Hi I am trying to find a bed for my '56 F-250. It is a long bed and I thank I read or heard some where that the beds from a 1953 to a 1956 will fit. I have tried unsuccessfully to find a new bed that looks like my old one from several different venders. If you know of some one who makes this bed I would greatly appreciate the info. Or perhaps has a bed in good shape to sell. It needs to be a step side bed. I also have been trying to find the cross-members that go under this bed. Before anyone suggest mid fifty I have called them twice and emailed them twice. No go. Said they would get back to me and haven't. This bed is 54" accross and has inner fender wells in the bed part. When I look at the catalogs they are all for F-100's. No inner wells and not wide enough. Any info would be great. Thanks Shopman.

 

Shopman,

You might be screwed. It sounds like you have the "Express Bed" or at least thats what they called the larger beds on the 48-52 trucks. The bed is longer, deeper, and wider than the 1/2 ton beds. As far as I know no one is making parts for it.

For the crossmembers you might be able to buy the 1/2 ton units and extend them. That would be a bummer as you would have to buy 2 of each of them. How bad is your bed?
Another idea is to keep your eyes peeled for a decent pick-up bed trailer. You see them all over and can sometimes pick them up for a couple hundred bucks. I've done it before, bought a trailer, swapped the beds, then resold the trailer.

On my 49 F1 (1/2 ton) since I'm not going for a strict reproduction I made my own crossmembers from square tubing.

Welcome to the board
Bobby

 

The 1948 - 1952 3/4 ton trucks with the 8 foot bed can have the frame shortened to fit a 1/2 ton bed. If you are not set on the 8 foot bed you might want to look into cutting the frame down to the length of a 1/2 ton if that is possible.

 

https://www.ford-trucks.com/classifi...t=14241&cat=20

 

Did just that to my 48 F-3 because it came with no bed or rear fenders. Shortening the frame is not as big a job as it sounds. You need only to take out 8 inches behind the cab and 12 inches off the end. I believe those cuts would also be the same or very close for a 53-56. See my gallery.

 

You can try Dan Carpenter, http://www.dancarpenters.com/. A few years back I was looking for a 8 foot box for my '49 F-2 and I found a person who bought a 8 foot box from Dan Carpenter. He sent me these pictures of the box:





This is a box for the '48-52 truck. It's not exact, it doesn't have the raised panels on the sides, but it's as close to a correct new box you're going to find. I don't know if they still make this box, I have never contacted them to discuss it but it's worth a try to send them an email or call them and ask about a box for your truck.

 

Dan Carpenter can make the 8 foot bed. I saw a guy at the nationals a couple years ago with a 9foot bed and he said Dan made it. You can also try Bruce Horkey. A few years back, I needed the bed for my '55 F-250 (the PO cut the bed and frame to make it look like the F-100, stupid move) and Bruce had some used bed sides. I think he wanted $200 per side plus shipping, or he would bring them to a show in the area. I ended up buying anothetruck just for the sides. Also, the 8 foot bed is taller & wider as well so if you don't have the front panel or the tailgate, you'll look hi and low for those. If new from Dan, I don't know if he can mae the bed taller and wider. You might have to settle for a shorter bed side as I think he takes 2 6 foot sides and cuts a 3rd one and welds they together to make the 8 foot bed. At least that is what the guy in pigeon forge told me. Give him a call or Bruce and talk with them. I'm sure they can help you out.

 

Try Bruce Horkey. I don't have his number or website here but have it at home. Do a google to get his addresss

 

I have a 54 F250 with a stock 8 ft. bed,it's an old farm truck from N.D. normal wear and tear but not rotted.I am rebuilding truck as a driver,but I am not good at body work,so I may eventually put on an after market flatbed. If someone really needs one I may change it sooner,it has the spare tire bracket with the recessed left rear fender. I was going to drive it as is for a while, new engine,power disc,9in.rear before I painted the cab but,if somebody really needs a box I would like to see it put to good use,I hate to see these hard to get parts disappear. RED

 

I want to thank everyone for there ideas. Sure is great to have a place to go that has a lot of knowledgable people to help you out. I think my bed is called the express bed. I measured it and it is 8ft and 1/4 inch long and from the floor flange to the top roll it is 2ft. deep. It looks like I have some options available to me and I'll do a little more research and see what I can come up with. I would like to find a bed as close to home as I can (Southern Ohio) but I may have to travel some.
Mr. Richardson thanks for the email I may show up on your door step this spring. Kept your email address.
f250 red where are you located? You say the truck is from N.D. Is that where it is now?
FOWL1 and Abe, Thanks for the info. I'll see if I can find an orginal first though, if not, then I'll give Bruce a ring.
BOBJ49F2, My mouth was druling at the pictures. Looks like what I need. I have looked in the Dennis Carpenter catalog and they make beds for up to 115 inch wheel base. Mine is 118 inch. Would the 115 look right? I don't know. Would like to keep as orginal as possible. The way it looks though this may be an impossible task.
GREATNORTHWOODS AND CHRISTOPHER2. YOU GUYS MUST HAVE BRASS ONES THERE IS NO WAY I WOULD ATTEMPT TO CUT THE FRAME. I don't think I have what it takes to risk it. I am not sure I want to go that route anyway, but , sure appreciate the imput.
YOU ALL HAVE BEAUTIFUL TRUCKS. NICE PICKS. THANKS FOR EVERYTHING. Douglas

 

Douglas,

From what you said it sounds like you may be confusing Dan Carpenter with Dennis Carpenter. They are two different companies althought I think they might be close to each other.

 

I live in western N.Y. near rochester currently 6 degrees outside.according to the I.D. tag my truck has a 118 inch W.B. RED

 

Shopman, there are no known manufacturers of 8 new foot beds. Dan Carpenter can custom make one, but that's the only one that I have heard of that will do that. You might try Mark-k as well. I think they make beds as well. A lot of the vendors sell beds made by these guys. That would be the only way you will find a "new" bed 8 feet long. I ended up buying another truck just for the bed. The guy said it was all there and I think he believed it was, but there are some missing pieces. I figured $750 and most of a truck was better than $200 per side from Bruce Horkey plus shipping from Minnesota to Maryland. I figured it would cost about the same and I could at least see what I was getting and get more for my money. You might want to see if you can find a donor truck or a donor bed from a trailer somewhere. Do you have th original bed and it is just messed up or what?

 

I just checked Bruce Horkeys site at: http://www.horkeyswoodandparts.com/IntroPage.htm
He has 54" front bed panels and 54" tailgates. I did not see the F-250 bed sides. He did say "We can custom build your box", call and get a quote. I think he used to make them as he himself has a 55 F-250.

 

Thanks everyone! I appreciate the help and the info. I'll check out some of your ideas and see what happens. In the mean time if you find out any more info on this bed it I would be interested. Thanks alot. Shopman