The Ford Barn

out plowing · 11-12-2013, 02:22 PM

I'm a bit confused, what is the difference between a 1930 and a so called '31 wide bed?

Larry Seemann · 11-12-2013, 02:52 PM

The wide bed box is 6.5" wider than the standard box. It's also somewhat longer but I don't know that measurement. The most significant factor is that the widebed uses rear fenders that are 3" narrower than the standard pickup, coupe, roadster fenders and the widebed fenders are not reproduced - at least not in steel.

Charlie Stephens · 11-12-2013, 03:52 PM

Another difference, based strictly on my preferences, is that the earlier bed looks better but the later bed is more practical if you are using it as a truck to carry things.

Charlie Stephens

SLPreston53 · 11-12-2013, 03:58 PM

The widebed has the middle tailgate hinge, missing from the standard bed. And it has a steel floor covering the wood in the bed.

CarlG · 11-12-2013, 04:03 PM

The wide-bed also does not have the Ford script on the tailgate.

Juggler · 11-12-2013, 04:11 PM

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Wide bed

Narrow bed

Cheers

Juggs

Hitchhiker · 11-12-2013, 10:13 PM

Seems like it is a little deeper too.

SSsssteamer · 11-13-2013, 10:20 AM

Deeper... Check out the beds' front panels as compared to the belt line on each cab. They both use the same cab, but the wide bed almost reaches the cab's belt molding.

SLPreston53 · 11-13-2013, 10:33 AM

Another difference is that the standard bed'd sides curve to meet the floor where the WB's are a 90 degree corner. Makes it easier to haul more.

darrylkmc · 11-13-2013, 12:02 PM

The Front Panel on the Wide Bed also has an Arc or Radius, similar to the Belt line on the back of the Cab.

The Front Panel on the Narrow Bed is straight across.

Darryl in Fairbanks 15 degrees F, with Freezing Rain 5" - 10" of Snow Mixed with Rain for the next 36 hours. I'll keep the Phaeton at home today.

David Conwill · 11-14-2013, 02:46 PM

On a related note, can anyone say what the original wood species was on a standard ‘31 bed and how it was finished? I’m thinking it was likely painted oak, but I’d like to know for certain.

Thanks!

Hitchhiker · 11-14-2013, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Conwill

On a related note, can anyone say what the original wood species was on a standard ‘31 bed and how it was finished? I’m thinking it was likely painted oak, but I’d like to know for certain.

Thanks!

You mean underneath the metal floor? Mine looks natural.

CarlG · 11-14-2013, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Conwill

On a related note, can anyone say what the original wood species was on a standard ‘31 bed and how it was finished? I’m thinking it was likely painted oak, but I’d like to know for certain.

Thanks!

"Standard '31 bed" ?? What do you mean by "Standard"? There were 2 distinctly different beds in '31.

The "narrow bed" had a wood floor, topside painted same color as the bed. From what I've read, the bottom was "Japan Black"

The "Wide Bed" was wood covered with a steel floor. Not sure how the wood was finished underneath the metal floor.

Art Bjornestad · 11-14-2013, 06:32 PM

I think he wanted to know what type of wood it was. Perhaps Alder or Oak?

11-12-2013, 02:22 PM	#1
out plowing Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Waverly, Iowa Posts: 64	30-31 pickup beds I'm a bit confused, what is the difference between a 1930 and a so called '31 wide bed?

11-12-2013, 02:52 PM	#2
Larry Seemann Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Spokane, WA. Posts: 496	Re: 30-31 pickup beds The wide bed box is 6.5" wider than the standard box. It's also somewhat longer but I don't know that measurement. The most significant factor is that the widebed uses rear fenders that are 3" narrower than the standard pickup, coupe, roadster fenders and the widebed fenders are not reproduced - at least not in steel. __________________ Larry Seemann

11-12-2013, 03:52 PM	#3
Charlie Stephens Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern California Posts: 7,033	Re: 30-31 pickup beds Another difference, based strictly on my preferences, is that the earlier bed looks better but the later bed is more practical if you are using it as a truck to carry things. Charlie Stephens

11-12-2013, 03:58 PM	#4
SLPreston53 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Long Beach, CA. Posts: 219	Re: 30-31 pickup beds The widebed has the middle tailgate hinge, missing from the standard bed. And it has a steel floor covering the wood in the bed.

11-12-2013, 04:03 PM	#5
CarlG Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 9,115	Re: 30-31 pickup beds The wide-bed also does not have the Ford script on the tailgate. __________________ Alaskan A's Antique Auto Mushers of Alaska Model A Ford Club of America Model A Restorers Club Antique Automobile Club of America Mullins Owner's Club

11-12-2013, 04:11 PM	#6
Juggler Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Phoenix AZ/Bath UK Posts: 481	Re: 30-31 pickup beds Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Wide bed Narrow bed Cheers Juggs

11-12-2013, 10:13 PM	#7
Hitchhiker Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Seattle Posts: 389	Re: 30-31 pickup beds Seems like it is a little deeper too. __________________ Matt in Seattle

11-13-2013, 10:20 AM	#8
SSsssteamer Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Sedro-Woolley, WA Posts: 1,023	Re: 30-31 pickup beds Deeper... Check out the beds' front panels as compared to the belt line on each cab. They both use the same cab, but the wide bed almost reaches the cab's belt molding.

11-13-2013, 10:33 AM	#9
SLPreston53 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Long Beach, CA. Posts: 219	Re: 30-31 pickup beds Another difference is that the standard bed'd sides curve to meet the floor where the WB's are a 90 degree corner. Makes it easier to haul more.

11-13-2013, 12:02 PM	#10
darrylkmc Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Fairbanks, Alaska Posts: 767	Re: 30-31 pickup beds The Front Panel on the Wide Bed also has an Arc or Radius, similar to the Belt line on the back of the Cab. The Front Panel on the Narrow Bed is straight across. Darryl in Fairbanks 15 degrees F, with Freezing Rain 5" - 10" of Snow Mixed with Rain for the next 36 hours. I'll keep the Phaeton at home today.

11-14-2013, 02:46 PM	#11
David Conwill Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bennington, Vermont 05201 Posts: 118	Re: 30-31 pickup beds On a related note, can anyone say what the original wood species was on a standard ‘31 bed and how it was finished? I’m thinking it was likely painted oak, but I’d like to know for certain. Thanks! __________________ ~~1961 Falcon Futura~~ ~~1962 Falcon Deluxe~~ Model T parts collector; gowjob aspirant.

11-14-2013, 06:32 PM	#14
Art Bjornestad Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Westlake Village, CA Posts: 477	Re: 30-31 pickup beds I think he wanted to know what type of wood it was. Perhaps Alder or Oak?