So I'm having a major PITA time finding a long bed for my truck. I had planned on getting a long bed and trimming it down a little in length. The long beds are taller and wider, I think this looks A LOT better, especially for what I'm doing.

From what I've gathered the short beds are the same from 1953-1972. The 73-79 short beds however have almost the same measurements as a pre-73 long bed. 54" inside, 19.5" inside (however this will be a couple more inches, but I'll get to that) and 6.5' long, from what I've been told.

Now the flat-top is a fairly easy fix to me, and angling it at a 45 like the pre-73 ones would add a couple inches resulting with the inside being at about 22 inches or so, the same as a long bed.

Since I had already planned on trimming a little off the long bed, the 73-79 shortbed really starts to look like a smart way to go.

My only concern at the moment is in a couple parts catalogs the fenders are listed differently. I can't tell if this has something to do with the mounting or if there is no difference. I've put pictures side by side and overlapped them and they look identical to me, however I'd appreciate knowing for certain...


Thoughts, ideas?

Finding one of these might not be easier if the one I found doesn't work out (bit of a ways away and I can't drive the distance with my truck yet), but it gives me some options as short beds are so much easier to find than anything else.

 

I looked up LMC and they list the rear fenders for 48-56 57-72 and 72-79 all as the same part number. I have heard there was one difference between the 48-56 and the later models and that was the bolt holes for the running boards are higher on the later models.

 

Thanks, thats what I thought but it would be a stupid problem to have done to myself, lol

 

Stephen,

Yup, the big difference is the location on the bedsides where the fenders bolt to it, I think the fenders mount lower on the 53-56 trucks than later trucks (dont quote me on that...lol)

I say that if you have a late model bed available to you then go for it. What have you got to lose? worse case scenario is that it doesn't look quite right and you'll have to find an earlier bed. Heck, it could even be a good substitute while you keep looking. It should be fairly easy to find a late model bed, they are all over the place as pick-up bed trailers

Bobby

 

All good info man. I have a '72 model box on my truck. The fenders are about 2 1/2" higher than the '53 to '56 box. I originally thought that it was a problem, but in my case, I liked the added "rake" it made the truck have so I extended my running boards to go under the rear fenders and have 3 running board brackets on each side instead of 2. I also dont have the boards bolted to the front fenders either, this allows the runnin boards to "float" so if I go over a speed bump or whatever, it dont hurt the fenders.

The '72 and newer box's also had a wheel tub made into the box so the beds were wider which would work for what your doing ( I assume that your buildin a bed that matches your big truck?) Good luck with the truck.

 

Thats a good idea with the running boards, I might have to steal that as I plan on a full tilt front so they wouldn't be attached in the front anyways.

I had already thought about making the rear fenders a little larger to match somethings with the front, so this does seem like a better idea the more I think about it.

lol, now I just have to find one! Crap... probably going to be just as big of a PITA...lol

 

Have you thought about building your own? You can make it any size you want. I seem to remember someone on this site who built their own and it looked good.
Brian

 

It was tip49 that built his own bed.https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...&albumid=30211


LOL...its hard to keep track of whats being posted with these two different bed threads going at once.

I kept the original bedsides on my 49 as I like the earlier raised bed side and rounded stake pocket look of the pre 1950 beds. I did ad the front panel and bedfloor from a 2005 GMC though.

Bobby

 

lol I'll answer what was in the '81 bed question cause I think that was for here, lol.

I looked into making my own, and I might end up doing so. But it's still going to cost about $200 at least in steel, and I have to find someone with a large enough break to put the bend in. So if I can find a bed in good shape it might just be worth my while.

 

Actually, making your own bed sides is pretty simple, and allows you to make your bed any custom size you think will be best for your application. I built a little box trailer from scratch and took some sheet metal I bought to a local sheet metal fab shop. They sheared my 4x8 sheets to the size I wanted, and then put them in a press brake to bend the top edges over. Cost was very minimal, and I have a 6x8 utility trailer with 2' high removable sides that looks store bought.

Depending on how picky you are, the chances of finding a good, used bed, that's not all beat to crap and has the metal stretched from here to the next county might be pretty rare.