Pickups w/ steel flat beds

[Gretsch]

Question for all of you guys - how much of a pain in the a** is it to remove steal flat beds from 40's pickups and replace with a standard bed? Crazy money for someone to do it or a couple cases of beer?

 

[Gregster]

If you can sell the bed or at least sell it for scrap you can most likely recoupe most of the costs

 

[rockabillyrat]

Why not keep the flat bed?

I love this truck!! fellow RRR member too.

 

[DJ3100]

Here's another flatbed. I like it - but then, it's mine.

 

[Gretsch]

who says I would get rid of it? Just curious if I'd be buying myself into a hole of hardship and $$$ in order to put on a proper bed if I want to - have seen some beautiful wood beds around - I like yours. Just keeping my options open.

 

[rockabillyrat]

Sick truck DJ3100!!!

 

[DJ3100]

Sick truck DJ3100!!!

Thanks.

The flatbed on my '53 sets the truck apart from all the other restorations and restorods that are out there. Adding some detail, like wooden sides, stake pockets, or even striping to the flatbed could make your truck very distinctive, also.

The area under the bed, in front of the wheelwells, on my truck has boxes I made to fit and match the bed, but that area could also have round fuel or air tanks like a big rig. Or hooks with tire chains or ???? I think the flat bed offers lots of options that the stock bed doesn't.

Once you put the stock bed on, folks start evaluating the workmenship. Truck beds need a lot of "workmanship" ($$$$) to get them back to marginal.

Just some food for thought.

 

[CORPO]

DJ...

I think we need to see some more pictures of your flat bed!

 

[Gretsch]

Nice, I was hoping this subject would pull all of the truckers out of their hiding places.

I had been eyeing this truck on ebay out in CA (naturally other side of the continent from me). With some sanding work and a nice darker stain this bed would look really nice.

I'd also slam the stance of the truck. [dr

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1946...ewItemQQptZUS_Cars_Trucks?hash=item25591b6f1c

 

[Flipper_1938]

Why not keep the flat bed?

I love this truck!! fellow RRR member too.

That's mine. I'm glad you like it.

Here is the build thread.

http://ratrodsrule.com/forum/showthread.php?t=604&highlight=centerline

 

[Ol Blue]

Mine wasn't a big deal at all to go to a stepside bed.The flatbed was just clamped on with u-bolts. This is the way I bought it about 16 years ago, and the way it is now.

 

[Flipper_1938]

That is the way my flatbed used to be. I shortened the bed and raised it with respect to the cab.

now

 

[Gretsch]

Damn impressive work Ole Blue. [

 

[DJ3100]

DJ...

I think we need to see some more pictures of your flat bed!

Corpo, I'll post a new thread with pics of my '53.

I like that ebay truck. I think the only problem with putting the stepside on it comes in the form of $$$$. It will probably be difficult to find a serviceable, original bed. Repops aren't all that expensive for the sheet metal -$700 - $1500 (maybe those prices are out of date). But by the time you add the wood, divider strips, hardware, prep and paint it all adds up. I have about $700 in my flatbed which includes metal, wood, sandblasting, paint, boxes, and bed liner. And it has a trunk.

 

[Flipper_1938]

And it has a trunk.

Mine has a trunk under it also. ...mine is under the front end. It is big enough to hold a medium sized cooler, a tool box, and 4 folding chairs.