Ford F-1 Bed Repair - Bedlam - Tech

In the truck world, it's possible that the bed is the most important part of a pickup. Yet oftentimes this area gets overlooked when it comes time for the final fit and finish of a project. Part of that might be due to the fact that this is the area that also receives the most abuse and neglect over the years as it served as workhorse first and foremost and fashion statement a distant second.

But like everything else in the truck world these days, there are a handful of parts suppliers with the necessary replacement parts at the ready to fix every square inch of that hacked-up bed, or to simply replace it completely.

We recently visited Charles Franklin at Vintage V8 Hot Rod and Restoration in Orange, California, as he put the finishing touches on an early F-1 bed. The stake pockets and header panel had seen better days but the bedsides and tailgate were in pretty good shape so Charles opted to repair the offending area and keep as much of the original Ford sheetmetal as possible intact. It's a pretty easy process for the homebuilder with a drill, welder, and a bit of patience, and adds to the pride one feels repairing a 60-plus-year-old truck. And that's why we do what we do isn't it?!