Pickup Bed Options

Tom Grz

Member
I’m rebuilding a ‘31 pickup that I purchased with no bed. I don’t want to spend a lot of money on an original roached bed that will need a lot of work, so I was thinking about doing something unique, budget friendly and appropriate for the time period. I thought about doing a mini version of an AA stakebed, which I’ve seen pictures of, but when I mocked it up with plywood, I didn’t like the proportions - it was as wide as it was long. Then driving around the other day, I saw a modern pickup with side tool boxes like the picture shown below and it got me thinking about doing something similar with long wooden tool boxes mounted over the wheels. I’ve never seen pictures of anything like it on a Model A, but I could imagine a carpenter or other tradesman doing something similar back in the day. I would be looking to do something with a weathered or distressed look. Has anyone ever seen anything like this? Pictures? Thoughts?
 

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On another thread I referenced a bed that might be termed "home-brew" that I saw on the local Facebook Marketplace. Advertised as a "Model T Bed" it could be as easily applied to a Model A.

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I might opine that the seller is not bashful in his pricing - but have you bought any rough sawn white oak recently?

Something like this could be generated in pine for a lot less money - and painted body color as might have been done "in the day."

One of the Model A attractions for me is EXACTLY this "adaptability" aspect. It was a car and an adaptability perfect for its time.

Google AI to the rescue: Use it up wear it out make it do.
"Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without" is a resourceful slogan, popularized during the Great Depression and World War II, that encourages people to conserve resources by using items fully, extending their lifespan through repairs, finding alternative uses, or forgoing the purchase of new items altogether.
Joe K
 
Great idea. Years back when I was farming on five or six different places my son and I built a bed with boxes on both sides divided for different uses. It was not pretty, we were in a hurry and it didn't matter, but it worked.

If you use hemlock it will last forever. and age nicely. Use straight slot screws.
 
I have an original roached bed, aint that hard to install a few patch panels........


to each his own.
 
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