-downs to the frame.
The entire bed can be mounted without wood, and/or the bed can be taken off leaving the crossmembers attached to the frame.
The two middle crossmembers mount to the frame. The wood mounts to them. I really don't think you need the 4 hold-down bolts. I've seen many beds both ways, with and without the large washers.
At the front crossmember, 2 bolts go through the wood, the crossmember and the frame, But, the tubes on the crossmember can just be cut shorter and the crossmember will mount directly to the frame, eliminating the need for the holes in the wood. The rear crossmember already has 2 hold-downs to the frame.
The entire bed can be mounted without wood, and/or the bed can be taken off leaving the crossmembers attached to the frame.
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,005
Likes: 2
From: Santa Clarita
I just did my bed and had the four bolts your talking about out. The bed is very flimmsy and sways alot with them out even with the crossmembers in, that may be a reason for the special crossmembers they sell. One of the guys from Pickups Limited, told me to cut down the round tubes on the front frame where the big bolts go in. I took about a 1/2" off with a handgrinder. Then I put 3/8" stainless hex head bolts with large washers and tightened them down. It gives you clearance between the wood so you don't have to route out or notch the wood. The back two are straightforward, and I also replaced the bolts with 3/8" stainless bolts. The rubber in between the bed and frame, I used 1/8" neoprene rubber. The bed is nice and stiff now.
Last edited by imlowr2; Dec 27, 2005 at 09:33 PM.
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,243
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
I welded the bolts to the crossmember then I assembled the bed,fenders and running boards but I forgot to install the crossmembers. So now I'm going to do it the right way and remove the bolts and figure a way to weld nuts to the inside of the crossmember (which I should have done in the first place), then I can run a bolt up from the bottom. I'm going to cut the front mounts down a bit so I can install the bolts without having to modify the wood.
This will all get done if I ever get the wiring right (trying to save a P/O installed Ron Frances wiring kit).
Chuck
This will all get done if I ever get the wiring right (trying to save a P/O installed Ron Frances wiring kit).
Chuck
Jag
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
smallello
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
5
Sep 24, 2019 02:41 PM
ETOWN55
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
2
Dec 26, 2014 03:02 PM
