Originally posted by 46 Dually:
In reading through these responses, it looks like there's some confusion about what you mean by "long bed." To be technically correct, there were actually three pickup beds offered -- 77" (half ton), 87" (3/4 ton), and 108" (1-1/2 ton). The 108" beds are pretty rare and few people know they even existed, so they refer to the 87" as a long bed.
I'm almost certain that the 77" and 87" inch beds were unchanged from 40-46. I know the beds were narrower in 39, but I'm not sure about pre-39. In all cases, though, the tailgates, front panels, support rails, etc. were common between 1/2 and 3/4 ton models--the only difference being the length of the bedsides, wood, etc.
Bob
We appreciate all the input. Yes there is confusion and maybe I should have cleared it up sooner. We do not have plans to make the 1-1/2 ton "heavy duty" version at this time, but all the information shared is very valuable and helpful to others who are restoring that truck bed.
We are interested in information about the 3/4 ton at this time, as we are tooling for the 40 bedsides now for the first time. While the 40 - 46 beds are the same dimensions, there are several subtle differences that distinguish the 40 from the 41 and we want to get it right.
Some examples,
It looks like the rear wood block is not attached to the 40 1/2 ton bedside but in 41-46 it was bolted to the bedside. In 41-46, the 3/4 ton rear wood block was bolted to the rear sill but the 40 1/2 ton rear sill we have does not have the bolt holes for the wood block. If 3/4 ton rear wood block is bolted to the rear sill, it means the rear sill was different for 1/2 and 3/4 ton trucks.
The brace under the rear sill is different for 40 than 46.
Of course the tailgate and chains and hinges are different for 40 than 41-46 and we will provide the correct chain/hook latch system for the 40. I do not have a correct 40 chain hook, is it twisted like the 41-53 or just straight? Is the 40 hinge like the 41-46 or unique to the 40?
The number 2 cross sill (from the front) on a 41-6 has extra bracing to the bed sides. Is that bracing also on 40 3/4 ton?
These are the kind of questions we struggle with when developing new tooling. People restoring these trucks are wanting their parts to be like original or at least to be made aware of differences before purchasing them.
Again, we appreciate all the input. Sorry for the long post, but hopefully, I have answered a few questions and cleared up what our needs are.
Mar-Ktech
