Custom Bed
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From: Northwestern PA
Custom Bed
I'm thinking maybe a Custom Bed ? I'm looking for ideas of possible donner beds to start with. The way my truck is progressing, I just think some softer curves might be more fitting than the squared look of original.
I really like the looks of the one in El Cabron's gallery.
Any Ideas ?
Any pics ?
Thanks
Mike
I really like the looks of the one in El Cabron's gallery.
Any Ideas ?
Any pics ?
Thanks
Mike
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,190
Likes: 2
From: Riverside, So Cal
Mike -
If you haven't seen it, look in my gallery album "Bed Mods". Like you, I wanted to smooth out the lines of the stock bed. It isn't the rounded or blended curves you are probably thinking of, but it is a distinct improvement over the stock square shape.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...&albumid=15273
If you haven't seen it, look in my gallery album "Bed Mods". Like you, I wanted to smooth out the lines of the stock bed. It isn't the rounded or blended curves you are probably thinking of, but it is a distinct improvement over the stock square shape.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...&albumid=15273
Last edited by Randy Jack; Mar 8, 2006 at 10:24 AM.
Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Rio Rancho, NM
Mike,
I saw a Ch**y truck not too long ago where the owner had made his own bed. It looked similar to the older style tow truck beds as the bed sides followed the curve of the rear fenders towards the rear. He used flat steel for the sides topped with tubing (11/2" I think) for the top rails.
Here's a wild idea..do like Dodge did in the late 50's and take the body sides and tailgate from a comperable year station wagon and fit them to the sides of your bed. I think Dodge called them sweptlines, or sweptsides (57-60)
My 49 has the older style bed with the styled sides and stake pockets. I'm going to retain those and install a bed floor and front panel from a new truck and call it good (I got a 2005 GMC bed for free)
Let us know what you come up with
Bobby
I saw a Ch**y truck not too long ago where the owner had made his own bed. It looked similar to the older style tow truck beds as the bed sides followed the curve of the rear fenders towards the rear. He used flat steel for the sides topped with tubing (11/2" I think) for the top rails.
Here's a wild idea..do like Dodge did in the late 50's and take the body sides and tailgate from a comperable year station wagon and fit them to the sides of your bed. I think Dodge called them sweptlines, or sweptsides (57-60)
My 49 has the older style bed with the styled sides and stake pockets. I'm going to retain those and install a bed floor and front panel from a new truck and call it good (I got a 2005 GMC bed for free)
Let us know what you come up with
Bobby
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Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Indianapolis, Indiana
Might Look at this, It is a late model bed with the fender lips attached to it, I like it but I think a little more time could have been spent on making the contour match the cab a little better.
June 2005 Vol. 14 No. 6
Kyle
June 2005 Vol. 14 No. 6
Kyle
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From: S.C.
Guys I've thought of that to I saw a few with the chevy beds channeled which looked pretty good. I was thinking of; but haven't seen it yet using a ford step side bed late 90's early 2000's It may be a little tall though.
Jaye
Jaye
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From: Rio Rancho, NM
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Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2001
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From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)
Bobby,
I like the F-1 with the modern box. Too bad since the fenders are fiberglass the guy didn't take some time and somehow incorporate the fender lines from the F-1 into the modern fenders and eliminate the modern wheel lip. I have worked a lot with fiberglass and it's easy, although itchy, to work with. That would be my only suggestion to make it look better. It still looks pretty sharp.
I like the F-1 with the modern box. Too bad since the fenders are fiberglass the guy didn't take some time and somehow incorporate the fender lines from the F-1 into the modern fenders and eliminate the modern wheel lip. I have worked a lot with fiberglass and it's easy, although itchy, to work with. That would be my only suggestion to make it look better. It still looks pretty sharp.
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Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Rio Rancho, NM
Bob,
I agree, the way it is right now the lines don't flow as smooth as they could. the rear fenders are a bit angular compared with the front. I think your suggestions are just what it needs.
Bobby
I agree, the way it is right now the lines don't flow as smooth as they could. the rear fenders are a bit angular compared with the front. I think your suggestions are just what it needs.
Bobby
Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Rio Rancho, NM
Bob,
No, its not mine, just a picture that I dug up when I was trying to decide what to do about beds. I wish it were mine, its a good looking truck.
Even if it were mine it would take more than a little comment like that to offend me and I would have taken it as a suggestion and not a knock.
I have decided to ratain my original bedsides and fenders on my 49. I will be installing a bed floor and front panel from a 2005 GMC. I managed to get a complete bed for free that the owner had ruined the bedsides on. Free is good
Bobby
No, its not mine, just a picture that I dug up when I was trying to decide what to do about beds. I wish it were mine, its a good looking truck.
Even if it were mine it would take more than a little comment like that to offend me and I would have taken it as a suggestion and not a knock.
I have decided to ratain my original bedsides and fenders on my 49. I will be installing a bed floor and front panel from a 2005 GMC. I managed to get a complete bed for free that the owner had ruined the bedsides on. Free is good
Bobby
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From: Littleton, New Hampshire
I think the big bubble-like original rear fenders is what makes the 48-52 look as good as it does. The truck looks okay but I'd really rather have the original fenders on it... 
Vern
Vern
Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Rio Rancho, NM
Over the weekend as I was driving around I noticed several of the new Rangers with the step side beds and wondered how they would look. Or maybe even one of the F-150 step side beds? I think it would all come down to how well the curve of the body matched up at the front of the bed and the rear of the cab.
I know in the Ch**y world its fairly common to mount a late model step side bed on the 55-59 trucks and have it look pretty good, the body curve matches up well.
Vern, yea, I think you're right.
Bobby
I know in the Ch**y world its fairly common to mount a late model step side bed on the 55-59 trucks and have it look pretty good, the body curve matches up well.
Vern, yea, I think you're right.
Bobby
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From: Northwestern PA
Guys, thanks alot for all the input, I've seen the one on the cover of classic trucks, but I'd like a bit more rear fender bubble,those just look like flares, I really was hopeing for El Carbon to tell us what that box is from in his gallery it has a bit of bubble left on the fenders but yet has the softer cornners I'm looking for. Sorry I don't have a link for it.
I'm stuck out of town in Balt. MD for a while with limited web access.
Mike
I'm stuck out of town in Balt. MD for a while with limited web access.
Mike