Some success today

[Dajudge]

It finally cooled off a bit here in Texas so we got back on the 49.  Had some buddies over to weld some of the cracks in the bed and fender.  We got everything welded and pounded a few things out as well.

 

The big success was saving 8 out of 10 of the crazy bolts that hold the fenders on.  I guess I need to find two to replace the ones I had to cut off.

 

The big disappointment of the day was when my daughter looked at the new/old tailgate I got and said "Are you sure that is right?  It looks short."  And she was right, it is a tall tail gate but it is probably 6 inches short width wise.  It is off a 48.  Anybody know what tail gate I have?  Her truck is a 49 3/4 ton.

 

All in all a great day.  Feel like we got something done.  Now to take the bed a part.

[Young Ed]

Im not sure its that much difference but the 1/2 ton has a more narrow (narrower?) bed than the bigger pickups.

[Merle Coggins]

Yup... you got a 1/2 ton tailgate. The 1/2 ton trucks are 48" wide and the 3/4 and 1 ton beds are 54" wide.

[Jeff Balazs]

I just measured my 3/4 ton tailgate and it is 54 1/2" wide. When they called it the "Big Box" they were not joking around.

 

Jeff

[ggdad1951]

Now make it 9 foot long!

[JBNeal]

bed parts can still be found, there's Mar-K in OKC but be prepared for some sticker shock...them fender bolts are also known as elevator bolts but the originals had the Phillips head...McMaster-Carr and Grainger have non-original elevator bolts that can be had but probably would be cheaper to throw them in with an order with some other parts to save on shipping & whutnot.  I reckon one alternative is to get the non-original elevator bolts since they cost pennies, cut a slot in the head to use a large slotted screwdriver for assembly & paint over them later

[ggdad1951]

Don't forget Midwest military! I might have a coupke of the special bolts left over...let me get back from oktoberfest and ill see....

[48Dodger]

And remember Low Side 1/2 Tons are shorter in height and width: 47.5" x 15.5".

 

48D

[Young Ed]

And remember Low Side 1/2 Tons are shorter in height and width: 47.5" x 15.5".

 

48D

 

Really? I thought the low side was a carry over from the 39-47s and mine is supposed to be 48.5 wide.

[Dajudge]

Well that explains the tail gate.  I knew the 3/4 tons where longer, just not wider.  The search will continue I guess.  Thanks for the Mar-k link.  Maybe I will contact them about purchasing 2 bolts.

[48Dodger]

Really? I thought the low side was a carry over from the 39-47s and mine is supposed to be 48.5 wide.

 

I went out and measured mine in the dark Ed......If I'm off, it's only by a half inch I would think. Yours in a 47, my parts truck (from Kev) is a 1950.

I'll remeasure with some pics today. Not to hyjack the thread, but to keep the information as accurate as possible.

 

48D

[Young Ed]

I went out and measured mine in the dark Ed......If I'm off, it's only by a half inch I would think. Yours in a 47, my parts truck (from Kev) is a 1950.

I'll remeasure with some pics today. Not to hyjack the thread, but to keep the information as accurate as possible.

 

48D

 

Now that you mention that maybe I'm remembering wrong. I know the 39-47s came out with a wider bed to support 4x building material but maybe they made it an exact 4ft wide.

[48Dodger]

1st and 2nd images show where I'm measuring from, the top rail.  1950 1/2 ton high side truck

 

3rd image is the 1950 1/2 ton low side truck. 

 

 

48D

Edited October 2, 2013 by 48dodger