I recently bought a 1979 f150 and the bed is in pretty bad shape. I have been looking at sheet metal on LMC truck and it seems like they have everything to build an entire bed, I was wondering if anyone has ever attempted this. All the beds I have been finding on craigslist or junk yards are only slightly better and a short term fix at best. Any suggestions?

 

Find a 80-96 bed and just replace the outer quarter panels and tailgate, the inside part of the bed was the same from '73-'96

 

If you look close, there are probably quite a few braces and other odds and ends that are not available re-pop. They can be fabbed/re-made (I've done a few) but it may be easier to re-skin a later bed. Good luck either way!

 

Actually, pretty much everything is available aftermarket to build a new long bed, short bed parts aren't being reproduced. The one exception are what are commonly called the tail posts (Ford calls them 'pillar assy., rear corner'), that's the piece that the latches and hinges bolt to for the tailgate. These aren't reproduced and there are no NOS units left. They do make a "repair" post but that won't work for a "new" bed installation. The tailpost is basic p/n 278A69 in the illustration.
If you want to spend the money, the floor pan with crossbraces and the back board are still available from Ford but they are pricey. The floor pan is a about $660.00 list and the back board is around half that at $330.00 Both of these can be sourced online at a substantial discount or the aftermarket, while thinner metal and poorer fit are substantially cheaper.

 

LMC.....I am not saying a thing about there cheap beer can thin overseas made junky fitting panels.

Ck out Tabco, and Dennis carpenter.

 

On re-skinning the 80-96 bed, would one run into any trouble with the tail light area?...not trying to high jack.

 

That's the one snag you'll run into on re-skinning a later model bed. You'll need to either reuse the tail posts off of the dentside bed or source a pair of used ones. This is the one part that's not reproduced and there are no NOS ones available.
The do sell a "repair" post but this won't work for re-skinning the bed.

 

What would a complete used box cost? Do they exist? You might even get the right color.

 

Mike0o0o0...right on man, now i gotcha!. Thanks for the pic too its a great help to visually see whats going on. I have an 80-96 bed that came on the truck and have been contemplating re-skinning but without a dent side for reference its hard to get an idea of the work required.

 

To be honest, I don't know whether the 80-96 posts can be modified to work. You might take the taillight out of your bed and look at the post.

 

Check out this thread by pauli3wood for re-skinning a later bed. The original sides are stripped on page 10 (https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-build-10.html) with work continuing on page 14. The whole thread is a fantastic read!

 

Somebody on here about 2 years ago built a whole bed out of LMC stuff. I know there is a thread somewhere.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...n-its-way.html



I wouldn't do it with the cheap junk they sell but some like it I guess.

 

I remembered that thread but couldn't find it. Thanks for posting the link.

 

Yeah awesome find CelticOne. Ill definitely have to look at my tailgate post because im curious as to what the big difference is.

 

I had the same issue with my 76 resto. I needed a bed, I priced thru LMC, about 2,500 bucks shipped to me in pieces. That was for the complete bed and tailgate (no trim). I did find a place on-line that did the work for the "thru 96" conversions. I remember them being about the same price as LMC but at least it was put together. I think they were in Michigan.

Nevertheless, I found a complete LMC bed locally that someone had bought for a restore but ran out of time and money and he sold it to me for 1K. Needless to say, I was ecstatic to get new steel for this price. Believe me, I still had to tear the thing apart and straighten out the poor "jigmanship" from Taiwan. It's not as good as American steel but these beds are getting harder and harder to find. All in all, the LMC route is a viable option, with a lot of work and a good body guy they can be made to look really nice.

If you have enough good bed parts left to attach to (I didn't) you can get just the pieces you need.