stepside bed exchange
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 115
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From: Norway
stepside bed exchange
Im in the process of buying a used step-side bed from the States. I told the import company that I could use any bed from 1953 through to 1972. Since he`s importing a whole truck and I only need the bed, my question is: can I use the frame crossmembers from any of these trucks or do I have to buy the bed frame crossmembers for a 53-55 F-100?
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 164
Likes: 0
From: Cadiz,KY
stepside bed exchange
The bed cross members you can use. It is where your mounting bolts are where you might have to modify to work. Also check your wheelbase against the truck being shipped. A 57-60 long stepside truck the fenders are in the middle of the bed. The 60's and 70's they were moved towards the back of the bed. Also check your step lengths. Measure before you buy. Some of the newer frames are a little wider than the older ones. You should have no trouble mounting the bed with a little modifcation. The short beds you should be alright. Measure center of front wheel to center of rear wheel on your truck then measure the donor truck BEFORE you buy. Hope this helps.
Fordmann
Fordmann
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 25,401
Likes: 5,408
From: Central PA
stepside bed exchange
Airwick,
Yes the Flareside (or step side) beds and fenders from 1953 to 1972 are identical. But beware: the fenders on the newer beds are mounted higher than they were on the '53 to '56. I don't know exactly what year they mounted them higher but this I know. My truck is a 1954. I bought a used bed and fenders from a 1971 pickup. I didn't notice the difference until my truck was finished. My body man had a problem putting on the running boards, and it looked like a lot of tire was showing in the fender well. So I measured the space between the top of the fender and the beginning of the flare on my old bed and my 1971 bed. The space on the old bed measured something like 5.5 inches while the newer bed measured something like 3.5. Look at my gallery and compare the before and after pictures. But only experts like us notice it. Someday I may buy a repro bed and make it right but it is OK for now.
Yes the Flareside (or step side) beds and fenders from 1953 to 1972 are identical. But beware: the fenders on the newer beds are mounted higher than they were on the '53 to '56. I don't know exactly what year they mounted them higher but this I know. My truck is a 1954. I bought a used bed and fenders from a 1971 pickup. I didn't notice the difference until my truck was finished. My body man had a problem putting on the running boards, and it looked like a lot of tire was showing in the fender well. So I measured the space between the top of the fender and the beginning of the flare on my old bed and my 1971 bed. The space on the old bed measured something like 5.5 inches while the newer bed measured something like 3.5. Look at my gallery and compare the before and after pictures. But only experts like us notice it. Someday I may buy a repro bed and make it right but it is OK for now.
