1961 F100 4X4 Bed Question.

[C.G.]

I have a 1961 step side long bed F100 4X4 truck. I wanted to know if a standard long bed would be a direct swap out? If so, what years will work, and how do I tell if it is correct?
Thanks for the help.

[Toyz]

Although they were reputedly unavailable for 1961, the Styleside beds we fondly refer to as "wrongbeds" will fit. They were originally found on all Styleside 4x4 slicks EXCEPT the '66 F100 4x4, as well as '62/'63 2wd longbed Stylesides. Your truck and all 4x4 slicks with the above exception, shared the same 120" wheelbase; the '61/'63 2wd were 122". The same "wrongbeds" were used for those applications.
Paul

[6166 Junkyard Dog]

57-65 4x4 wrong beds are different from the 2wd wrong beds,, even thou they look the same, same parts used as well as part numbers,, BUT the biggest change is where the cross members where located and drilled.. So if you are using a 2wd wrong bed on a 4x4, you will either relocate the cross members under the bed OR re-drill the holes in the frame

[C.G.]

Thanks for the information.
Being as 4X4 beds around here are pretty scarce if I put a 57-65 wrong bed on my truck, can I leave the cross members where they are and not affect anything? I would just need to drill new mounting holes in the frame?

[tomsrod]

Yes, and don't forget the wooden spacers between each hole in the bed and the frame. I'm not sure of the type of wood, but I used the tightest grain I could find at a wood working shop (I don't recall what it was) and painted them with POR15. They look exactly the same as when I installed them.
Personally I like the look of the long bed flareside, but that's just me.

Pat

[C.G.]

Thanks for the tip on the wooden spacers. I am weighing my options on repairing or replacing.

[ICEMAN6166]

57-65 4x4 wrong beds are different from the 2wd wrong beds,, even thou they look the same, same parts used as well as part numbers,, BUT the biggest change is where the cross members where located and drilled.. So if you are using a 2wd wrong bed on a 4x4, you will either relocate the cross members under the bed OR re-drill the holes in the frame

not entirely correct

the wood blocks in the center crossmembers only need changing, the bed holes all line up in the frame.
this is because the 2wd frame is curved while the 4x4 is flat.