Finding parts
Thread Starter
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Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,661
Likes: 23
Finding parts
Is it me or is this a PITA? I seem to come across EVERYTHING but that which will work for me. Granite I know I'm in Wyoming, but I'm also doing a lot of road trips this week, from going to Portland, OR (meaning I go through WA and MT, and ID) or also going down to Pueblo, CO (meaning Denver and the Springs) and I STILL cannot seem to find a long bed for my truck in this,what, 1,500 mile radius? Its not like they're specific to just the '56... I check craigslist (and post) a couple times a week.
Are they that rare now a days or am I simply coming across a drought in my search? I've checked every alley in this town, and anything I can think of. Course I find all sorts of other stuff, this place was definitely a Chevy town in the 50s. lol I could have built a Chevy truck a thousand times over from all I've found here (lol and yet I still can't find a '53...).
lol sorry, just needed a small vent, tired of never being able to find what I want.
Are they that rare now a days or am I simply coming across a drought in my search? I've checked every alley in this town, and anything I can think of. Course I find all sorts of other stuff, this place was definitely a Chevy town in the 50s. lol I could have built a Chevy truck a thousand times over from all I've found here (lol and yet I still can't find a '53...).
lol sorry, just needed a small vent, tired of never being able to find what I want.
Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
Yes it can be frustrating. Some of best finds have been thru friends and networking. Bought a 53 F100 as parts donor. Was setting behind a guys house. So I stopped and asked. The most fun is looking as I am driving cross country like you. Wife just can't stand me looking out the side window at an old truck...
Patience................
Les
54 F-350 Project
54 F-100 Parts Donor
67 2000 Tractor
Patience................
Les
54 F-350 Project
54 F-100 Parts Donor
67 2000 Tractor
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,641
Likes: 21
From: Poway, Ca.
Understand and sympothize completely, but yes the long beds are getting to be that hard to find. I know the short bed on the 53-72s were basically the same, but are the long beds the same that late as well?
Thread Starter
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Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,661
Likes: 23
Yeah no idea. I've been told that Dodge's where really quite close as well (well they had a crease in the metal on the sides but other than that). A short bed would look funny for what I want to do and I don't have the time to just make a bed right now...
lol patience, forever and always.
lol patience, forever and always.
Bring out the best!
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 464
Likes: 8
From: Huff, ND
Stephen,
There might be one in the auto recycler yard that I visit from time to time. I'll try to get over there in the near future and see if it's still there. This would be located in south central ND.
I'm working 72-hr weeks until the end of September, but I'll try to check it out for you before then.
There might be one in the auto recycler yard that I visit from time to time. I'll try to get over there in the near future and see if it's still there. This would be located in south central ND.
I'm working 72-hr weeks until the end of September, but I'll try to check it out for you before then.
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Tuned
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 400
Likes: 2
From: Arvada, CO
Have you looked at Martins Auto Salvage in Windsor, Colorado? Might be worth a walk around if you are going to be in town. I know they have one for an f2/f3 not sure about your year.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,906
Likes: 82
From: Oregon
Portland, Oregon, and you ain't you aint coming through here. You suck. I'm never talking to you again. I'm only 1.5 hrs from Portland. Not on the interstates, adn we have LOTS and LOTS of farm country out here. You should stop in on your road trip, and say happy birthday (mine is Sunday). And maybe go up the street in a Caterpillar powered Big Job. Or not, since you're obviously too good to look up some fellow FTE members...lol
Senior User
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 454
Likes: 0
From: Sugar Land & Bandera, TX
You could if push comes to shove, order the parts for a short bed individually with the exception of the sides, and have a sheet metal company make just those.
A guy here in Houston did just that, and for not a lot of money. Most commercial stainless steel kitchen fabricators can make your rolled edges and the other breaks.
You will basically just need stake pockets, fenders, and the ft of the bed - all of these are short bed parts too.
A guy here in Houston did just that, and for not a lot of money. Most commercial stainless steel kitchen fabricators can make your rolled edges and the other breaks.
You will basically just need stake pockets, fenders, and the ft of the bed - all of these are short bed parts too.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,776
Likes: 2
From: springfield il
long beds were the same 53 -72 stephen . they are and are getting even scarcer to find so yeah they are a pian in the **** . i had one years ago , a beautiful one and tried in vain to tdade it to someone for a short bed , no takers , and it got cut down . i do belive though mar k and someone else is reproducing them now which is a great thing !!!
I'll have the Roast Duck
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 9,622
Likes: 110
From: Northshore, MN
I find stuff all the time....just too far away. I think I'd be better off getting a truck and car hauler and travel across the country hauling for people while picking up my own parts.
BTW, my brother has a Chevy 3100 flatbed....1950.
Give it time, things happen, and traveling the backroads, and picking up local shoppers at the gas stations can sometimes yield results. Consider a few old-timers don't have computers, but have the goods out in the back field, and they only know to advertise in the local shoppers and also that's where the local auctions are posted.
BTW, my brother has a Chevy 3100 flatbed....1950.
Give it time, things happen, and traveling the backroads, and picking up local shoppers at the gas stations can sometimes yield results. Consider a few old-timers don't have computers, but have the goods out in the back field, and they only know to advertise in the local shoppers and also that's where the local auctions are posted.