The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts Building fences for my flat bed

Hey all,
On my almost big bolt 3800(the dually with hydraulic dump bed)I need to rebuild my side fences-

The metal frames are nice- but the are beat up and have about 12000 rivets holding the old side wood on. Because I do not plan on hauling grain I thought about building replacements with wood uprights rater than metal-
anyone been down this road before?

The most this will haul of bulk will be firewood- and I plan to reinstall the chain that holds the two sides together in the middle of the bed.

Thanks,
Sam

Another big bolt saved by an old Blue Oval.

2-Ton

I am an equal opportunity offender- I like most old equipment- reminds us where we came from. As for the Particular blue oval of mine- It has saved many a piece of history.

Many of the old grain boxes were made with wood stakes. Then it was just tongue and groove boards bolted on with carriage bolts.

You may need to enlarge the bed pockets if a 2x4 will not fit. I used pressure treated 2x4's carriage bolted to two 2x10's on the side on my 12 foot dump bed and have not had any problems with loads. My sides are much shorter than yours and would need stronger uprights if higher. In the future I plan on having higher sides and I'll use steel uprights then.
James

Just FWIW the correct name of the parts is Stake Sides. Maybe I'm too close to the subject as I have never heard them called "fences" in my 43 years in the business. I got a laugh from that so Thanks. Needed a laugh today.

The factory built stakes were built with rivets and generally had oak posts and slats. Some used pine but the clear lumber became so expensive and difficult to get in the 80's that all of them went to steel stakesides only being offered. No one now offers wood sets that I'm aware of. Stakes were generally 1x 6 planks. Post size depended upon the manufacturer but common today is 1.5"x 3.5". I prefer tapered posts/pockets so they stay put.

Great looking truck. I had a 66' just like it in the 70's with 305 V6 and 4 & 2 speed.

Stake Sides I will remember that. The holes are probably 1.5 X 3.5 or 4(My house and the barn are not really close to each other.

I like the idea of the taper.

Thanks for the help.
Sam

Hello Sam,

I have only done the cab side so far. I will do the rest soon. Anyway,I'm following the plans that you can see here

http://www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/abeng/plans/6192.pdf

Its raining in Fairfax California

Should I buy that fire truck?

Chris

Not sure which fire truck you're talking about, but.........yes!