Stovebolt.com Forums The Parking Lot Tons 'o Fun 1948 1 ton bed size?

Did the 1 ton trucks come with a 6 foot bed? Until I can figure out where all this info lives, (newbie here) I wanted to see what came with the truck. I would like to put a short bed on it.

No 6ft bed on the 1ton. If it came with a bed from the factory it would have been the 9 foot bed.

Wheelbase on the 1ton is 137 inches.different than the smaller 1/2 and 3/4 trucks.frame is different also

HERE [gm.com] is where to look. Has lots of dimensional information. 1/2 ton trucks had a 116 inch wheelbase vs 137 inches for the 1 ton, so if you wanted to put a 1/2 ton (short) bed on it, you'd need to move the rear axle forward to get it at the same place in the fender openings as the 1/2 ton.

Actually, I did some searching on here and the HAMB and I am starting to warm up to the long bed.

There is a rumor that a gmc 1 ton truck in the AD years of 47-53 could have maybe come from the factory with a shorter 8 ft bed of the 3/4 ton as a custom order
But I haven’t seen solid proof of it yet
-s

Bed board length discussion. [devestechnet.com]

Just to be clear, when we are talking about the Advance Design series, there is no such thing as a "Long" bed or a "short" bed. 3804's came with a 9-foot bed. It is neither "long" nor "short" it is simply the 1-ton bed, with 4 stake pockets on each side.

And yes, it is WAY cooler than the 6-foot beds. I have done extensive research on this. What's not to warm up to?? 1-ton owners/drivers are universally regarded as the he-man stud muffins of the Stovebolt Universe and are skilled and talented at just about everything, ruggedly handsome with old-school charm, good dancers and fabulous bass fishermen.

Children feel safe around us, women swoon at our approach and powerful men seek our advice.

But wait, you ask. Aren't *you* also a 1-ton owner??

Yes, this is true. I *do* own a '49 3804. But that fact is entirely irrelevant as my study was done scientifically with blind studies, random sampling all to the highest professional standards, I assure you. I even reviewed the data myself.

So be proud of your exalted status as a 1-ton owner. You are above most others (by a few inches -- you'll see when you park next to a 1/2-ton ).

All joking aside, an interesting comment was made a few weeks back and I can't remember who said or where ... It might have been Stovebolt HQ neighbor and past ATHS National President, John V at the Leonardtown Show ... ??))

But that the 9-ft bed was offered because most saw mills at the time only produced rough cut lumber to true dimensions. And 8 ft was a standard length. But it wasn't *exactly* 8 ft. It might vary a few inches (but never *less* than 8 ft). Thus, most of that standard 8-foot lumber would not fit in an 8-ft bed with the tailgate closed.

I have no idea as to the veracity of this. But it *is* an interesting thought.

That’s why most of my trucks are 1 tons

Exactly, 2MT. Exactly!!

Harrumph!!

Keep the 9' bed. Then put a bunch of weight in the back end of the bed. It'll make for prodigious wheelies.

This has been a most interesting and educational thread! Forced me to research the GM Heritage site and review the 1948 Truck Manual. Sure enough the inside measurement on the bed is 108 1/4 " or 9 foot and 1/4 inch! Looks like those folks at GM wanted to make sure a work truck could do its work.

TO John M. Hear! Hear! To the stud muffins.
Also talking about 9’ beds. Your example of 8’ lumber needing a 9’ bed seems right since if you sold logs to a mill, an additional 6” is required to get 8’ lumber. Logs are cut 8’6”, 10’6” 12’6” etc. if you brought in a 10’ log you would be credited for only a 8’ log. Besides chainsaw cuts aren’t always square to the log so this also requires the extra length. The extra 6 inches allows for checking (splitting) as it dries and by trimming the ends square about 3” on each end you generally end up with a good board.
Finally - I have a one ton but according to you I can dance! Didn’t know that.

Well John, my chest certainly puffed out a bit after reading that. Looks like I am on the hunt for a 9 foot bed then.

Gasser,

Are you game to build one. We've got a very interesting Tech Tip that may inspire you.

Irwin's fight song: "Where’s the fun in that?"

It's a 1959 1-ton and Irwin built a flatbed for it.

As well it should



9-ft beds are a little hard to find (without a truck under them). But not impossible ... The bed sides can be fabricated from 1/2 or 3/4 ton sides. Same with the running boards and splash aprons. Somewhat difficult, but not impossible.

However, for a nominal fee I can tell you where a couple of 1-tons (with very nice beds) hide (Billy Marlow's or Jim Schmidt's). On a moonless night, you could avail yourself of the five finger discount. Be sure to wrap your tools in rags so they don't clink and alert people to your presence. Bring a couple of steaks for Jim's rottweilers. Billy gets up pretty early so you'll have to work quickly to get 'er dun before Billy wakes up or the Rotts finish the steaks...

Thanks for the tips! I am not above to bribing dogs or working in the dark for something I want. Maybe I will just message them first. Right now, I am getting the OG drivetrain out to fund some hot rod drivetrain parts! As for making a bed, I am partial to the original style. I am thinking with some mods to a 6 foot bed, I could make a 9 foot.

I didn't really think that I was a stud muffin but if John says so then that's what I am!

I guess John should know.