The Ford Barn

Steve Plucker · 10-28-2019, 09:25 AM

Has any body restored a Model A pickup bed?

The rivets used are unlike those used on the frame and other like items in relation the the head of the rivet.

Ones used on the frame and such have a somewhat more rounded head than those on the pickup bed.

That being the case...where can I get rivets that are correct to rivet items to the bed to make it more original looking?

Will contact Big Rivets today.

Thanks.

Pluck

Steve Plucker · 10-28-2019, 09:35 AM

OK...I found them...they are reffered to as "Brazier Head" rivets.

From Big Flat Rivets.

Pluck

Neil Wilson · 10-28-2019, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Plucker

OK...I found them...they are reffered to as "Brazier Head" rivets. From Big Flat Rivets. Pluck

Pluck, I believe you will find the modern day "brazier head" rivets will not match original rivet heads. I bought the Big Flat Rivets package for installing my 82-A closed cab floor pan. The rivet heads have a larger diameter and are flatter. Searching the Internet shows these rivets are about the best one will find. I may machine the heads to a smaller diameter (for those which show around the seat riser).

Steve Plucker · 10-28-2019, 10:34 AM

You are right Neil...That is going to take a lot of machining! Fortunatly I am just replacing the front panel and the back "U" part.

Pluck

Russ/40 · 10-28-2019, 11:33 AM

Pluck, when restoring my truck I also found some of the needed rivets were either hard to locate or were non-obtanium. I made my own when necessary.

Example in point: you can take a common round head rivet and invert the head from a half round headed rivet to a flat head countersunk one. Simply take a countersink bit and make a buck. Take half inch thick steel stock, drill through with the shank size needed, and finish with a counter sink giving the needed head diameter. Heat the base rivet and drop it in the buck, strike the dome head flat to fill the countersink with a 2 pound sledge. You now have the perfect flat countersink rivet. Hope this is clear enough. Similar techniques are easily fashioned for other rivet characteristics. I found them all to be easily reproduced.

Mad Mac · 10-28-2019, 02:54 PM

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And they do not need to be heated when installed. Did all mine cold and they are still tight after 20 years.

ford31 · 10-28-2019, 09:23 PM

macks moberly,mo

10-28-2019, 09:25 AM	#1
Steve Plucker BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Walla Walla, Washington USA Posts: 6,066	Pickup bed rivets... Has any body restored a Model A pickup bed? The rivets used are unlike those used on the frame and other like items in relation the the head of the rivet. Ones used on the frame and such have a somewhat more rounded head than those on the pickup bed. That being the case...where can I get rivets that are correct to rivet items to the bed to make it more original looking? Will contact Big Rivets today. Thanks. Pluck Last edited by Steve Plucker; 10-28-2019 at 10:30 AM.

10-28-2019, 09:35 AM	#2
Steve Plucker BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Walla Walla, Washington USA Posts: 6,066	Re: Pickup bed rivets... OK...I found them...they are reffered to as "Brazier Head" rivets. From Big Flat Rivets. Pluck

10-28-2019, 10:34 AM	#4
Steve Plucker BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Walla Walla, Washington USA Posts: 6,066	Re: Pickup bed rivets... You are right Neil...That is going to take a lot of machining! Fortunatly I am just replacing the front panel and the back "U" part. Pluck

10-28-2019, 11:33 AM	#5
Russ/40 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Santee, California Posts: 3,505	Re: Pickup bed rivets... Pluck, when restoring my truck I also found some of the needed rivets were either hard to locate or were non-obtanium. I made my own when necessary. Example in point: you can take a common round head rivet and invert the head from a half round headed rivet to a flat head countersunk one. Simply take a countersink bit and make a buck. Take half inch thick steel stock, drill through with the shank size needed, and finish with a counter sink giving the needed head diameter. Heat the base rivet and drop it in the buck, strike the dome head flat to fill the countersink with a 2 pound sledge. You now have the perfect flat countersink rivet. Hope this is clear enough. Similar techniques are easily fashioned for other rivet characteristics. I found them all to be easily reproduced.

10-28-2019, 02:54 PM	#6
Mad Mac Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: New Zealand Posts: 366	Re: Pickup bed rivets... Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) And they do not need to be heated when installed. Did all mine cold and they are still tight after 20 years.

10-28-2019, 09:23 PM	#7
ford31 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Rocky Mount,MO. Posts: 410	Re: Pickup bed rivets... macks moberly,mo