I have a '78 F-250 and it has a leaking gas tank in the rear. I removed the front side tank several years ago due to a line leak that was too difficult to reach. I'm keeping the truck off the road till next summer and I'm thinking about removing the bed to facilitate the rear-tank replacement and also to run all new lines for both tanks, and then re-install the front side tank also.

Does anybody have advice on the bed removal or anything I should do while it's off? I don't really know where to start but I'll get under it and figure it out I suppose.

Thanks for any tips.

Dennis

 

if i took my bed off my truck, i would sand the frame down and paint it. make it look nice and take care of any rust. i would put new lines in too, since you got new tanks.

 

my sentiments exactly. blast it or wire wheel it, prime and paint it, and replace everything thats hard to access with the bed on. and while your at it, pull the cab and front clib and take care of the front half too.

 

advice- don't drop it on your arm. I have the scars to back this one up.

 

took the box off my '76 a couple weeks ago. 4 hour job. we did not use an air impact or it would have been alot sooner-trust me. took the front end off on monday with the impact, what a difference. [8] bolts/nuts is what you got along with dropping the tanks and filler necks ect. one bolt in the left forward part of the bed was like a big phillips head that was connected via a clip on the frame. put on at factory to hold the bed as it went down the line? was a pain though. had to chisel the clip in half. wear safety glasses or goggles like i did. the rust was raining down. mine is nearly done blasting and wire wheeling, will be ready for rust bullet soon. i had a friend help me. he's an animal and could break those nuts loose. spray 'em down with penetrating oil and have at it. good luck to ya.

 

Thanks for the advice gentlemen. I cut the heads off of all 8 bolts from the top, the bed is garbage(rust) so I didn't have to worry about preserving it. That front, drivers side clip is a doozy. I was thinking maybe it's a fail-safe method of keeping the bed attached should the other 7 nuts fall off through the years. The bolt has a star head on it on my truck.

Nothing left to do now but get 4 friends over here to pick it up and set it aside so I can get to work on the gas tank removal & replacement. Then I'll get to work looking for a bed in better shape than mine.

I will run all new fuel lines and re-install the front side tank also. Cleaning and painting the frame seems like a good idea also.

Thanks again.

Dennis

 

That bolt is like that due the the fuel tank being there and not having any access to the frame to remove a nut should the bed need to be removed...so it was put in from the top...unfortunately...when you are dealing with trucks that are over 30 plus years old...bolts have a tendency to NOT want to come out...that is the one I look forward to the least!!!

 

I grinded those bolts off too. When I replaced my bed I went to the hardware store and bought a couple carriage bolts and used two extensions to tighten them down, so I don't ever have that problem again.

 

I have a 78 that needs a new bed as well. The inner and outer sides are ok, but the floor is toast. How did you go about replacing yours?

 

Is rust bullet better then por15 ?

 

oldblue1978,

I didn't replace it yet and was just going to inquire the same thing as you. Is it possible to buy a new bed anywhere or separate parts that can then be assembled (welded up)? My bed floor is toast & the quarters are probably non-repairable for the most part. I don't mind spending the money for something nice for this truck. It's a strong runner (351m) with an engine built by Booth-Arons.

I'm going to take my time and do everything right with it. The cab could use some repair too & I might as well get fenders and door skins.

Does anybody know if beds are available or must they be found used?

P.S. oldblue1978, nice color & year.

Dennis

 

took the bed off mine a few years back, painted the frame, replumbed lines, re did elec, and while i was at it i ran frame webbing between the box and the bed. and while i was at it i redid the brakes and put new bushings in the leaf springs. guess what i am trying to say is thats a good time to do everything you can think of while the box is off.

 

I found a site called LMCtruck.com that sells the bed new, however it would cost about 3k for the material and then it requires welding (which I would have to pay for). I talked to a couple of body shops that said a slavaged bed is the best option from a cost perspective. I'm in no hurry on mine so it may take me a while to find one.

 

to be honest i have never used rust bullet. i have used por 15. it has flaked off on a car i did. underneath was not rusty, probably why.
i actually plan on using chassis saver on my truck. silver on the box bottom and black on the frame.
you can find the chassis saver on the same site as monst liner. cool site.
hope this helps.

 

take a good look at the brake lines for rust/rubbing ect