Hey guys, I am new on here and new to restoring trucks. I have found alot of helpful advice on here and now I have another question. What kind of bed does my truck have. I have heard it is kind of rare, but I have no clue. It is a 1963 f250 longbed. I am hoping to soon start restoring my truck, and need some suggestions on keeping the the truck stock looking or more of a custom look? And besides people seeling parts on here, what is a good catolog for finding parts for my truck. Thanks!!

 

 

That, sir, is a Flareside. I do believe the 8 foot beds are somewhat rare.

Now go back and edit your post to delete the word Fleetside before NumberDummy sees it.

Then check out Dennis Carpenter, Carolina Classics, National Parts Depot and the other site sponsors for parts to keep these fine trucks running.

Oh, yeah, Welcome to FTE!!

 

Just to further clarify, the bed you have is a flairside as stated below. The alternative is a styleside which is what I have. You can most likely guess what that bed looks like.

And I would amend your title. NumberDummy is just one of the people who will jump all over you using a non-ford term.

 

Actually we boil you in hot oil..........

Welcome to FTE.

Step-side is a generic term unfortunately copyrighted by GM. We will rib everyone on the terminology, but it is all in good fun. No need to amend. we understand.

Your truck is a not to common long bed flair side with the optional outboard spare tire holder and fender. Parts for the bed it self will be difficult to find. Some components are not made like the tail gate which differs from the short bed unit.

Garbz

 

Yeah, the optional spare tire bracket for the optional spare tire seems like a hard piece to find, too.

 

Welcome to FTE!! Purchased the wooden bed kit for my 65 flareside approx. 5-6 yrs ago, gave it couple coats of a varnish type substance and the bed is beginning to show wear. The kits run around $500, depending upon type wood and metal strips used. Posting a link to recent thread where topic of the flareside bed came up. Including another link to Ken Selvy's gallery with pic's of the bed on his truck using synthetic planks, just posting as food for thought. If cost is comparable I am incline to stick with the original wooden bed, pretty much a direct installation no refab. or modification required. I would have to look thru my 'bookmarks' but seem to recall there's a metal kit for the flareside but have not spent much time reading up on it.

Suggest focus on making sure your classic treasure is mechanically sound and in the meantime drive he/she and compile list of items needed while deciding if, or how far want to get into reconditioning/restoring, and whether or not want to consider any upgrades. Again, welcome to FTE, don't hesitate asking questions, looking forward to your input!!.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...ssmembers.html

1977 Ford F100 4x2 - New bed floor

Posting link to couple articles in Classic Truck Magazine: Installation of Flareside bed>http://www.classictrucks.com/tech/09...all/index.html; and Repair of the Flareside bed>http://www.classictrucks.com/tech/09...air/index.html

 

B7C1433A .. Flareside Spare Tire Bracket-Mounts to bed side / Obsolete / Fits: 1957/72 F100.

CARPENTER NOS OBSOLETE PARTS has ONE = 704-786-8139.

 

Thanks for all of the help. I am sure I will have many more questions for you guys!

 

you guys are making me want to change my username... i feel like im going to get shunned....

 

You can defer as i once said after a particularity gnarally 5.11 route. "i didn't know".


Garbz

 

Nice looking "flare". No, we won't "shun" you (I love that word), but can't guarantee that some folks wont' point and giggle. Someone mentioned the tailgates. Yes, they are hard to find. Last I checked Green Sales had a NOS one for $600 (IIRC). Here's my F250 FLARE:

 

B7D8340700A .. Flareside Tailgate ~ 54 13/16" long / Use with 8' bed / Obsolete / Fits: 1957/72 F100/250.

COLLECTORS AUTO SUPPLY in Oroville WA has ONE = 800-414-4462.

GREEN SALES CO. in Cincinnati OH has THREE = 800-543-4959.