Thread: Project Special K

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Originally Posted by Whiplash23T

Looking good Steve, I just hope and pray that the weather doesn't change and start to rain as it would take some man handling to get that into your garage.

Actually that's the beauty of the stand, it's bed height, so with some major pushing it will slide on the frame of the truck. The frame is coated with Por 15, which doesn't seem to scratch despite sharp edges and heavy wt.!

That new panel looks good,Steve...didnt know you could buy those new..Who makes them?

There is something really cool about new sheet metal!!
Looks really nice.
Ken

Originally Posted by lamin8r

That new panel looks good,Steve...didnt know you could buy those new..Who makes them?

Yeah, you can get them from several places, I got mine from LMC truck, but Bebops has the best price and tons of other panels, fenders and such. Also lots of fiberglass too. Both places have good web sites, but they have more stuff like latch kits that I saw in the catalog they sent me, than on the Bebops web site. Nice Folks too! Mac also sells them and Sacramento Vintage Ford. And National Parts Depot if they have parts are useful.
Here are their web links, which actually helps me too to pick up a quick link, when the catalogs are missing!
http://www.lmctruck.com/
http://bebops-glassworks.com/site/
http://www.vintageford.com/sect_vehi...48-66%20Pickup
http://www.macsautoparts.com/
http://www.npdlink.com/

Originally Posted by Ken Thurm

There is something really cool about new sheet metal!!
Looks really nice.
Ken

Ken thanks, I wish I could afford a whole new bed! It's officially the nicest piece of metal on the truck! Who knows, maybe after a few bad patches I'll be more ready to buy one!

Originally Posted by stovens

Yeah, you can get them from several places, I got mine from LMC truck, but Bebops has the best price and tons of other panels, fenders and such. Also lots of fiberglass too. Both places have good web sites, but they have more stuff like latch kits that I saw in the catalog they sent me, than on the Bebops web site. Nice Folks too! Mac also sells them and Sacramento Vintage Ford. And National Parts Depot if they have parts are useful.
Here are their web links, which actually helps me too to pick up a quick link, when the catalogs are missing!
http://www.lmctruck.com/
http://bebops-glassworks.com/site/
http://www.vintageford.com/sect_vehi...48-66%20Pickup
http://www.macsautoparts.com/
http://www.npdlink.com/

hey,thanks for those links Steve,,its always good to know whats available,even if it is on the other side of the world.. Will write those into my reference book...Ta mate..

Worked on patching holes and adding a frame member to the bed today. What used to be the middle frame member for the bed was moved to the rear of the bed after the former owner made the custom roll pan. I cut it off and moved it back to where it belongs and got a new frame member for the rear.
The hole plugging went better than I anticipated, but I ran out of work time(company coming over, so they are just rough for now. Here are a few shots(oops left the mig pliers out!)

I also have to give Allan (Evolvo) a plug here for the copper pipe flattened into a backing plate. It worked great! Now if I just had a flat anvil! I have a anvil made from a railroad track piece that still is slightly curved on top, but it works for now.

Spent most of the afternoon sanding off rust and old paint from the passenger side of the bed. It is slow miserable, tedious work! I was wearing a n95 respirator but still seems to get that rust taste in my mouth.
I hit it with a coat of Mar Hyde rust inhibitor for now to keep more rust from forming. The be looked like it was just metal, but I did come across quite a few bondo filled spots while at it. Now I just have the far side to sand as well as the gate. I hope to get most of that done in the next week or so. I'm still contemplating sending it out for the final touches of body work plus painting. It just hurts thinking of the costs of labor to do all of that! Body work is slow and time consuming, I have a major new found respect for all of those of you who do this regularly or for a living!
I did invest in a stainless steel shrinking disc that hooks up to a 7" or 9" inch grinder. I watched a few youtube videos on straightening out panels that have oil caned, it seems straight forward and worth a try.

Still here just moving at a snail's pace, it seems the house and yard get more of my time these days! I've been working on trying to figure out how the original latches and chain were setup on my truck. I never have seen a stock 48 with the stock tail gate latches installed. So after 2 1/2 years I found this photo on the web which explains why the latch mechanism MAC truck parts sent didn't make sense! My bed had two seat belt clasps welded to the gate that literally buckled it closed. A bit crude and unsitely, I'm not sure if I'll go with after market latches Bebops sell (costly at 180..!) or the stock ones at 19 bucks a side. Here are photos of stock and one sort of similar to Bebops. Or I could just weld it shut, but that would make getting a the bed mounted gas filler more difficult!

Still either of these are much cleaner than what was on there!

This is what I used on my tailgate. Their link - http://www.pros-pick.com/hiddenlatchkits.html


IMG_3977.jpg

Originally Posted by stovens

Still here just moving at a snail's pace, it seems the house and yard get more of my time these days! I've been working on trying to figure out how the original latches and chain were setup on my truck. I never have seen a stock 48 with the stock tail gate latches installed. So after 2 1/2 years I found this photo on the web which explains why the latch mechanism MAC truck parts sent didn't make sense! My bed had two seat belt clasps welded to the gate that literally buckled it closed. A bit crude and unsitely, I'm not sure if I'll go with after market latches Bebops sell (costly at 180..!) or the stock ones at 19 bucks a side. Here are photos of stock and one sort of similar to Bebops. Or I could just weld it shut, but that would make getting a the bed mounted gas filler more difficult!

I like the second one it gives the gate a clean look. If you go with the chain it could scratch your paint over time. Just my thoughts.

Richard

Thanks guys I'm kinda swaying towards the expensive route too.

Mike B. - That is the same latch system Bebops sells for about the same price. I think you can get them with a cable setup instead of a chain or use the hinge bar setup like in the photo. Thanks for the photo, I was having a hard time finding a easy link photo! I like this type of latch better, as I think it helps pull the sides of the bed to the tail gate for a better fit(mine is a little bowed out).
I'm pretty sure I'll go with the same setup!

Richard - I know what you mean about a cleaner look! I also worry about the chains, and think I'll purchase the metal bar hinge setup or the coated stainless cables over using the chain if I can find the right ones for my application. The 48 and 49 Ford f1's were a special year setup for all kinds of stuff that changed in the early 50's. the beds are different as are the stake supports on the bed. The inside uses a completely different wood kit, etc.. Just makes it more unique and fun when trying to figure out where to go with it!

Stovens, my uncle has a original 48 ford f-1. If you need pics of something, let me know and I can snap a few for you.