Has anyone here converted 8 foot Utiline bed sides to 9 footers?

[sixpak340]

I have heard it has been done by those with the longer wheel base 300 1-ton models, so has anyone here done it?

Other than cutting and welding, any tips or useful measurements?

Thanks!

[Hobcobble]

I have heard it has been done by those with the longer wheel base 300 1-ton models, so has anyone here done it?

Other than cutting and welding, any tips or useful measurements?

Thanks!

To do it accurately, you'd need to add length at both ends..... not just from the
axle forward.

John

[sixpak340]

I was aware of that, thanks.

What I am hoping for are actual measurements - over all bed length on the outside, inside of front bed panel to top center of wheel well and from the top center of wheel well to tailgate mounting surface.

Those would all help.

[sixpak340]

I went bed hopping today.... truck beds of course. ;-)

I found 9' sides in Maryland from a '69 then picked up a short bed from a '76 for spare parts / donor metal.

The 9's need some work, but no big deal.

I'll post all the measurements after I get the trailer unloaded and the fenders off.

[sixpak340]

OK, for anyone that asks in the future or just wants to know....

The 9' bed sides are 109 inches long overall.

From the front of the bed side to the top center of the wheel arch is 56 1/2 inches and from the back of the bed side to the top center of the wheel arch is 52 1/2 inches.

[sixpak340]

I saw a pair of Power Wagon rear fenders at a pal's place about a month ago, he took them off a '53. The radius looked like a possible match for the Utiline bed radius, and it is!

Mock up today. Too short to meet the front steps, but possible to fabricate that part plus the extra width for a dually now that I know for sure.

So if I can not find the correct dually fenders for my bed, this may be the way to go since the Power Wagon rear fenders are available via the aftermarket.

[712edf]

I don't know how far from original you're willing to venture but I have seen stand alone rear fenders on big rigs that may have a close enough radius & width to give you a good base piece of metal to start fabrications with.

Bucky

[sixpak340]

I have looked into that some..... there is a big rig bone yard about an hour east.

There was an old fire truck at the Carlisle truck show that appeared to have very similar rear fenders too.