The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts Bed options

New guy first post. I'm restoring my dad's 1950 Chev. 1 1/2 ton and trying to decide whether to build a stake bed like it originally had or try something different. He had put a military bed on back in the seventies to haul soybeans. I really don't like the look of that bed on it, although I thought about trying to lower the bed some to see if it might look better, I know I would have to cut out and build some fender wells on the inside for the tire clearance.
One option I thought about was trying to find a more modern 1 ton dually bed to put on it. If any of you guys ever tried a dually bed on a big bolt and have a picture to post I would appreciate it.

Do you plan on hauling anything in it? Does it have a hoist on it?
If yes to either or both, I would probably go with a traditional flat bed. You could then either go with the stake sides or other side boards for hauling, or leave the sides off entirely. That would probably also look the best in the long run.

My truck in my signature line shows both the grain sides it had when I got it, and also with them removed. I now have one 12" side board on it.

No hoist and don't really plan on hauling anything heavy, I'll most likely go with a stake bed. I was just wondering what it might look like with a modern dually bed like a 1 ton has.

A modern pickup bed would look terribly out of place, in my opinion. It’d also be significantly wider than needed at the fenders.

I'd have to agree with Grigg on that one. The modern beds don't look right. (seen a couple of pics of regular size pickups done that way).

If you wanted a pickup bed, maybe find a period correct one and widen the fenders. I like the flatbed with removable sides, myself.

I agree with the fellas about modern boxes... yuck.

I don’t have a big bolt, mine is a 1 ton, but this is what I did with my duals.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/CmcwJq9eMsjBnoQQA

I have a build thread on this in the Tons of Fun forum but it is buried a few pages in by now. It might give you ideas what a stock box can look like. Also search up Plowboy. He has a big bolt that he built a bed for except he widened his tailgate, front panel and built tubs in the box. His is a sweet truck and he uses it to work.

Mine is a TF and not an AD, but it didn't have a bed on it when I got it. I found a 12' flat bed (with panels, that I don't use) for $250 and put it on, then painted it. It all depends on what you want to ultimately use your truck for.