I want to get my '81 F-150 restored but I could use some pointers on doing this. It is rusting out around the rear fenders. The drivers side is worse. That side is rusted up at least 2 inches. Pretty bad, not surface rust, it is missing. Rusted on passenger side same way, but not quite as bad. Rear drivers side corner is rusted out on the box. The Cab corner has a good sized hole rusted in it too. Front drivers fender is totally shot. There is a hole rusted straight through in the bed, right next to one of the rear bolts that holds the box down.
Any idea of how much this would cost to get fixed? Would need to get it repainted then too.

John

 

Look for another bed from a 80-86 F-series. You will possibly have to get it repainted, but you can find em in better shape than yours. I bought one about 5 years ago with a rust hole the size of a ball-point pen and picked it up for $600. This was about $1000 cheaper than paying a shop to replace the bedsides. I replaced the panel over the fenderwell with the rust, it was fine up until about 6 months ago. Would have lasted longer except that I lived in Utah for a winter and the salt killed it.
Also, don't get anything newer than 86, the body lines do NOT match and looks bad, especially if you are looking at a restoration.
To fix the bed you have, they (shop) would have to replace BOTH bedsides (~$400 each + labor) plus cut and fix floor (unless it isn't repairable, then they would have to replace that as well). Finding a bed that someone pulled off a truck when it was newer, and put on a flatbed is the ideal, but they can be hard to find. Especially since the beds are now 14+ years old.

Chris
cmercer@skylinecomm.com
http://www.mountaineers4x4.org/mercer
'82 F-350, '53 Dodge PU, '85 4Runner
Proud enough to stack hay, crazy enough to eat it.