Been beating myself pretty good with local body shops as to how to restore the bed on the f150. Got the corrosion coming through around the wheel wells. Don't mind spending the money and putting in the time to get it done but, would like to get it right the first time. Any help with premium replacement panels, techniques, etc would be appreciated. Have already determined that removing it and spending some time in the garage is essential, have most of the tools and a neighbor who works in the field. Would not be opposed to a new bed if available. Front Cab is rot free.

 

1st you need to cut off the old bedsides and inner wheel weld arches by drilling out the 100 or so spot welds.

Take the new wheel well inner arches and put drain holes in them(pics below)

Then PAINT the backside of the bed side and inner wheel well arch.

Use Panel bonding Adhesive to glue the top bed rail, wheel arch and lower rear bed support. Spot weld around the tail light and front leading edge.

After you are done welding PAINT the welds from BOTH sides

 

Or find a good Southern bed and have it shipped to you then keep it washed out regularly.

 

the southern bed idea has been brought up repeatedly and haven't been able to find a good source, any help with sites would help greatly, thanks.

 

Where are you. I have a guy in Maryland that goes all over the south buying rust free truck parts. You will PAY about 1000 for rust free bed. And most will need 6-8 hours worth of body work before paint.

OR you can do what I said for under 1000 in material and it will NEVER rust out

 

In NY and never rust out.........

 

If it is prepped right, YES

 

Canisteo New York, leaning towards disassembling the box and going right along the lines you've suggested. Have had discussions with TP Tools as to undercoating the undersides so as to do it right the first time. Thanks, any additional tips appreciated.

 

Canisteo New York, leaning towards disassembly and new Panels, any advice on who to purchase the panels from, I'd like to have good ones.

 

Do NOT undercoat. All that does is trap moisture against the panel and rot it out. Paint or use POR15 on the under and backside

Here is a dually bed I am making.
FULLY sandblasted, then POR15, Then tractor black.
The whole truck got the same treatment
I am going to run this truck in every sort of weather, I did it to LAST

 

That's pretty much how we plan on attacking it, it has been Ziebart treated and has annual resprays, I've dealt with POR-15 through TP Tools. Now do I beat myself up over the Ziebart?

 

The truck That I am doing all the work too has been Zeibarted. For where they could get, it worked pretty good. BUT the spots they couldn't/didnt get looked AWEFUL. That is why I tear everything apart as FAR AS POSSIBLE to clean and treat.

I used a heated power washer to strip the zeibart off