The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Before I cut my 9 foot bed...

Before I cut my 1949 9 foot bed in great shape down to the length I need (little over 7 feet), should I save it for someone else? I know these aren't reproduced like the regular long and short bedsides are, so I wanted to check with the experts...so I don't regret it later. I'm not sure how common these are, or how much of a need there is for beds in great shape. Let me know what you guys think.

Don't cut it! There are at least two stovebolters looking for one. I know of a salvage yard in my area that has lots of good longbed sides that could be used instead. PM me

Jeese! These aren't that easy to find for the people that want them. There is gobs of regular beds out there. I'm in Sioux Falls, SD. I won't trade, but I have a bed I'll sell.

No!, please don't.

I've got a very nice bed I'll trade, but I'm afraid it's only a 1/2 ton, can measure if interested.

Grigg

see what you started already!

Wow, I do see what I've started!!! This is why I asked before I cut!

I suppose I shouldn't cut the running boards or side aprons either then huh guys?

I do need to read the forum rules before I do anything with this bed, but what I want to end up with is a bed that's around 7' 2" long or so. I think that means I need to get a long bed and trim it slightly...short bed is too short.

Thanks for the words of wisdom so far, and keep them coming.

Why a 7'2" bed??????

Hope I don't get flamed for this...

I'm building myself a truck for a daily driver and for hauling duties for my home projects. I'm tired of driving newer vehicles so I wanted something old with character. I'm using an extended cab s10 chassis and driveline, and the AD truck body.

No Flamers here Blue. others have done it too and it's your truck.
Heck check out what I did to mine, nobody badmouthed me in public over it.

Heck stretch the frame to fit the bed, I added something like 37inch to my S10 frame that I have under my 1ton bus...Joe

I could, but I don't need that much bed space...

My two options are really cut it down to the size I want, or sell it to someone that NEEDS it long, and source another one to fit my needs.

Or shorten the frame to fit a 1/2 ton bed... Then I'll trade you a 1/2 ton bed for a 9' one

Grigg

But I want to be different than all the short bed guys!

Chris

Then keep the 9' bed
They are much more useful, after having one don't think I could ever settle for the 1/2 ton, or even the 3/4 ton bed..

Grigg

You see 6'/8' bed all the time BUT how many times have you seen a 9' bed, personally a hand full, maybe...Joe

I think i would trade it for a 1/2 ton or 3/4 ton bed if you don't like the 9 foot bed .Trade the running boards and aprons for what you need.
just my thoughts !!

DONT CUT IT !!! Cletis... set him straight

As soon as I get my Kansas City pics resized I'll post a link to a picture of a beautiful AD 1-ton done by a high schooler who is a member of the KC club.

Hey cletis,is this the truck ?
1 Ton AD

That's the one.

I'm slow to this party, but I agree with those who say don't cut it. If it were a '54/'55 1st I'd be one of those willing to swap a 1/2-ton bed for it, or a 3/4-ton bed except I don't have one of those...

I'll grant not a lot of people want the 9-foot bed, but there are more of us than 9-foot beds available, so you won't have any trouble selling it or swapping it to get something closer to your needs.

Blue Jeep, Yes, Save the running boards and side aprons! The Running boards would need to be BOTH shortened AND the width reduced.LOTS of work and the boards are hard to find-- someone here will want them so put them in the Parts for Sale section.
Good luck with your truck-- Joe's suggestion sounds good-- stretch the frame and use the long bed!
Glenn

I hope there has been enough outcry for Blue Jeep not to cut 9' stuff that he will go out and find a short bed. It is such a shame to cut something that is so rare when what he is attempting to accomplished can be quite easily found.

OK guys, I'm not going to cut the bed. I wanted to do my research before I did anything...so I guess I know. I'll get some detailed pictures of the bed and post them up here and see who needs it. Thanks for all the opinions and points of view!

And a short bed won't work for me...so a long bed is what I'll need.

Medium? (not 6' or 9')
Glad to hear you'll leave the 9' stuff alone and find a good home for them.
That's to bad on the length though, I'd love to trade the good short bed I have in for a long one.

Grigg

Yeah, sorry. Should have been more specific....medium.

I was looking at my local sheetmetal guy to build me a bed. The price was much less than a new one from Mark K. My suggestion would be to sell the bed to Grigg and have the bed build that you need.

I ended up getting a medium (3/4 ton) bed and cutting 2.375" from the front of it. It worked really well and achieved what I wanted...a 7' 1" long bed.

Did the 9' bed find a new home?

He's got an ad in the swap meet section under parts for sale.