Abe's 54 Rebuild Thread
 

Most of you know Old Betsy is in the shop to get some rust fixed, get a new "correct" 53-56 bed, and a repaint. I thought I would start a "Rebuild Thread." Here are some pictures I posted earlier.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.for...8f370ee4cc.jpg

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.for...d591bb9f00.jpg

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.for...79dd21140a.jpg

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.for...cfaa8ce7b3.jpg

Here is a picture taken today of my old bed. I have to get it in the garage where I will take it apart. I plan on using the boards, skid strips and the cross members. I plan on painting the the boards Meadow Green (with exterior house paint) as beds were painted body color when they came out of the factory.


https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.for...ff2d438995.jpg

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.for...fb395b141a.jpg

Will keep you all posted as we progress.

Glad you started this one.

I may have missed this elsewhere, but where did you buy the new bed?

And where did you find Meadow Green house paint?

I'm looking forward to this one.
What is your timeline?

Subscribing and awaiting more pictures.:-drink

Abe ole Betsy will be shining pretty after the rebuild. What color outside did you decide on. I'm sure the team had lots of suggestions.

I didn't get it yet. I am going to the local paint store and have them match my Meadow Green paint chip. In the factory they just sprayed the whole bed with the body paint but wood expands and contracts unlike sheet metal. So Ax and some others recommended I get good quality house paint.

I bought the bed from Mid West Early Ford at the Spring Carlisle last April for $600. I just got the two bed sides, the front panel and the rear cross member. I will use the other cross members from my old bed.

As soon as possible. In my head I was hoping for May, but he is really moving on it so I got to hustle and get my old bed apart, get my seat out, strip it and paint the frame and get it reupholstered.

So it may be earlier than May!

I am keeping it Meadow Green the original color.

Thanks to all and I will post more pics as I take them.

Abe, I am looking forward to seeing Betsy in her new paint! I've always liked the '54, my dad had one when I was a teenager. What is all that white stuff in the photo? I hope we get thru the rest of winter without seeing any more of it.
Mark

About that white stuff.... Last year had lots of it. My snow blower was used hard. So far this year I haven't had to use it. Thought I would today but we got more rain than snow. It is very sloppy today.

Subscribing

Congrats! That's exciting, I'm also looking forward to the progress.

Factory correct or not, the one thing that really catches people's eyes on these trucks is the wood beds, in natural tones. I couldn't bring myself to paint them.

Yes, I know what you mean, but my oak bed is turning black after 17 years. So I decided to paint the boards green.

No doubt painted beds are more durable, but natural wood tones are more attractive. It looks like you plan to drive and use your truck as opposed to a show queen, same as me. With that in mind, 100% Tung oil might be a good choice. I think re-oiling it from time to time would keep it looking good and avoid the dreaded cracking varnish syndrome. And you wouldn't have to worry about scratches from real loads.