My son and I have spent the winter restoring his 1978 Ranger larait f150 4x4. This site has been a wealth of great ideas and helped use figure out all sorts of problems.
The 8' bed on our 78 needs a lot of work but I found a decent 8' bed off of a 1975 Camper Special for a good price. Its about a 2 hour drive away and the owner has it buried in his barn.
Someone told me that this 1975 camper special might have a longer wheelbase then my 1978 and would not fit right, unless I move the rear axle back.
My current bed measures about 57" from front of bed to center of wheel opening. Could this bed be that much longer that it will cause problems.

Wondering if anyone has any info on this.

 

A camper special will have the same bed dimensions as a normal 8' bed. A Super Camper Special will have the extended wheelbase bed with the spare tire compartment in the passenger side front bedside.

Jason

 

The "Camper Special" option doesn't affect the bed. However a "Super Camper Special" has a different wheelbase and would not work in your application. Ask the Owner if the bed has a spare tire door on the passenger's side. If it does, you don't want it.

Also, a bed off a 75 will have different gas filler style than yours and would require modification to fit.

Also the pre -77's F250's had a narrower frame. In this case you just have to drill new holes for the bolts. No biggie.

 

This one does have the spare tire compartment so I guess it won't work for me.
Its in good shape though, from Alabama, so if anyone can use it let me know.

Thanks for the help.

 

I'm sure someone would take it. Those things in good shape are pretty rare.