I think I have exhausted all other search methods trying to find information about the factory flatbed on my 1959 ford f-250. I found the truck out in an old shed in southern washington and couldn't resist asking about it. Later that day i drove it home for $700 dollars. I thought that was a steal. All original, 223 I6, 3 speed manual on the column, almost no rust (little on the cab corners) even still had bias ply tube tires on it with what must be the original spare.

I have started my restoration and have a question...

What did the tail end of a pickup look like with a factory (or dealer installed) 7' flatbed on it? It has FORD stamped in the back (not script). If anyone has pictures that would be great! Hours on google have gotten my no closer. I would like to find out what kind of tail lights are supposed to go on it and how they were mounted. I assume they were the shield type. Also any other details about the factory flatbeds would be much appreciated!

 

I cannot tell you much about the bed itself, but the tail/stop lights could have been one of several types. One type would be the "shield" type of Ford lights mounted on the same brackets as used on the F500 and F600 trucks. Left side lamp would have a window for illuminating the license plate, and a license plate bracket.
I have also seen the generic round tail/stop lights used with the same kind of bracket.

The brackets bolt to the frame, and the lights are outboard of the frame. Sorry I do not have pictures.

 

Maybe a picture will help spark some ideas?

The taillights are aftermarket but i believe the brackets to be factory (have original paint on them. the steel bar across between the frame is also aftermarket. I was wondering what was supposed to be there.

Thanks!

 

Welcome to the fridge world. My 59 F350 had a very similar bed but with the 'ford' in script. I intend to put it on my '37 1 1/2 ton as it has a homemade wooden bed and I put a 9' flareside box on the '59. It's too dark to go out and look now, but from this photo I already have it looks like it had the shield tail lights. They were in really rough shape, but tomorrow I can get a photo of what they are. Looks like your bed is in nice shape. Hey, that's a Washington plate!

 

Your flatbed is the only other I have seen that has the wood spacer between the frame and the bed, although mine on the right side at the back has a space for the spare tire to slide in from the right on top of the frame.

Thank you for the picture! I am fairly certain now that shield taillights would be appropriate for my pickup!

Now all that remains is to figure out where this flatbed without script came from and what the tail end was supposed to look like (below the rear end of the flatbed).

 

Those light brackets look original, so the shield type should bolt right up. Often those brackets get bent over the years, so a little straightening can help make sure the lights point straight back. When you get the lights, get the license plate bracket that fits the back of the light for the "factory" look.

On the bed, the FORD in block letters might mean this was a dealer or upfitter installed bed, which was common. The back of the bed looks pretty original - just the end of the frame and frame crossmember. Often, a piece of angle or bar was welded at the end of the frame so a hitch ball could be mounted or a pin hitch for a farm wagon could be used - it looks like yours has that. Also, the "bumpers" on the back of the bed look as if they were part of the bed installation.

 

If someone could help me decode this maybe I could see if it was a dealer installed bed.

F25J9R14398
118G F25J 03L A06
07400 126 4000

I would be very interested to know what all of those numbers and letters mean!

Thanks!

 

Those numbers are off of the plate on the glovebox door, right?

F25 Series code, F250 J Engine, 223 9 Model year, 1959 R Assembly plant, San Jose 14398 Unit Number

118 Wheelbase G Color F25 Model J ? 03L Date Code A 3 speed manual 06 4.88 : 1 rear axle

07400 Max GVW 126 Net HP @ 4000 RPM

 

Thank you for the quick reply!

Unfortunately I think that the most important letter is that J after the model. I think that would refer to whether it was a cab and chassis or something else

Any ideas what the J means?
Thanks again!

 

According to the manuals I have, the J does not belong in the model slot.

Model codes for the 1959 F250 are F250 - 4x2, 7400 GVW F260 - 4x2, 4900 GVW F280 - 4x4, 7400 GVW F290 - 4x4, 4900 GVW



There will not be anything on that tag to indicate what a dealer installed.

 

I'm not sure how well you can make out the numbers but I just double checked, it is F25J.

I guess that I meant that I would be able to find out what ford put on the truck, not the dealer.

Anybody have an idea about the J?

 

I never have found any information on a FORD flatbed (non-script) but I have been working on the truck! I hope to have it running and driving this summer or sooner!

 

Out with the old leaking 3 speed and in with the new (to me) 4 speed T98

 

Looking good, making some nice progress.

 

As the old Ferd sits now!