Now my attention is focused on the pickup bed for my F3. The crossmembers on my bed are oak beams 2 1/2" deep, 2 5/8" wide, and 53 3/4" long. They appear to be original with carriage bolts holding them to the side strips. However, all of the catalogs (NPD, MACs, etc.) show steel cross-members. And they all seem to be for F1. what was the original bed for the F3 Express? Do I have to make something up when I go to replace the bed boards? New oak crossmembers? How does the bed sit on them? My bed was missing...just a 4 X 8 sheet of plywood.

CarlH
1949 F3 Express

 

I got the answers I needed from Bruce Horkey at Horkey Wood Products in Minnesota. My F3 has wood cross members. I have ordered a new set from him. He is the supplier of bed wood for our old pickups. Sounds like he knows what he is talking about.

CarlH
1949 F3 Express

 

Old Dan has a step-by-step instruction on another thread. He sure made it look easy! Here is my story..... Putting the windshield sealer in the glass groove went well, but that #&@! gasket slithered like a snake as I installed it on the edge of the glass. ( I should have had a helper.) The black goop spread everywhere, my gloves stuck to the adhesive pulling the rubber gasket loose and pulling the gloves off, so I jettisoned them and ended up covered fingers to arms with the black, sticky stuff! What fun!
Next day, the rope trick worked well (I had a helper pushing in on the glass.) and the windshield slipped into place nicely. More black goop seeped out around the frame and a big clean-up job followed. I took a bath in lacquer thinner!
Glad that job is done. Now I can move on to the vent and side windows. Maybe next year.

CarlH
1949 F3 Express

 

Im getting ready to install my windshield, are you planning any trips to SLC in the near future? I can hold off for a while if so.

 

Hi Josh,
I would love to visit you. However, the course I taught in SLC last year will be in Minneapolis this year. Next time I go through SLC on Delta, I will make some extra time.
Good luck on your windshield. I recommend a helper for all of the steps.

Carl

 

Josh,
Could you contact me off-line with your email address? I tried to send you a message and it bounced back.
CarlH
1949 F3 Express

 

The pickup bed of my F3 appears to have been modified. May have been in a rear-ender and fixed rather crudely. I need a good photo of an original rear showing details above the bumper. Can someone provide a picture? Or direct me to one somewhere on this forum.

Thank you.
CarlH
1949 F3 Express

 

Since '48 to '52 Express beds are all alike, this '52 shows that area pretty well. I lifted this from eBay or somewhere, not mine. Stu

 

Thank you, Stu. Now I see that I am missing that body colored panel across the back just above the bumper.

CarlH
1949 F3 Express

 

The photo that Stu sent shows tail lights that appear to be mounted on a panel across the back. Would these be right for a '49 F3? Or are the ones that hang off the side the correct ones? I am confused. The tail lights were missing on my truck when I got it.

CarlH
1949 F3 Express

 

No, those aren't right. I questioned whether that pic was a good one to post but did it anyway since it showed the filler panel. The lights should be on the brackets like normal. Stu

 

That is what I thought, Stu. Looking at several photos of the rear of F3s shown on our own list, it looks like there is no panel above the bumper. The lower edges of the box seem to come straight out. Still a bit confused, but we will get it right in the long term. I will post a picture of my box and get comments.

CarlH
1949 F3 Express

 

How do the tailgate hinges and tail light brackets attach to the rear bed stake pocket? Bolts through holes in the pillar? Are the brackets mounted under the hinges?
Sorry for the simple question, but the bed on my truck had no tailgate hinges or taillight brackets. And the stake pocket pillars have been smoothed over with bondo! I don't know of another F3 in my area that I could look at.
CarlH
1949 F3 Express

 

Here's pics of them, plus another view of the filler panel under the gate. The pic of the bare passenger side pocket shows the captive nuts there to mount a light bracket. Stu

 

Thank you Stu! That is exactly what I needed. Now I have to dig out the captive nuts that someone covered over with Bondo. And have a plate made for the rear end.

CarlH
1949 F3 Express