48 F-1 wood bed kit, anybody done one?
 

Hey guys, I am getting ready to tackle the bed floor on my 48. Sadly the metal floor was removed prior to me buying it. I am looking at the kit that Mac's sells. It comes with risers to get over the side wheel well humps. Has anybody used one of these kits? How do they look? I noticed lmc has a kit too but there is about $100 difference in price. If anybody has done one of these please chime in. Thanks.

Re: 48 F-1 wood bed kit, anybody done one?
 

I installed a kit I got from Classic Haulers. More time is spent fitting and finishing the wood, installation is pretty quick & easy. I had a small issue with the metal bed strips, holes at the tail end not quite right. The wood had to be trimmed a bit so it would fit between the sides. Northern Classic trucks might be another source.

Re: 48 F-1 wood bed kit, anybody done one?
 

We used northern classic trucks for sub floor and new stainless steel rails. I've got chestnut planks for the floor.

Re: 48 F-1 wood bed kit, anybody done one?
 

This is for my wife's 41 half ton not the tonner.

Re: 48 F-1 wood bed kit, anybody done one?
 

I used a piece of MDF as a sub-strait and 3/4"cedar boards from a salvage building materials supplier. A local guy made the stainless strips with hidden 1/4-20 studs. I finished it with boiled linseed oil. It can be lifted as a unit and my total cost was about $150.00.

Re: 48 F-1 wood bed kit, anybody done one?
 

I had to construct my bed from scratch as it was a flatbed. I would suggest that you be sure to get the special medal strip bolts as they are knurled near the head and have to be tapped or pressed into the strip, but they won't spin when you tighten the nuts (they are rounded heads). Also I would be sure to purchase a roll of the weather stripping that goes between the bed and the side rails. Looks good and makes for a closer fit.
In my situation I was concerned using pre drilled strips because my bed was not stock and I was worried about the predrilled holes being aligned with my medal cross braces. The strips do not bolt to the braces, they are held in place with large washers and set in groves in the top of bed boards.
It's a fun project and rewarding when you see the finished job. Enjoy the adventure.

Re: 48 F-1 wood bed kit, anybody done one?
 

For my 36 1/2 ton I left the factory metal floor in place, although it was pretty banged up and had rusty pinholes throughout.

I replaced the hardwood boards that make up the subfloor under the metal bed.

Then I used a 3/4" plywood to cover the bed. I used a router to cut strips into the plywood that match the factory strips on the metal bed. Then I ordered plain steel bed strips and had the factory pre-punch the square holes in the locations I gave them. The plywood is gel-stained to match oak woodgrain and then clearcoated with a UV protected polyurethane.

Fits perfect, looks like individual boards, was economical, and is easily replaced if it ever gets weathered.

Re: 48 F-1 wood bed kit, anybody done one?
 

Thinking of just going my own way and building my own subfloor and then using some reclaimed wood for the final slats. I want this to match my truck and look like it's been there awhile. Where can I get plain steel strips with te square holes already punched? Also, how do you guys finish off the end where the tailgate is?

Re: 48 F-1 wood bed kit, anybody done one?
 

The bed rails are available from Northern Classic Trucks. At their website, click on complete beds, then the picture to show the one you want. A parts list will appear.
I believe $50 for plain steel $150 for stainless.
They may list a cap for the end, I got my end cap from Classic Haulers.

Re: 48 F-1 wood bed kit, anybody done one?
 

Mac's Auto Parts has all the parts for your bed. Strips with square punched holes in plain, s.s. and polished, bolt kits, end cap (medal end strip). This iswhere I got my parts. www.MacsAutoParts.com

Re: 48 F-1 wood bed kit, anybody done one?
 

Yes that was my initial question, I asked if anybody had used it. If somebody has, how did it look and were they happy with it? If I go this route I have to age or "grey" the boards to match the patina of my truck.

Re: 48 F-1 wood bed kit, anybody done one?
 

Vanspeed
Check salvage company's for oak sheeting from old barns and equipment sheds.
Should find what you want. You can do the rest with a table saw.
Bruce