How to properly build a 1967-1972 Ford F-100 or F-250 styleside shortbed using all new sheetmetal.
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- čas přidán 10. 07. 2024
- With our longbed-to-shortbed conversion on our 1969 Ford F100 a wrap as far as the chassis goes, it’s time to turn our attention to the part that will really bring to life the transformation, the short bed truck sheet metal. In the past there was no easy way to convert the long bed truck sheet metal down to short bed specs. Slicing a full 16-inch section out of the front bedsides and floor, as well as an additional 4-inch section out back, makes for a ton of cutting and welding, not to mention the grinding and sanding involved to get the sheet metal smooth enough for body and paint. A challenge on the double-walled smooth bedsides to be sure, but grinding the two seams nice and smooth on the corrugated steel floor would be something akin to Chinese water torture. For most home builders this puts the conversion out of reach as far as skill set or budget resources allowed. But thanks to the recent introduction of reproduction steel bedsides from Golden Star Classic Auto Parts, converting that long bed Ford down to a short box Fleetside Ford is a simple matter of swapping a few sheet metal components.
Read More: 1967-1972 Ford F100 Short Bed Conversion Part 1
We’ll start the short bed conversion assembly by inspecting each panel. Laying out each piece in its respective location will also aid in assembly. The new Golden Star short box includes the tailgate (PN TG15-671), left and right bedsides (PNs PB15-67L, PB15-67R), left and right wheelhouse panels (PN WH15-67), complete bed floor assembly (PN PB15-676B), and front bed panel (PN PB15-67F). Not shown are the four intermediate floor panels that will be installed fore and aft of each wheelhouse.
Now, before we get too carried away with the simplicity of this portion of the project, it should be mentioned that unlike the GM trucks of the era, the Ford truck beds were assembled by spot welding multiple sheet metal components, as opposed to GM’s simpler, screwed-together assembly. Due to this fact, we opted to replace our entire bed assembly with new sheet metal, all thankfully available from Golden Star Auto. While this may seem like a large pill to swallow at its onset, after considering the probable shape of the few panels that can be reused in addition to the labor involved in drilling out the spot welds and removing said panels, one is likely money ahead by springing for the entire truck bed package.
Assembly begins by placing the complete truck bed floor assembly on our previously shortened frame, squaring it in relation to the chassis and fastening it in place.
In fact, considering the front bed panel and tailgate being the two panels that are the best candidates for reuse, these are also likely to be the most damaged two panels of the bed, making another argument for complete replacement. Of course, every build is different and swapping out your stock tailgate onto that new bed is completely possible, provided it’s in decent shape. But other than those two and the pair of wheelhouse panels, there aren’t any other panels that interchange when going from a long bed to short.
Next, the front bed panel is slid in place. Note the center of the bed floor and the center of the front panel have been located and labeled to aid in alignment.
The fact that the Ford truck beds were welded together makes assembly of the new sheetmetal a slightly more difficult task than the assembly of a GM truck bed. Where the GM components may have had a few holes on each panel to aid in lining up said panels during rough assembly, the Ford tin needs to be carefully assembled, first using a series of clamps, followed by a few carefully placed sheet metal screws or Clecos to hold things together as the assembly progresses. This process also requires the complete assembly of the bed panels before any welding can be performed, due to the necessity to check for final fit of said panels, bed square, and proper assembly process and panel overlap. We’ll be mimicking the factory spot weld process by punching holes in the overlying panels and then welding the two panels together. Similar in nature to the factory spot welds, this process is known as rosette or plug welding. To do this, we’ll need to know the precise location of where each panel overlaps so as to not only punch the hole in the proper location, but where to remove the e-coating (the rust-preventing factory coating Golden Star Auto applies to every panel) so a proper, clean weld can be achieved.
The bedsides are tackled next. The F100’s two stake pockets slide over the corresponding crossmembers in the bed floor while the top front stake pocket fits over the front panel. This slip fit provides a pretty good baseline for final assembly specs.
goldenstarauto.com/
Nice job guys and that’s a total game changer and less time with body work! Enjoyed this episode, thanks!
I have a 67 F600 with a near perfect cab. I would love to take the cab and build an F100 short bed. This video shows me how simple it may actually be to build.
Thanks for the help.
I like long beds....
There are a number of companies that sell them. Golden Star Classic Auto Parts, Auto Metal Direct, LMC Truck Classic Industries
The sheet metal used is much thinner than original and the price is just ridiculous in my opinion. Factory short box flair side and style side beds can be found in good shape if you are patient and know where to look. I bought a very straight 72 f100 short bed style side 4x4 for $3500 last year. I bought a clean 71 f100 style side short bed 4x4 in 2020 for $ 2000 , a incredibly clean bodied 68 short flair side f100 2 wheel drive for $500 that was a USDA vehicle also in 2020. It has a 240 inline 6 and np435 with a semi floating Dana 60 with a factory power lock limited slip differential. I have another 68 f100 long bed 2 wheel drive with 390 / C6 that is absolutely gorgeous. I paid $1500 for it in 2017 at a estate sale. Has 47xxx original miles on it. And I have a 69 f250 2 wheel drive 390 / C6 pickup I paid $600 for in 2016. I don't need so many bumpsides but when I go looking for parts and find complete pickups that are too good to pass up. The deals are still out there trust me. There not a chance I'd ever even think about paying such a price for one of those things bed kits if I needed a short bed for a project. Lots of old pick up bed utility trailers can be found for a couple hundred bucks lots of the time and many use short beds that can be restored or occasionally they might even be in good shape. I've bought a few just to resell the beds to someone else who has been looking. And I found them all here locally in Nor Cal. Furthest one from me was only 19 miles. Just have to pay attention and be patient
What’s the price for the panels?
Agree. (Fresno area) I'm looking at this vid because the short bed 72 pickup we bought today was $500 and the bed was rotten. If I could find the whole truck for $500 I'm certain a bed can be found.
Do they make these for 73-79
I wonder if I can get for my 78 f100
What size wheel and tire is on this truck?
What's the difference between this and original?
Do one for a 73 - 79 Ford now!
Just what I was thinking!!
How did you shorten frame rail's?
czcams.com/video/j7lwEYg9-h4/video.html this video shows what we did to shorten the frame
Doe the company have sides and ends for the pickup bed?
We got ours from LMC Truck www.lmctruck.com/1957-72-ford/bed-tailgate/fb-1957-72-flareside-steel-bed-panels
glad I have a from the factory shortbed. yeah, Im bragging heh
I can't find the parts u guys just used for a 67-72 bumpside on the golden star classic car web page whats up with that
I let the owner know the parts were not on the site. they will put them up ASAP you can call for information
Was that “Golden Star Auto parts?” People leave links in their description.
Golden Star Classic Auto Parts
@@classictruckperformance290 Thank you!
Bed tail lights set too low in tear quarters
What is the price? Thanks
goldenstarauto.com/products/1967-1972-ford-pickup-short-bed-kit-styleside?_pos=5&_sid=6685219fc&_ss=r
Take a look at this page I found, Classic Car and Truck Brake, Steering and Suspension Parts. You can see this page at: www.classicperform.com/Frame_Shortening_Kits/Frame_Shortening_Kits.htm
I have a 1969 f250 crew cab short box original owner here need bed parts! Do you sell individual pieces? Please contact me Thanks
Place has bad reviews it seems.
Not me. Long bed is king. I think a short bed is disproportioned. You have all that cab no bed. It looks weird, having the front half of the bed so much shorter then the back half. I feel there is a reason that 90% of them was long beds. Probably because it's a truck not a car.