So I'm starting on refurbishing the bed on my 53. The old bedsides came from another truck, and had weird latches welded to the sides. I cut them off, but I don't really remember what the real latches are supposed to look like, or how they work. These old bedsides had an eye bolt with a chain and hook, but how do they close the tailgate? Does the tailgate have any sort of loop they hook into? And is there something welded to the bedside that hooks everything together?
If anyone can take pictures of their latch set up, I can figure out what I need to do to mine, I hope.
I'm attaching photos of the mechanism that was on the bed sides.
Tim
I am currently digging back in to a 1953 3800 (one ton) with a nine foot bed. I've owned it since 1979, and drove it until 1982 (or so). My wife got me involved in restoring it back in 2002, got the body removed and the frame redone, then things came up. Now I am retired and starting again. If anyone is interested I have photos on Imagur ( https://timwhiteblues.imgur.com/ ). I live way back in the woods in the Ozarks on 40 acres at the end of a 2 1/2 mile private road.
1970 Chevrolet C10 Grandpa's -- My first truck -- In progress to shiny Follow the build in the Project Journal 1950 Chevrolet 1-Ton Dually "Ole Red Girl" In the Stovebolt Gallery More pictures here 1951 GMC 9430 1 ton dually--Shiny! | 1972 Chevrolet C20- Rusty- the puzzle box lid for the C10 | 1962 AMC Rambler American- my wife's Parts trucks- 1951 GMC 9300 | 1951-GMC 9430 | 1951- Chevrolet 1300
Now all I need to do is weld up the holes in the old stake pockets, sand, prime, paint, assemble....
Sometimes I think I'll never get finished with this project!
Tim
I am currently digging back in to a 1953 3800 (one ton) with a nine foot bed. I've owned it since 1979, and drove it until 1982 (or so). My wife got me involved in restoring it back in 2002, got the body removed and the frame redone, then things came up. Now I am retired and starting again. If anyone is interested I have photos on Imagur ( https://timwhiteblues.imgur.com/ ). I live way back in the woods in the Ozarks on 40 acres at the end of a 2 1/2 mile private road.
Bluesman, and Fox, i could be totally wrong and full of poo.. but i have done some preliminary research on the chains a year or so ago when i needed some for my truck.
i think the photos of Fox's truck are using the hook chains for slightly newer trucks, the early 50s chains and hooks are a bit different, there are fewer links, and the hook shape is not so fancy this suspicion of mine is based only what i found at wrecking yards and correlating many online photos of the part to find it's true factory bent shape (because they all are now bent slightly different after 70 yrs of use and abuse)
i'm also trying to find information on how the designers intended it to hook. i found that the chain hangs nicer if you come in from the inside and poke towards the outside of the box,
any source information on the chains is welcome, i'll also post again if i find new info thanks -s
I also neglected to mention that my chains are aftermarket reproductions. However my original 1/2 ton chains were very similar to these but, now that 2Many mentions it, they may have been like his first photo. I didn’t take any pictures of that original setup though. Oops. I like what I have now. They work well, look good and are original enough for me!
1970 Chevrolet C10 Grandpa's -- My first truck -- In progress to shiny Follow the build in the Project Journal 1950 Chevrolet 1-Ton Dually "Ole Red Girl" In the Stovebolt Gallery More pictures here 1951 GMC 9430 1 ton dually--Shiny! | 1972 Chevrolet C20- Rusty- the puzzle box lid for the C10 | 1962 AMC Rambler American- my wife's Parts trucks- 1951 GMC 9300 | 1951-GMC 9430 | 1951- Chevrolet 1300
1970 Chevrolet C10 Grandpa's -- My first truck -- In progress to shiny Follow the build in the Project Journal 1950 Chevrolet 1-Ton Dually "Ole Red Girl" In the Stovebolt Gallery More pictures here 1951 GMC 9430 1 ton dually--Shiny! | 1972 Chevrolet C20- Rusty- the puzzle box lid for the C10 | 1962 AMC Rambler American- my wife's Parts trucks- 1951 GMC 9300 | 1951-GMC 9430 | 1951- Chevrolet 1300
