It's Bedtime

64low-n-slow · Post by **64low-n-slow** » November 9, 2009, 10:45 am

Over the past 3 years I've done a bunch to this truck. Just now getting into the worst part, the bed. Until now haven't posted anything in Projects & Builds, but a lot of people, myself included, post questions about rust repairs, parts availability, etc. Must give credit to a few people in advance. First - Backyard Resto for doing the research to find an available bed floor panel that fits, second - Twistedfreak....you make metalwork look easy, and finally, everybody on this forum who shares such a great wealth of knowledge on these trucks.

Starting with a pic from the day I loaded the truck near Atlanta_

This truck was a great project, had been in the garage for 20 years. Cab was in great shape. I knew the inside of the bed might be a challenge, actually figured I could easily buy a clean bed for cheap (duh).

Here's a pic with the center of the floor cut out

64low-n-slow · Post by **64low-n-slow** » November 9, 2009, 11:00 am

Found a local sheet metal shop to bend up the 4 corner floor panels. Here they are along with the floor for trial fit. The floor panel I used was the correct width, but required some slight modification. First it is about 3 inches too long. Once I trimmed out the old front panel I got an exact measurement. I cut it using a straight edge and an air saw. Afterward I used 80 grit on a grinder to smooth the cut. The floor braces were different so I drilled out the spot welds and removed all 3, then moved the rear brace to the front to replace my original rusted out one. The second pic shows from the top where I welded it back on.

64low-n-slow · Post by **64low-n-slow** » November 9, 2009, 11:12 am

Last post for today, first pic is the front panel clamped into place. I cut off the top of the original front panel to reuse. It is rusted out in a few places but I'll patch it to retain as much of the original look as possible. A piece of square tubing would be an easier way to go.

A shot of inside the bed from the back. Spent this weekend sandblasting on the inside panels and mocking- up the floor and front panel. Nights when I am home this week I will finish prepping the inside for primer and finishing the hammer and dolly work to get ready for welding.

Left rear corner clamped in place .

ICEMAN6166 · Post by **ICEMAN6166** » November 9, 2009, 12:55 pm

very nice work !

36truck · Post by **36truck** » November 9, 2009, 4:27 pm

Loots of work doing that but you can't beat how it looks now. Great job.

Max · Post by **Max** » November 9, 2009, 5:40 pm

I agree, very nice! Will be sweet after it's painted. Don't forget to allow for drainage!

jwh f-100 · Post by **jwh f-100** » November 9, 2009, 5:48 pm

X4 very nice!!!!

Post by **Greg D** » November 9, 2009, 6:36 pm

Nice work.

tschmitt · Post by **tschmitt** » November 9, 2009, 7:12 pm

Great job looks great!

Jim · Post by **Jim** » November 9, 2009, 7:44 pm

I need to do the same for my 66, where did you buy the bed pannel?
thanks
Jim

Power by Ford · Post by **Power by Ford** » November 9, 2009, 7:45 pm

Looks very nice. What truck did the bed floor come from?

ezernut9mm · Post by **ezernut9mm** » November 9, 2009, 9:46 pm

i wish i was that ambitious. lookin' good.

64low-n-slow · Post by **64low-n-slow** » November 9, 2009, 10:05 pm

Thanks for the encouragement. I will add some drain holes into the corners before primer and paint for sure.

The bed panel is a factory Ford panel. It's an '08 F-250 4x4 6 1/2 foot replacement panel. Backyard resto has the part # listed on his build post.

kstones63 · Post by **kstones63** » November 10, 2009, 10:43 pm

Looking good. It's good to see that we can get a bed floor that looks good in these trucks even though it wasn't made for them.

Kevin

64low-n-slow · Post by **64low-n-slow** » December 4, 2009, 7:25 am

I've been slackin' on the Slick. Worked the last 3 weekends so had to take a break. Should finish all the welding and grinding this weekend and get the underside primed. Will post pics Sun.

tschmitt · Post by **tschmitt** » December 4, 2009, 10:05 pm

If you dont mind me asking could you tell me how much the bed floor cost? I may consider doing this to my bed as well and would like to have an idea financially how much this would cost me.

64low-n-slow · Post by **64low-n-slow** » December 5, 2009, 1:58 pm

Including tax, just over $300. There is still a fair amount of spotweld drilling and trimming needed with the new panel because the braces are not in the right location. I just needed 1 NEW part to work with for clean, straight edges.

tschmitt · Post by **tschmitt** » December 5, 2009, 7:09 pm

Thanks alot, im sure its going to turn out great.

64low-n-slow · Post by **64low-n-slow** » December 6, 2009, 7:03 pm

Didn't make the progress I hoped for this weekend. Spent most of today fixing fence so my honey's horses can't run away (shame). Did get more welding done and shot a few pics. If anybody wants to come by and help.....

ezernut9mm · Post by **ezernut9mm** » December 6, 2009, 8:01 pm

lookin' good man. can't wait to see the finished pics.