I just bought a couple '48 F1's. They both have a metal floor in the bed and are exactly the same. They're embossed to look like wood with bed strips and have carriage bolts. It doesn't look like an amateur installation and is welded? around the edges. Did F1's ever come from the factory with a metal floor or dealer installed? Or was it a JC Whitney / Pep Boys thing.
It was a factory option from what I have been told. They would put it right over the wood...Good looking trucks. What are your plans with them?
I have seen them, I always thought they only came in the 8 ft bed on the 3/4 Ton chassis. Yours look like the standard 6.5 ft. beds, so maybe my sources are incorrect.
Yup, it's over the wood. Not sure what I'm doing with them yet. My inital plan was to make the one with chrome wheels run and maybe drive it like it is. It has a Ford OHV 6, last driven in 1982. For sure needs brakes. The other one was intended to be parted out. Donate the running boards, seat and a few other parts for the nicer F1. Also it was going to supply some parts for my Model A (brakes, pedals, steering column, steering wheel and rims) Now after thinking about it, it's a shame to cut it up as it's matching #'s original but does only have the lowly flathead 6. Both of mine are 1/2 ton short beds.
All F1 48 thru early-50 beds I've seen were metal, all late-50 thru 52 beds were wood, the tailgate style changed at the same time
I like the front stake sides on the 48's too.. I would rather have the metal floor in my bed on my 52 but either way with my c notch I would need to cut it out anyways..
My father's 50' F-1 has a metal bed floor. He wants to purchase a new one. Still available repros although very expensive to ship.
Metal is stock, would did not come till later. It's a pain in the butt to get out the old rotted wood. Good luck.
The Jalopy Journal
