I believe Studebaker widened the beds in 1956. The '49-'55 beds are all the same 48.5".
FWIW, some claim the later tailgates are made of stiffer gauge metal than the earlier beds. One local member said he narrowed the later tailgate and liked it better than an earlier one. If you have the metal-working skills or can find someone who does, consider that option.
thnx, jack vines
Posted on May 15, 2008, 10:46 AM from IP address 67.185.9.226