Ford f350/450 bed

[sandman2234]

Since F450 trucks in 1999 didn't have a p/u bed option, and assuming F350 cabs have the same lines, I am considering changing out a bed on an F450 to a pickup bed. Having never considered doing this to a Ford before, any help would be appreciated. The first thing I am going to need will be a listing of what year beds will match the lines on the cab. Does anyone know this or know where too find it?
Just so everyone will understand, this truck will be to haul my tractor.
thanks, David from Jax

 

[Rustyiron]

What will give you trouble is the "CA" or cab to axle legnth. Most PU's (with a 8' bed) are 56" and a short wheelbase chassis cab is 60" leaving a funny looking gap between the bed and cab. The body lines are the same (within each design era) between the cab and bed, so if you found a decent 91' bed the bedy lines will be OK, not sure what you might find for bed mounts on your 450.

 

[sandman2234]

Thanks Rustyiron for the quick reply and thoughts. In this case the cab to axle length is a little more distance and will have to be dealt will. For now, I need to know the years that comprise this era truck.No sense in doing anything till I find a bed, or two.
David from jax

 

[JESSE1]

Should be able to use a dually bed from '99 through '10. There were styling changes in the cab but the bed's the same.

 

[sandman2234]

The F450 is a 1999. I fixed the typo.
David from jax

 

[56FordGuy]

I believe beds from 99-03 will match the cab. That said, not only is the cab to axle length different, but I believe the frame width is different as well. I know the frame height is. On a pickup, the frame curves upwards behind the cab. On a cab and chassis frame, it is straight.

Not saying it's an impossible job, but it is a lot of work. Before the '08 F-450 pickup came out, there was a company that specialized in putting pickup beds on 450 and 550 trucks. Not sure if they're still around or not.

 

[herringchoker]

The late Mr.Jimi did this on a 2002 F550. See this thread:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/112552-putting-pick-up-bed-my.html

 

[Diamondpilot]

Its tougher than it looks. You must do a 2" lift on the cab and they do not make it for 450/550 trucks. This means you must buy a F-350 lift kit then have some stuff custom made like hoses, ect. You are also going to have to deal with not only the cab to axle length but also the frame width issues.

I know a guy here who did it to a 7.3L F550. Not sure the year but its around the same. The easiest way to do it is with a SRW bed then add OEM replacement dually fender flairs.

Chris

 

[sandman2234]

The late Mr.Jimi did this on a 2002 F550. See this thread:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/112552-putting-pick-up-bed-my.html

I was aware of Mr. Jimi (RIP) doing that.(His garage was only a few miles from here) I wouldn't have done it quite the way he ended up doing it, but whatever works. Mr. Jimi was really wanting a p/u for looks and a truck to haul his bumper hitch trailer. If I should go ahead with this, the bed will be used quite regularly and will require a little more work than just cosmetics.
Thanks, David from jax

 

[sandman2234]

Its tougher than it looks. You must do a 2" lift on the cab and they do not make it for 450/550 trucks. This means you must buy a F-350 lift kit then have some stuff custom made like hoses, ect. You are also going to have to deal with not only the cab to axle length but also the frame width issues.

I know a guy here who did it to a 7.3L F550. Not sure the year but its around the same. The easiest way to do it is with a SRW bed then add OEM replacement dually fender flairs.

Chris

When you say a guy here who did it to a F550, were you referring to Mr. Jimi, or to someone who lives near you? "A guy here" could mean on this board or lives near you. In my case, until he passed, Mr.Jimi fit into both of those catagories with me.

Now you have my curiosity up! I know about the narrower straight frame rails and the fact that they don't line up the body curves if you just sit a bed on the frame rails. However, due to the problems Mr. Jimi had with his purchase (due to cheap price) and having to modify the dually fenders because they didn't match the SRW bed, your statement about it being easier confuses me. Is there something about a dually bed that is a problem that a SRW doesn't have?
David from jax