Hey, all,

I have a '66 F250 2wd with an 8 ft bed. The outer skins are in great shape, but the floor is toast. I have been told that my outer skins will fit on a '73-79 box...true? I'm looking at all my options for replacement. Any help/knowledge would be much appreciated. Thanks!

 

This should verify.






John

 

Not much "grey area" there! U da man! Now...if I can find a solid bed. ??? What year is that bed specifically?

 

1964/66 F100/250 2WD / 1966 F100 4WD

 

Hey, NumberDummy! Not sure what your reply was...You quoted me, then nothing else. I'd love to hear your "take" on this - looking for all the knowledge I can get before I start. Can you confirm as well? If I find a '73-'79 bed in good shape, will my skins weld right on? And, will the finish bed bolt onto the truck, or will I have to mod to make it fit?

 

You asked John what the bed was from specifically. I told you since John isn't here right now. He's probably eating dinner, or watching TV, and/or having a libation as he lives in NC, where it's 7:09 EST

Here in LA LA Land, it's 4:09 PST, the sun is shining and the birds are chirping. I have no comment on the 1973/79 bed. I read a post where someone claimed the inner beds are all the same.

Claimed is not proof positive.

 

I gotchya...thanks. But that bed isn't a '64-'66, is it? if so, that doesn't answer my queestion - I'm wanting to know about '66 skins on a '73-'79 bed. From the picks, the floor and tub look like just that - a '73-'79. Just making sure, as that is what I'm leaning toward trying.

 

Only thing is, the red part of the bed is from something *newer* than 73, as proven by the rounded inner fenders and where the sides and floor meet.
The outer skins are from the years you listed.

 

Ford sold the bedsides (quarter panels) complete with the wheelhouses that included the smooth sections of the bed floor in front of and behind the wheelhouses. The ribbed bed pans were sold separately.

There were no skins available. I looked at the pic, couldn't tell what the wheelhouse is from, but the bed cannot be from something newer than 1973 .. as all 1973/79 Styleside beds are basically the same.

Left quarter panel: 1973/76's have exposed fuel caps, 1977/79's have fuel doors.

Right quarter panel: 1973/79 F350's on the 140" wheelbase have a door in front of the right rear wheel that the spare tire fits behind.

 

That is a photo that I saved over 10 years ago that someone else posted because I liked the idea. I don't know specifically what years were used. As Bill posted 64-66 exposed (skins) sides, actual bed newer.

I have never done a specific box measurement but the sizes up on top for cap purposes the beds are very similar well up in the 80s and maybe 90s.

It appears to me that a length cut was made up near the front. I am or have been a pretty decent interior trim carpenter but not a metal worker like Garbz is, but I surely would not hesitate looking at that combo to make a project work.


John

 

Awesome, John...thanks to you, and thanks to ALL of you for giving me your insight into the idea. I've been examining all of the options, but most of them just don't make sense from a "cost/benefit" point of view. If I had an "emotional attachment" to this truck, cost would be a non-factor - but I don't, so it is. *L* I'm gonna go out to all of my "hunting grounds" today and see what is out there in terms of '73-'79 beds. As I make progress, I'll try to post pics/lessons learned here. Thanks again!

Steve

 

The inner bed sides and floor have the same profile from 73-96. Doesn't exactly mean they are the same pieces, but they sure look the same. A precut rubber mat fits 73-96, as does a hard bed liner.

One item to note though. The frame rails are further apart on 73+ than 72-, at least under the bed. This would require attention in the mounting hole areas.

 

This would take some fabrication. The 73+ is true double-sided from top to bottom. The upper part of the 64-72 is single-wall. The bedside starts at the top as outer then folds inward at the seam to make the lower inside of the bed. The lower outer portion is welded at the seam. I would think to make a "skin" would require cutting off the inside part.

 

Not all 1973/79's have 37 1/2" inner rear frame rails behind the cab.

1973/77 F250 4WD (High Boys) & 1973/79 F350's on the 140" wheelbase have 33 1/2" inner rear frame rails behind the cab, same as 1961/72 F100/350.

 

True. I forgot about the "highboys", and the 140" wheeelbase bed wouldn't make a decent donor, since the inner fenderwells wouldn't be in the right location.......