The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk side boards?

I'm thinking of making up a set of side boards for my 55 TF to make better use of it. I'm thinking I want them about cab-high, with one for the back of the cab certainly and possibly one for the rear as well. I'd like to make them in such a way so as to be removeable in seperate sections per side and stored away easily as well. Another concern is visibility. I'd rather not block my vision any more than necessary. I do have a big back window, which helps. I have a basic design in mind, but would love to have others' inputs from experience and or picures.

Thanks,

Devin

[IMG]http://thumb11.webshots.net/t/57/657/9/98/33/2153998330096215731JfxzSq_th.jpg[/IMG]
Snoop around in there a bit.

Here in Texas sideboards were very common way to haul cattle to the market. There were even factory made ones around. Crude ones were oak stakes and sides bolted to them with carriage bolts. Arc welding was just coming of age and many were built with pipe and later on the headache racks even had expanded metal to protect the back glass and give visibility. Inside mirrors were an option in those days. Learning to use outside mirrors was part of learning to drive a truck, and they were made to haul stuff. The construction depends a lot on what you intend to haul.

Looks like Canada has real 2X4s

Well, thyey're spruce/pine. I'd have used douglas fir if I had any, but this is my first effort, based on what I remember of Saskatchewan farm trucks.

Thanks for the pics. The area around the backwindow looks good. Looks like you're actually using yours as a truck! Kudos to ya!

Devin

Devin, The old stock racks were made to come apart at the corners, with gate hinges. You put the front on first, then each side -- dropping pins or bolts thru the hinges. The back gate could be opened to either side by taking out one set of pins or taken off completely. I haven't explained it very well by ask an old farmer--- Hotshoe's are close, if they were not bolted together at the frontbut had a hinge at the top & bottom on each side you would be close. The old racks were the same height all around, including the rear gate but I really like back treatment in the pictures. If you weren't carrying livestock, they would be terrific.
Good luck,
Glenn

"By ask an old farmer" should read BUT ask an old farmer--- sorry.

Check this out. I'm in the process of making these now..

http://www.speedprint.com/deves50/stakerail.php

Thruwurkin

I knocked together a set out of clear fir 2x4's I salvaged a few years ago, but I left them to weather and scavenged them for another project since I wasn't using them. 2x2's fit the stake pockets of the AD series pretty well, I suspect they also fit TF trucks. I just put 2x2 stakes in all 4 pockets, used two 2x4's on each side at an eyeballed height, and attached them to the stakes with deck screws. No measurement involved. I just trimmed the top off the stakes.

If you want to keep the stakes lasting longer, cut the tops so they are shaped like pyramids, then the rain doesn't soak down through the end grain.

If you want something that lasts long, use cedar or redwood lumber.

Don't know about yellow cedar, but red cedar, which is beautiful wood, is too soft for hard use. Yep, 55, this truck works. [IMG]http://inlinethumb08.webshots.com/41671/2124744120096215731S200x200Q85.jpg[/IMG]

Glenn, I made these with the idea of loading green firewood and mounding it beyond the top rail. If I do that front to back with the rails as they are, I will have ideal weight distribution in my 9' box. My tailgate extension (not shown) slides in from the top. I bolted the front intentionally because, although it is a pain to demount, the boards take a greater lateral stress than if I had pinned it (unless, of course, I had made big enough pin plates).

By the way, if you're like me, Glenn, you'll be making frequent typographical errors. Discover the "edit" button at the bottom of your post, and that will save you from having to post corrections separately. How do I know this? Trial and error. If I was a paid typist, I'd be starving.

Check out my 53, has factory stake sides (have back pair also,just not in the picture). These lock together and still being made new by local truck body stores.

JiMerit, I sent you a PM.

Thruwurkin

Hmmmm....More food for thought. I am wondering about the latches on Deve's site. I would assume that the front and rear would have to hang from the sides, but couldn't tell from the pictures. That was more the style I had in mind, and I can picture in my head a set of split boards for the rear that would open in the center for access. This is getting more complicated with all the options coming up.

Thanks,

Devin

I have some on my TF as well...

Cliff59

Hotshoe 36, I really like your set-up--I see that the way you work that truck makes the extra strength is very important for you. We used racks for the rare times we needed to haul a cow or two--so getting them on & off easily was more critical for us-I was only 9 or so but could do it by myself.I don't know if the hinges were fairly standard or something my Dad "invented". He made several things so that I could do work alone--
Thanks for the tip about the EDIT feature but I cannot find it-- these old eyes aren't as sharp as they used to be!

Glenn