1959 A-130 stakebed pickup

[Alec Milstein]

Hi everyone!
I am the new owner of a '59 A-130 stakebed pickup straight six. unrestored, been in California all it's life. Supporting member Rick has told me that they went to the B series in Feb. of '59...I am wondering if anyone knows what kind of wood may have been used originally for the bed and stake fences?? Looking forward to hearing anything from anyone!!!

Alec

[Paul "Misterfixit" Schulz]

Hi alec, i am unsure of what timbers were used state side, but here all trays fitted to IHC vehicles were made independantly of IHC by other companies, what holds true though is the fact that you should use the hardest timber native to you area, if you use timber that is not from your area it will not last in the local conditions. this comes from old time building techniques for the cutting and installation of timber roofing shingles.

near on 200 years ago paddle steamers were introduced to our 'Murray' river, they were made from imported californian redwood, as a result most rottedc out in 12 months, replacement timber was sourced from the local hardwood the 'Murray Red Gum' as a result some of those paddle steamers are still in operation today some 150 years later! :D

[Alec Milstein]

Paul -
Thanks for your good, sound advice. Being a carpenter by trade, I am sensitive to the aspects of wood durability and survival to local conditions, and your thoughts make perfect sense to me. I know that this truck has been in California since it was made, and therefore will be species sensitive when it comes time to rebuild the bed and stakes. I understand that red gum is a beautiful wood down under, by the way....

Cheers, and thanks for your comments,

Alec

[Paul "Misterfixit" Schulz]

that red gum is some tough timber! it blunts saw's in no time, my friend from california (born and raised in oregon) who just moved out here because he married an aussie girl, laughed when i threw a peice under the tip of a rock breaker/jack hammer he was fixing on a mini 10klb excavator, he had that sucker up on one track hammering away for over 30 minutes - it failed to split a peice of 6"x4" redgum! yet put a hole in a concrete driveway like butter. :D Red Gum is a nice timber but is really only used in major construction or home use, it is rarely used for centerpeices or furniture as is is very hard to shape and smooth and is too heavy to move around the house! it takes some time to get going in a fire too, but burns all night long.

[Alec Milstein]

Tough stuff that red gum!! Well, all the research I have been doing points to white oak as the primary wood of use here for the beds and stakes, at least in the older days.....but I'll continue to dig.One must be thorough...Any thoughts about re-painting these vehicles? Do you repaint yours? There is certainly a charm about the preserved hard-worn working truck look, but I also see many completely repainted.....

[Paul "Misterfixit" Schulz]

my girls are waiting for paint still, but i wont paint the timber, i prefer to stain and seal any visible timber, there is something about that wood grain that i really am drawn to!

[Jim Grammer]

Tough stuff that red gum!! Well, all the research I have been doing points to white oak as the primary wood of use here for the beds and stakes, at least in the older days.....but I'll continue to dig.One must be thorough...Any thoughts about re-painting these vehicles? Do you repaint yours? There is certainly a charm about the preserved hard-worn working truck look, but I also see many completely repainted.....

Yup, I think white oak was pretty common, at least on the west coast.

My pet peeve on repaints is using modern BC/CC systems on old IH's. Makes 'em look way too shiny and 'over-restored' IMHO. I appreciate the effort some folks go to in their body/paint work, but to me good ol' acrylic enamel has the right look. Don't forget to leave a little run or sag here and there, I don't expect that factory paint jobs were all that perfect ;)

You planning on bringing your truck to the Western Regionals next April? The antique tractor show is also a great time, and lots of early trucks show up:

http://www.farmshow.org/antique/default.asp

[Alec Milstein]

Jim-

I have also heard that white oak was the common thing here on the west coast as well...in any case, I agree with you about the painting/ over restoring. What I'd really like to do is leave it exactly the way it is, but perhaps find some sort of a clear coat system to preserve/protect from any further deterioration. The Western regionals sounds like fun - don't know anything about it. Where is that? I'm not sure the truck could make it over the grapevine to Tulare...but I'm working on that part!!

[Jim Grammer]

The Western regionals sounds like fun - don't know anything about it. Where is that? I'm not sure the truck could make it over the grapevine to Tulare...but I'm working on that part!!

Visit the link in my previous post. The Western Regionals are held in conjunction with the antique tractor show.

[Alec Milstein]

Looks like fun - If I can get her over the grapevine, I'll be there!