different bed lengths?

[Guest dadsdream]

would a 116" wheelbase have the same bed length as a 126" wheelbase truck

im thinking not, but i don't know either

[Merle Coggins]

You're thinking right. The difference in wheel base comes behind the cab so the beds get longer too.

[jakenoklahoma]

Anybody know where I can find a decent 126" wheelbase bed?

[grey beard]

The long beds came only on one ton models until 1953, when they also put them on half tons and called them "express" models,

Good Luck Hunting.

[Merle Coggins]

Is that right? The way I read it, all 1/2 ton trucks were "Pickups". The 3/4 and 1 ton trucks were either "Stake Bed" trucks or "Express" trucks if they had a pickup box. 1/2 ton trucks had 108" wheel base until 1953 when a 116" version was also offered. 3/4 ton trucks were 116" wheel base and 1 ton trucks were either 116" or 126" wheel base. 108" wheel base trucks use a 49" X 78" bed. 116" wheel base trucks use the 54" X 90" bed. And 126" wheel base trucks use the 54" X 108" bed.

Merle

[Tony_Urwin]

I get confused about this too. In the "Dodge B-Series Trucks" book by Don Bunn, it shows a B-108 1/2 ton express and an D-116 express. Also a D-126 express. These are all posted on the display signs for factory photographs.

[Merle Coggins]

Here's a quote from the first page (4th paragraph) of Chapter 1 in Mr. Bunn's "Dodge B-Series Trucks" book.

"Throughout this work I have diligently used original terminology and spellings. It is interesting to note that writers back then were not always consistent. A good case in point is the work pickup. Mostly they spelled it pick-up but sometimes they would drop the hyphen. Pick-up was used only for a 1/2 ton. The 3/4 and one-ton models were called an "express". These terms were used throughout the industry. In all cases where the literature used the two different spellings I have used the most common usage."

I guess that's where I remembered my information from.

Merle

[Dennis_MN]

One of the sources for pickup beds is the old utility trailer. Many were made from the back ends of pick-ups some from long boxes and many more from short boxes. You'd be surprised when you start looking for trailers. I spent a year hunting for Model A rims by looking for a trailer with them on, then I would talk to the owner and propose a trade.

On the other hand, consider adding a stake bed, they look pretty nice tool

[Guest dadsdream]

another question. did only high side beds have the idented areas for strength?

[Reg Evans]

another question. did only high side beds have the idented areas for strength?

Yuppers.

[jakenoklahoma]

One of the sources for pickup beds is the old utility trailer. Many were made from the back ends of pick-ups some from long boxes and many more from short boxes. You'd be surprised when you start looking for trailers. I spent a year hunting for Model A rims by looking for a trailer with them on, then I would talk to the owner and propose a trade.

On the other hand, consider adding a stake bed, they look pretty nice tool

I have a stake bed, in decent shape; was just trying to see if I could round up enough parts to do a concept I had, a 126" express truck with a 4x4 conversion using Power Wagon components.

[Reg Evans]

Here ya go. Get this one.

http://www430.pair.com/p15d24/mopar_forum/showthread.php?t=23360