Hey everybody!

My truck is currently in the body shop getting painted, and while it is in there I opted to get the bed crossmembers replaced. Body shop is planning on getting the bed off soon, so it is time to order! The plan is to coat the bed while it is off to help keep rust at bay for as long as possible, but I am interested to hear feedback from those that have used the crossmembers kits.

Aside from fabbing my own up (would love to go this route, I just don't have the time or access to a brake) the most popular route is to get a set off eBay (~$300 w/shipping) that look to be one piece construction vs OE two-piece. My other option is to get a set of Dormans crossmembers for $240 shipped. For those that have gone with either of these kits, did they seem up to par and how have they held up?

 

interested in this as well

 

Bit off topic but what are they charging to take the bed off and Install new members?
Cheaper than getting a entire new bed and having that dropped on ?
Thanks
Matt

 

I ended up going with the Dormans, and will be figuring out a way to seal the areas that are problematic (space between the two pieces). Mainly due to the fact I was able to get it quicker than the others.

Matt, I want to say it I was quoted around $750. Take this number with a grain of salt though, as they are in the process of redoing the entire truck, so won't know the exact number until I get the invoice.

 

Problem is Ford decided to use thinner gauge material and then double up the ends where the bed bolts go through. A disaster waiting to happen, if you look at the 97 older heavy duty trucks, gm trucks or dodge and the f150 trucks they have a single heavy gauge crossmember which can't trap salt mud etc between the two pieces. I keep up on my 2004 so I have no rot through yet but I do sand then paint the crossmember yearly and soak with fluid film before winter BUT when it's time I'm gonna go to the local Steel yard and have the guy bend me heavy gauge pieces and just weld them in myself. When I asked two years ago he quoted me around 200 dollars to have all the crossmember custom bent out of heavy gauge steel or galvanized steel if I wanted

 

older thread but I am about to do thiis job. Dorman crossmember kit for my 8' bed has 4 crossmembers. I also have rot on the Front and Rear Sills which are just crossmembers as well. I had to get them Ford OEM off of ebay... Dormans Kit comes with the hardware and cost me $281 with shipping from Rockauto. The front sill is $122 and the Rear Sill is $184...cheapest I could find them and that was ebay. To the OP, what did you use to rustproof before putting it back together?