Hello. New member with 1985 F150 Flareside

[Rembrant]

snakebite8 wrote

THANK U EVERYONE!   U GUYS R THE BEST!!

This forum is where you need to be if you have a Bullnose.

[Gary Lewis]

Jonathan - No, the dimensions aren't captured elsewhere.  But someone just said the Resources folder isn't being used.  

So I was wondering about placing the info in a new tab called Flareside Bed Dimensions on the Documentation/Exterior/Bed, Tailgates, & Components page.

We could put the info and pics Cory provided on there, although I think it would be nice to know the dimensions of each of those pieces as well as the overall dimensions he provided.

And, if we could get someone to measure the pre 7/82 boards we could include that as well.

Thoughts?

[Rembrant]

I can provide some more measurements, no problem at all Gary. The only delay on my part is that my truck is currently in pieces in about three different locations...lol.

An interesting thing to note is that 4 of the metal strips are in the same locations on both Flareside bed wood floor styles.

See below the original wood version/style with 7 boards and 6 metal strips:



And then the 7/82 and later version with the plywood and 6 (simulated) boards and 5 metal strips:



The interesting part...maybe only if you're a Flareside nerd...lol, is that the outer two metal strips are in the exact same locations on both bed floor styles. The old style has two metal strips down the middle, and the later style has only one metal strip down the center. The other 4 strips are in the same bolt holes in the crossmembers and sills.

Nobody sells a kit that replicates the late '82-1987 plywood floor. All of the aftermarket wood floor kits are  of the 7 board/6 strip variety, which goes back well before the Bullnose era. If you go with the later style like Reamer and I have, you're pretty much on your own.

Lots of guys buy the pre-made kits, but lots of guys cut their own boards too.

[Ford F834]

I like the idea of a tab with the info in documentation, but I don’t have the measurements and I wouldn’t be the one making the tab, so linking this thread in the resources would be a good start? If I get a chance I will dig around online and see if I can find any of the pre-82 dimensions. Also the size of the blocks that sit in between the cross members and the frame would be good to have. Seems like I’ve seen it before, but I can’t point my browser right to it...

[Rembrant]

Gary Lewis wrote

We could put the info and pics Cory provided on there, although I think it would be nice to know the dimensions of each of those pieces as well as the overall dimensions he provided.

The info below is not my own but copied previously and filed. I believe I cut my outer panels a hair wider at 15 1/4" or 15 3/8". I wanted a smaller gap between them...personal choice, nothing more.

"The middle piece is 22 1/2 inches wide by 78 1/2 inches long. The two outer pieces are 15 3/16 at their widest point. I then suggest you set the side panels and draw your lines to cut the wheel wells out with the jig saw or tool of your choice."

Gary Lewis wrote

And, if we could get someone to measure the pre 7/82 boards we could include that as well.

I had saved the pic below from SCFlareside a year or two ago when he cut his own boards. They would be 78 1/2" long for sure, but the individual widths I cannot say.



There was a member on here not too long ago that did the earlier wood style and cut their own boards...what was his name now?>..I saved pics, but can't remember the name...

[FuzzFace2]

With all this wood you guys are giving me a complex
I am the odd ball with a metal floor, covered in bed liner, flare side truck


It's what you do when you don't have the money ($1000+) for ALL the cross members and sills then add the wood, metal strips & hardware and you have a good style side metal floor with bad sides.

Like most of us flare side owners I had to repair the lip on the bed sides that bolt to the floor and the front panel to be fixed. For me that was the easy part.

We are here to help as you see, we just ask for pictures in return LOL
Dave ----

[Rembrant]

FuzzFace2 wrote

We are here to help as you see, we just ask for pictures in return LOL
Dave ----

Ain't that the truth!

[Gary Lewis]

All - We have a new tab on the Documentation/Exterior/Beds, Tailgates, & Components page.  Go to the Beds tab and then the Flareside Bed Floors tab.  But PLEASE give me suggestions on this!!!!  And, tell me about other threads that might have information that we should link to.

The Pre 7/82 tab has nothing, but I've borrowed many of Cory's words and pics for the After 7/82 tab.  

Cory - That would be Zach that redid the pre-7/82 bed.  I sent him an email asking for dimensions and approval to use his pics.

And, I hope it was ok to use your words and pics to at least get things started.  I think your measurements will be a big help when you are able to do them.

Dave - Do you want your steel floor approach included on its own tab?

Jonathan - Is this a reasonable start?  Do we still need something in Resources?

[FuzzFace2]

Gary Lewis wrote

All - We have a new tab on the Documentation/Exterior/Beds, Tailgates, & Components page.  Go to the Beds tab and then the Flareside Bed Floors tab.  But PLEASE give me suggestions on this!!!!  And, tell me about other threads that might have information that we should link to.

The Pre 7/82 tab has nothing, but I've borrowed many of Cory's words and pics for the After 7/82 tab.  

Dave - Do you want your steel floor approach included on its own tab?

If you want as I am not the only one that has done it. Think on FTE a member took my lead and did the same.

For me because I had the floor, no money and the time it was the way I went and could be an option for others.
I think the hardest part was the rear floor to sill as the floor was a little longer and I did wanted to bend the lip of the floor over but turned out to be to hard so I trimmed it off and welded it.

Also had to work the front step braces to the style side front cross member, that I had to move to line up with the frame holes, so they would support the steps.

I do have to say the wood floors look a whole lot better than my metal floor LOL
Dave ----

[Ford F834]

I like the tab Gary! I think it is better than a link in the resources folder, and easier to find if someone were browsing the site. I messaged Ken to see if he has any measurements for the early style, so maybe he can help fill in the pre-82 tab? If not I will see what I can find.

Edit: it would be nice to link Dave’s solution in there somewhere with instructions on how to graft in the metal floor. It might not be as attractive, but is a nice durable option for those who daily drive and haul with their flareside and don’t want to keep up with wood.

[Rembrant]

Gary Lewis wrote

And, I hope it was ok to use your words and pics to at least get things started.  I think your measurements will be a big help when you are able to do them.

Gary,
On here, my stuff is your stuff;)

[Gary Lewis]

Jonathan - I would like to incorporate Dave's approach, so have created a Metal Floor tab and added a few words about Dave's work as well as a link to his thread.  But it is going to take some time finding all the bits and pieces that are woven through that thread and create the verbiage to go with the pictures.

Dave - If you had the time to point me to the appropriate posts that would help.  

Cory - Thanks.  

[Gary Lewis]

I got info back from Zach 1981 Flareside and updated the page at Documenation/Exterior/Beds, Tailgates, & Components.  Then tab Beds, then Flareside Beds, then Prior to 7/82.

Let me know what you think.  

[Rembrant]

Gary Lewis wrote

Let me know what you think.  

That's a great resource Gary. People do go looking for this info from time to time.

[Gary Lewis]