1961 bed options & are solid side windows possible?

ICEMAN6166 · Post by **ICEMAN6166** » June 17, 2011, 11:12 am

Leeroy wrote:
Keep in mind that the wheel base of the 63 is different than the 64-66

Isn't tht only on a long bed?

I fitted a 64/66 shortbed on my 62. No problems.

yes only the long wheelbases are different.

Hookedtrout · Post by **Hookedtrout** » June 17, 2011, 1:48 pm

Here's a short bed on ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1964-196 ... 588e0c8d12

randyr · Post by **randyr** » June 17, 2011, 4:01 pm

Hey Tim,

If you feel like building your own bed I think it would be cool to find some uni quarter panels like someone else mentioned and graft them onto your wrong bed innards or something like that. Apparently, Ford made a flareside bed for some South American countries that had uni-style sides. Here's a pic of one from Argentina. It looks to be a '66 from the grill. Anyway, it would be a cool idea to make a "right" bed out of a "wrong" one....

Here's a pic:

Also, Bob's F100's makes a Vent Window Delete kit for $395. It requires using electric windows which aren't included in the kit. You can check out their website for more info.
Hope this helps.
Randy

factorystock · Post by **factorystock** » June 24, 2011, 11:01 pm

Gritsngumbo wrote:It was my understanding that the correct "wrong" bed on the 61-63 trucks wasn't used until mid-1962.

I agree with F100 and F 250's not getting this bed officially until '62 also, however F 350's got the old seperate styleside bed from the get go in 1961. The only pickup beds cataloged for '61 4X2 F100 and F250's was the unibody and the flareside. The only pickup beds cataloged for the '61 4X4 F100 and F 250 was the flareside. Without any more facts or documentation, either the bed was switched or it is a '62.

Hawkrod · Post by **Hawkrod** » June 27, 2011, 10:03 pm

factorystock wrote:
Gritsngumbo wrote:It was my understanding that the correct "wrong" bed on the 61-63 trucks wasn't used until mid-1962.
I agree with F100 and F 250's not getting this bed officially until '62 also, however F 350's got the old seperate styleside bed from the get go in 1961. The only pickup beds cataloged for '61 4X2 F100 and F250's was the unibody and the flareside. The only pickup beds cataloged for the '61 4X4 F100 and F 250 was the flareside. Without any more facts or documentation, either the bed was switched or it is a '62.

I am confused by this issue. I know the Ford parts books list the styleside bed in the August 1960 issue and there are several structural parts that make slick wrongsides different than fridge beds and they carry C1T part numbers (for example, the front bed support crossmember is a C1TZ-10610-A) so why would it be listed if it was not available? I also note that the fleet salesmans books list the styleside bed as an option for the type 81, 83 and 99 trucks so is there something that indicates that it wasn't actually available? Hawkrod

HEITZ · Post by **HEITZ** » July 13, 2011, 3:24 pm

Welcome from Mississippi.

I like your build sheet and you've obviously spent a bit of time researching it. The folks on this site can provide an incredible amount of wisdom and that will save many countless hours of frustration in the garage.

I'm with you on changing out the "wrong" bed. Whether or not orginal, it doesn't look right on the truck. Look around, you'll find a donor for your build.

A friend in Michigan fitted a 1997 flare side bed on a 66 short bed. Though he did glass it into the cab to make a unibody roadster. I've not seen the completed truck. But a few years ago it looked good and not out of place.

Heitz

kstones63 · Post by **kstones63** » July 13, 2011, 6:59 pm

from Phoenix
I changed the bed on my 63 short bed to a bed from a 64 short bed. It took me almost 4 years to find a good one that didn't need any rust repair. It bolted on without any modifications.
It sounds like you have a good game plan for your truck. Post a lot of pics.

Kevin

Timdogg4 · Post by **Timdogg4** » July 13, 2011, 11:44 pm

I ended up finding a short bed for only $800. Thank you everyone for the kind words and info. I've ended up on the fence about trying to do solid side windows or not. The more I look into it, the easier it seems to do and the only real concern I have is the anti-rattlers in the doors. That bend looks like it's going to make it difficult. Does anyone out there know of any do-it-yourself kits for anti-rattlers? All of the pre-bent ones I find only go up to the division bar for the vent window.

Timdogg4 · Post by **Timdogg4** » July 13, 2011, 11:47 pm

As for pictures. Don't worry everybody. Once I start tearing down the pictures will start coming. I think I convinced the girlfriend to just stand around and snap pictures for me so I don't have to interupt my work to do it. All I had to do was build her a house. If doing that keeps her from getting on my case all the time about this truck, I consider that a GOOD TRADE!!!