Looks like my new project will be a 52 F-1 and I will have to replace the wood in the bed. I've never purchased bed wood in the past, so I'm looking for recommendations for vendors, with fit being a primary concern. Any other recommendations regarding installation would also be appreciated. BOutlaw
Did my truck, used Bruce Horkey Wood & Parts, they tell you how to finish the wood also. I had good luck with them, nice product.
We use Bed Wood in the shop. We are about to become a vendor for them. I've been very pleased with their product
the cheapest is a company i think in OK, mar-k, i have used them 3 times and very happy. i think it is www.mar-k.com
Thanks guys. None of the mentioned companies were familiar to me. I'll check'em out. Anyone else got any recommendations? BOutlaw
You could just buy the wood at a lumber yard like Lowes or Home Depot and do the fitting yourself. There are diagrams out there on the specifics on how to cut the boards. A friend did that for his 52 F-1 and I'm doing for the bed on my '53 F-100. I think I bought 8 1x8 oak boards 8 feet long. I still have to trim them to fit yet. I don't have a link to the dimensions but think a google search will find it easily. Maybe on the Ford truck site...
Bruce Horkey is the best. He was extremely helpful when I did mine and when I saw him the following year he remembered me and came by to check out my truck. Super nice guy and I will use him again. I bought the wood, and all the stainless hardware from him.
All of the vendors mentioned in the above posts are good. I have dealt with all of them. Horkey is probably the best guy to call and get information over the phone. If you have any woodworking skills/tools, you could save a few buck by buying your own wood. Home Depot/Lowes will sell red oak. Hardwood lumber companies that cater to cabinet makers will have more exotic species. Most of them will also mill your wood to your final dimensions when you order from them.
I used mar-k as well for the bed strips/bolts/cross sills etc. Did have my old man make the boards for me he order from a local lumber yard.
As usual, a wealth of information from the HAMB. I don't think my wood working skills and lack of wood working tools will permit me to make my own, but sounds like there are plenty of great vendors out there to try, none of whom I was familiar with. At least I have some places to start looking. I appreciate the info guys. BOutlaw
All the wood kits I see are only for oak and pine. I am going to go with IPE in my '53 3100. It cost about 3x more than premium oak, but it is an exotic wood.
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