1948 f1 metal bed conversion for shortbed

G

gtdohn

Senior Member
Who has converted their metal over wood bed to just wood with stainless strips? And what kit did you use?
Thank you
 
gtdohn said:
Who has converted their metal over wood bed to just wood with stainless strips? And what kit did you use?
Thank you
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I did one about 50 years ago but I think it was wood with
metal strips. To shorten it I removed the front of the box
behind the window, cut the bed and sides to the short bed
length. I remember carefully removing the front side pockets
and moving them back. It came out good. G.M.
 
Has anyone else installed a wood bed kit in place of their metal bed? I would love to hear from you, and get some details.
 
Dick said:
Here is a link to previous posting on the subject.
Classis Haulers have merged with Mid Fifties.
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=173609
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Thanks for that. Unfortunately, Mid Fifties doesn't really have a bed wood kit for a 1948. It lists a so called kit, but with a very vague description and no photos at all. You really can't tell just what you are getting. The price also leads me to believe that it is not what I am looking for.
 
So, the two companies mentioned in that old thread are both out of business. Has anyone used a kit from a company that is still in business. That would be very helpful.
 
Try Sacramento Vintage Ford. They have a lot of pickup parts and I believe they have bed wood kits.
 
38bill said:
Did you check out the site I posted before? They make complete kits as well as individual parts. Here is a link to their page about complete kits to convert from metal to wood.

http://horkeyswoodandparts.com/page24.php
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Yes, thank you, I checked it out. I'm trying to find a kit that is a little more reasonable. The Horkey site quotes a price of $933 and then there is a $200 shipping fee. There has to be one out there for much less.
 
I'm still not sure what you are after, there must be a dozen suppliers that you can find with a quick search. Mac's would most likely be the cheapest supplier. You want the cheapest solution cut and route your own lumber and purchase the strips and hardware.
 
JSeery said:
I'm still not sure what you are after, there must be a dozen suppliers that you can find with a quick search. Mac's would most likely be the cheapest supplier. You want the cheapest solution cut and route your own lumber and purchase the strips and hardware.
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I agree with this solution if you are looking for cheap. You should have stated you were looking for the cheap way out in the beginning.
 
If you want to go the cheap route just cover the tin bed floor with plywood. I have seen it done with just plain plywood or use a nicer plywood and route grooves into the plywood and install the stock type steel strips so it looks more like individual boards. You can also use individual boards and the steel strips over the tin. I have a drawing I made that shows dimensions for the wood boards for '38-'41 1/2T box if you want to cut your own wood. If you want to remove the tin floor you will have to cut it out and then make a subframe that the wood will sit on so the top surface is slightly higher than the stock tin floor was so as to cover the cut edge on the side of the box.
 
So, all I ever wanted was for someone to let me know if they have PERSONALLY used a kit,which one was it and how did they like it. I don't how these threads get so off base from where they start.
 
Your original post asked what kit people used on the conversion. Then after they gave you several selections you indicated they were too expensive. So if one of the guys had told you they used the Bruce Horkey kit and loved it, you would have passed on it due to the price. You should have been specific and indicated you were looking for an inexpensive bed wood kit. Did you take time to call Sacramento Vintage Ford? Sometime back they had the wood kits and they were very reasonable in my opinion. I saw them on display and they looked good. JMHO
 
Yes, I received plenty of suggestions, but not one from a person that actually used the kit.
That's what I'm looking for. If someone actually uses something, then they can be a source of opinion on such things as what came in the kit, and how was it to install, etc. I can look up companies that sell kits, but they are so badly described half of the time, you don't know what you are getting and when you call them, they have no knowledge of their product.
By the way, I am not looking for the cheapest kit, but $1,100 for a wood bed kit is just too much.
 
One more time, did you call Sacramento Vintage Ford? 1-888-ford-100. Part#8433-8. They show a bed wood kit for the conversion from a steel floor to a wood floor that has the following parts;Gives you the 6 boards, 5 unpunched metal bed strips, special spacers, strip bolts and brackets. The kit is designed for the '40-50 F-1. The price is $395 , but is from the 2009 catalog, so it has probably gone up in price.
 
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