Longbed temp replacement
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Elder User
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Rural Southern Colorado
Longbed temp replacement
As part of the resurrection of my 56, I'm going to need to do something to replace the bed in the truck. The original wood is *gone*. I still have no clear vision of how I want the final version of the bed done but I will need something back there and I am presently thinking of using a sheet of plywood. I'll be replacing all the bolts, etc. (thank Heavens for Mid-Fiftys!).
Anyone done this sort of temporary 'fix'? Got any tips and tricks for me?
Anyone done this sort of temporary 'fix'? Got any tips and tricks for me?
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,285
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From: NM
You sure can use plywood, just one wrinkle; the bed wood adds up to 49" wide. So you need to split your 4 x 8 sheet into at least 3 pieces, with the bed strips and bolts in between those. You make two side pieces and a center piece. The big countersunk bolts go into the side pieces, and the center piece lays between them. I think (can't swear to it) that if you use 1/2 plywood, it is real close to the thickness needed for fitting under the bedside flanges. If you are figuring to carry heavy stuff back there, you might want to use 3/4" and rabbet the outer edges.
I used Birch veneer plywood for my "permanent" bed wood. Turned out nice, but there is a lot more routing and babbeting needed to do a traditional board layout.
I used Birch veneer plywood for my "permanent" bed wood. Turned out nice, but there is a lot more routing and babbeting needed to do a traditional board layout.
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Michigan
I used a sheet of 3/4 inch thick oak plywood and split it into three pieces, that way I could make it fit the bed width.
I routed the edges to 9/16 thick so it would slip under the bed sides and the bed strips would look like they were somewhat planed.
I think there are some pictures in my gallery.
Hope this helps.
Chuck
I routed the edges to 9/16 thick so it would slip under the bed sides and the bed strips would look like they were somewhat planed.
I think there are some pictures in my gallery.
Hope this helps.
Chuck
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Elder User
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Rural Southern Colorado
Ross, yes there's a very slight bulge. It sounded like most everything is very close between the two, aside from length. I know I have more countersunk and skid strip bolts and the width is closer to the true 48", but what you were telling me matches really closely what I've been thinking when I looked at the bed.
I also recall looking at the bed in yours and thinking "Wow!" but I didn't recall that it was plywood. I may need to re-think whether or not I can afford to do the permanent bed now. Time, I have. I also have a beautiful stained and sealed sheet of 3/4 inch plywood that WAS going to be the bed of a small trailer I've been re-doing. Well! If it's between the truck and some silly little trailer, guess which wins???
Thanks
I also recall looking at the bed in yours and thinking "Wow!" but I didn't recall that it was plywood. I may need to re-think whether or not I can afford to do the permanent bed now. Time, I have. I also have a beautiful stained and sealed sheet of 3/4 inch plywood that WAS going to be the bed of a small trailer I've been re-doing. Well! If it's between the truck and some silly little trailer, guess which wins???
Thanks
Last edited by Nuthin; Sep 3, 2006 at 08:02 PM.
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,190
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From: Riverside, So Cal
I used plywood also and covered it in Herculuner. Mine is one-piece:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...=71373&width=0
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...=71373&width=0
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 97,479
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From: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
I just started working on my 53 M350 longbox stepside and will check it out. Looking at it from underneath (which is where I have spent alot of time lately) the wood looks quite thick.
Will get back to you if I can add anything worth while.
Will get back to you if I can add anything worth while.
