'48-'50 Beds vs '42-'47 Beds
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From: Oakdale,Ca.
'48-'50 Beds vs '42-'47 Beds
I thought I'd take a moment and let you guys/gals know what I know now.
A while back there was a thread stating the beds were the same, only the fenders were different. The bedsides on my '42 are pretty rough, so I started looking for a new bed.
I came across a '48 F1, bed was pretty straight so I scooped it up and hauled it home. Just pulled the rear fenders off and got to looking a bit more closely.
My '42 has one continous indentation running the length of the bedsides (you guys know what I'm talking about) but the '48 bed does not have the same indentation...it's indetation is broken up at the tire area with an outline (more indentation) of a tire...one quick look inside the bed shows this quite cleary.
This isn't an issue for anyone just needing a bed, but for those trying to stay "orginally correct", it's a no-go. I think the area above the running board in front of the fender is different as well, I'll check that out later this afternoon.
Well, at least I wound up with a better tailgate...and a whole lot of '48 Ford to boot
A while back there was a thread stating the beds were the same, only the fenders were different. The bedsides on my '42 are pretty rough, so I started looking for a new bed.
I came across a '48 F1, bed was pretty straight so I scooped it up and hauled it home. Just pulled the rear fenders off and got to looking a bit more closely.
My '42 has one continous indentation running the length of the bedsides (you guys know what I'm talking about) but the '48 bed does not have the same indentation...it's indetation is broken up at the tire area with an outline (more indentation) of a tire...one quick look inside the bed shows this quite cleary.
This isn't an issue for anyone just needing a bed, but for those trying to stay "orginally correct", it's a no-go. I think the area above the running board in front of the fender is different as well, I'll check that out later this afternoon.
Well, at least I wound up with a better tailgate...and a whole lot of '48 Ford to boot
Last edited by 3Mike6; Mar 14, 2005 at 05:11 PM.
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From: Oakdale,Ca.
Yeah, I just checked on the '42 in the barn...the area above the running board in front of the fender is a seperate piece on the '42...on the '48 bed is part of the bedside.
With a little metal work, it's all workable..i/e cutout the tire indentation and fit a new piece in...and cut out the area in front of the fender in order to bolt in the lower bedside piece.
Anyways, choices for me now are to either go aftermarket, or roll out the plasma cutter.
With a little metal work, it's all workable..i/e cutout the tire indentation and fit a new piece in...and cut out the area in front of the fender in order to bolt in the lower bedside piece.
Anyways, choices for me now are to either go aftermarket, or roll out the plasma cutter.
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From: Southern Oregon
I just finished the body work and initial priming on my 48 bed yesterday. Yahoo!! My 48 bed is going on the 46. I would say use the bed if it is in relatively good shape. That indentation you are talking about actually follows the 48 fender line. You can straighten it out as I did on the outside. However you have to go with it on the inside. You can either use 48 fenders, or 46 fenders with very slight mod.
Mike
Mike
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I reread the original post, and did not realize you were going restoration/original. The 48 bed I have did not have an indentation for tire. It had the same tire mounting bracket on the side as the 46. However there is the fender outline stamped into the side panel like I mentioned. The 48-52 beds will work on the 42-47 trucks, but as you indicated they are not exactly the same. The panel in front of the rear fender is not only one piece, it is slightly longer, top to bottom.
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Now that's odd, the '48 I have came with a spare tire bracket to fit under the bed. Very well could be that the bed on this '48 I have is not original to it.
When I said "tire indentation" I mean in the bedside, where the rear tires would ride...under/inside the fenders. Same indentation that is seen from the inside, sticking out into the bed.
My '42 won't be concourse or anything close to a 100 pt truck, I just want to keep it as original looking as possible...you know...I don't want anyone saying "Nice truck, but something just doesn't look right".
Awww, who knows...I could wind up with a Coors in one hand and torch in the other...next thing I know I'll have it chopped and channeled and trying to figure out how it got that way
When I said "tire indentation" I mean in the bedside, where the rear tires would ride...under/inside the fenders. Same indentation that is seen from the inside, sticking out into the bed.
My '42 won't be concourse or anything close to a 100 pt truck, I just want to keep it as original looking as possible...you know...I don't want anyone saying "Nice truck, but something just doesn't look right".
Awww, who knows...I could wind up with a Coors in one hand and torch in the other...next thing I know I'll have it chopped and channeled and trying to figure out how it got that way
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From: Southern Oregon
I know what you are describing now. Yes my bed has the same wheel indentation. It would be covered up by fenders, and only a few of us in the world would look at it from the inside of the bed, and say ah ha. I've seen about 6 46's running 48-50 fenders and they look pretty good.
The stamped outline of the fenders into the panels was something that I didn't notice until I got to working on the body work. Multiple layers of paint and a variety of colors caused it to escape my notice. The outline completely straightened out on the outside, but can still be seen from the inside. You could buy two new side panels, or maybe cut out the panel and fab a replacement.
The stamped outline of the fenders into the panels was something that I didn't notice until I got to working on the body work. Multiple layers of paint and a variety of colors caused it to escape my notice. The outline completely straightened out on the outside, but can still be seen from the inside. You could buy two new side panels, or maybe cut out the panel and fab a replacement.
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