Go Back   The Ford Barn > General Discussion > Early V8 (1932-53)

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 09-10-2012, 05:55 PM   #1
Cartravel
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Larry Young, Tulsa, OK
Posts: 202
Default New Pickup Beds

I am finally moving to the body work on my 40/41 pickup. After looking at the bed, I can't find a single straight panel, so I'm thinking of just buying a new one. I find them at Mack Products and Northern Classic trucks. Both offer them in parts or fully assembled. Mack's prices are significantly higher. Are their beds worth the higher price? How difficult are they to assemble? Do they require rivits or just nuts and bolts to assemble.

I'm also in need of a floor pan. Can anyone comment on the quality of the available floor pans. I have a spare cab with good floor pans, so could cut out and use that if the new pans are not very good.

If anyone wants the left over bed, let me know otherwise it goes to the metal recycler. The spare cab may be up for grabs too.
Thanks,
Larry Young
Tulsa, OK
Cartravel is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-10-2012, 06:06 PM   #2
Cecil/WV
Senior Member
 
Cecil/WV's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Gerrardstown, WV
Posts: 2,265
Default Re: New Pickup Beds

I used Northern Classic Trucks for all my panels and a bed for my '40 pickup. I don't know a thing about Mack products, but as far as I am concerned, they can't be any better than NCTrucks. I picked my bed up at his shop and saw his operation. Very particular!

Last edited by Cecil/WV; 09-10-2012 at 06:07 PM. Reason: add on
Cecil/WV is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 09-10-2012, 06:21 PM   #3
Ken Crans
Senior Member
 
Ken Crans's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Highland,MI
Posts: 1,196
Default Re: New Pickup Beds

I second that... Todd has the best fit panels out there. I watched him stamp out my tailgate. That was cool. The rivits can be a pain, but fully assembled is the way to go. Ken
Ken Crans is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-10-2012, 06:29 PM   #4
TomT/Williamsburg
Senior Member
 
TomT/Williamsburg's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Williamsburg, Virginia
Posts: 2,646
Default Re: New Pickup Beds

Bruce Horkey's Wooden Parts is another source although I wonder if he makes his own or gets them from Northern Classic .......
TomT/Williamsburg is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-10-2012, 06:55 PM   #5
Roger/Sacramento
Senior Member
 
Roger/Sacramento's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: PRINEVILLE, OR.
Posts: 490
Default Re: New Pickup Beds

On my '41 pickup I was going to save money and straighten out my beat up bed.......whoa, did I spend enough hours to build a house. And my body guy put some time in too. I finally told him to stop. Not happy how it turned out. Those flat panels are a real chore. Never again.
Be careful on replacing the cab floor. Mine had been repaired somewhat and when I went to mount it on the frame it was not at the right elevation and it caused me real problems with the front sheet metal alighnment and I had to trim the wood that goes between the cab and frame. That ran up the hours also. Because the cab, fenders and running boards all tie in together everything has to be right. Good luck
__________________
KIM KARDASHIAN ISN'T FLAT, BUT MY MOTOR IS.....

http://s818.photobucket.com/home/roglehr/index
Roger/Sacramento is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-10-2012, 08:34 PM   #6
Cecil/WV
Senior Member
 
Cecil/WV's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Gerrardstown, WV
Posts: 2,265
Default Re: New Pickup Beds

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
I braced my cab real good before I cut anything off and also made tons of measurements and took four time as long as I should have before welding anything, but when it was all over, I was able to fit everything together perfect and it turned out really well. I replaced everything from the firewall(used), toe boards, floor except the section under the seat, rockers, cab mounts cowl sides and all around the cab lower sections. I had never taken on a project of this magnitude before and it was a real treat to see it completed. All the panels do need to be trimmed and fit together to some degree, but that is the fun part. When it was all done and I was ready to install the transmission, also from NCT, it wouldn't go down right. After some inspection, I found the edge was turned down further than the gasket was thick and I ground the edge so the gasket would fit and it dropped right in place.
Cecil/WV is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-10-2012, 09:09 PM   #7
Lawson Cox
Senior Member
 
Lawson Cox's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Above the gnat line in Georgia
Posts: 7,009
Default Re: New Pickup Beds

I have a Mac Hils bed on my 35. Very pleased.
__________________
Life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer to the end, the faster it goes.

It is better to be seen, than viewed.

"We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm".
Lawson Cox is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-11-2012, 07:59 AM   #8
Krylon32
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 4,429
Default Re: New Pickup Beds

Assembled Mac Hils beds are the best. IMO
Krylon32 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-11-2012, 04:25 PM   #9
41LjH
Senior Member
 
41LjH's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: NW North Carolina
Posts: 461
Default Re: New Pickup Beds

I emailed Mac Hills about parts for my 41.Their response was they did not know if their parts would fit my bed because they were made for their beds. So I ordered from NCT. Just received a tailgate, rear panel and stake pocket. FANTASTIC. I believe they make parts for several suppliers. Fit and finish are superior and the price is reasonable. Barbara is very nice and knows what she is doing.
__________________
3 pedals, 3 gears, no valve-covers..
Now THAT is a hot rod !!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmwwB34vxJE
41LjH is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-11-2012, 04:53 PM   #10
kp4150
Member
 
kp4150's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: NE Oklahoma
Posts: 64
Default Re: New Pickup Beds

I've heard good things about NCT and I've assembled a Mack Hils bed. Mack Hils makes a fine product ... they sent rivets but as mine was not intended to be a stock restoration, I welded my components. My only (mild) complaint was there were virtually no instructions for assembly - only a very general illustration. The assembly is mostly straightforward and in the end, I was very happy with the result (see pic in my 40/41 PU Album)... but a bit more info. would have helped ease a few 'bumps' in the process.
kp4150 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-14-2012, 11:16 AM   #11
jsemple6392
Member
 
jsemple6392's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Paden City, WV
Posts: 88
Default Re: New Pickup Beds

Northern Classic is the best bang for the buck in my opinion. Good luck with your project!
__________________
Fat Fenders and Flatheads...doesn't get any better.
jsemple6392 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-14-2012, 11:56 AM   #12
Philip McCarty
Junior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Lynn, Ma
Posts: 18
Default Re: New Pickup Beds

I have an assembled bed from Mac Hils on my 31 wide bed. Perfect fit very happy.
Philip McCarty is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-14-2012, 12:09 PM   #13
Lawson Cox
Senior Member
 
Lawson Cox's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Above the gnat line in Georgia
Posts: 7,009
Default Re: New Pickup Beds

Quote:
Originally Posted by 41LjH View Post
I emailed Mac Hills about parts for my 41.Their response was they did not know if their parts would fit my bed because they were made for their beds. So I ordered from NCT. Just received a tailgate, rear panel and stake pocket. FANTASTIC. I believe they make parts for several suppliers. Fit and finish are superior and the price is reasonable. Barbara is very nice and knows what she is doing.
A friend of mine ordered SEVERAL parts from Mac Hills to repair his 36 pickup bed and they all fit like a glove. He is still #1 IMHO
__________________
Life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer to the end, the faster it goes.

It is better to be seen, than viewed.

"We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm".
Lawson Cox is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-15-2012, 06:56 AM   #14
James Phillips
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Hartman AR
Posts: 20
Default Re: New Pickup Beds

Larry, since you live in Tulsa, you might want to check out Mar-k pickup beds in Okla. City. They are close enough for you to drive and pick up and save a bunch on shipping cost.
James Phillips is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:26 AM.