My 52 M3 has curved pockets but LMC truck shows straight pockets and curved pockets on 1950's

 

 

Two of mine were rusted out on the bottom. Another FTE member was nice enough to cut them off a bed he had that was in rough condition. Plenty of rough beds out there.

 

Rage is very correct, the F1 stake pockets are vastly different from the F2/F3 ones including the width. If you were to put some aftermarket F1 pockets on the taller, wider bed, they would look weird at best.

Like Scott did, I had to use some donor pockets and have them grafted onto my bed. The guy who cut them for me knew what he had and got a fair amount of money for his time and effort. I paid the shipping and then the labor to a local body shop to cut off the old ones then repair the donors and make them look pretty again. Four of my old ones were too far gone, I re-used two of them.
Lots of welding and grinding involved.
I'd like to hear of someone reproducing the larger stake pockets but it probably won't be practical for anyone to tool up and do production runs.
Tom

 

 

Hello, x2 what pcf said. I ordered f1 stake pockets several years ago with the idea to cut and extend them. Would have looked plum wimpy at best, since they're narrower too. I ended up cutting out the rot at the bottoms and making patches with a small piece of 16 Guage and a ballpeen hammer to get the contour. Then tacked them back in. Yes, ever coat was involved to finish them up. Then I drilled new drain holes so they can plug up again.they turned out too good, the bottom 3"is the only part that is smooth, the rest of the stake pockets have 65 years of surface pitting. If I were to do it again, I believe I would just make new ones and 45* the bottom. Good luck, larry

 

The one's I have on the old bed isn't that bad, I think they are spot welded on the bed so maybe I can try to take them off.
Thanks again for all the help
Don52M3