Hello all! I was really staring at my beaten and otherwise abused 49 Merc P/U box this weekend and was weighing the pros and cons of restoring the box vs. building and aftermarket unit from one of the many manufacturers out there. I would have preferred to maintain the original, but the condition it's in has pretty much dictated the use of another one in my restoration/rodding of old Mercules. Has anyone used one of the "ready to assemble" box kits before, and if so, which manufacturer has provided you with the best quality kit. I understand you get what you pay for, but since I have yet to do up one of those box kits, i was hoping for some input on the subject. BTW: yes- my box is THAT rough...it looks like it was used to substitute the Challenger in the final scene of Vanishing Point! all that is salvageble (realistically) is the near-mint tailgate which must have been taken off when new and put in the barn. Thanks in advance...
Try www.mar-k.com out of Oklahoma. really nice stock or custom beds and good price too....they had a deal a while back- 10% off & free shipping, I bought a new bed for $1200, trucked to my house. And its "MADE IN USA"
I put hours and hours into my 48's bed, and that's all structural...no finish body work. Put on a new header panel and new tailgate and now the sides look like shit in comparison. If I had it to do over I would have just bought a new bed. If you have the means, go for it.
Meant to say, really happy with the tailgate I got from these guys, I think they're the supplier to a lot of the major distributors. $1750 for a whole bed http://www.northernclassictrucks.com/
I'm pretty sold with one I bought from Northern Classic Trucks in Sterling Heights MI. Out of the box pic: It went together pretty well: I'm sure they'd sell you one without the tailgate. Dan
You're probably going to have to buy new fenders too. All of the above mentioned beds have smooth bed sides which use fenders with a flat inside edge that bolts to the bed and your 49 bed sides should have a raised panel stamped into them and require fenders with a step in the edge to fit over it. Hot Rods Truck Parts out of New Carlisle OH used to sell an exact reproduction bed for the 48-mid year 50 F1s and M1s. I don't see it on his website anymore, so he may not offer it anymore. I was going to buy one for my truck but I guess I waited to long.
Thanks for the info, folks! I will be going with the new box--the posted pics of the results speak volumes...I WILL miss the sculpted stake pockets, but when I consider the work-most of it is structure- I would be a fool to go any other way. Thanks for the reminder about the fenders, Flamin'! Some jackass cut holes in them for taillights, so why do only 1/2 the job? Too bad the box wasn't as nice as the tailgate---it looks NOS!
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