73-79 Short bedside panel poll
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,134
Likes: 1
From: Mississippi
I dont know what the problems involved in making the short panels vs the long is but if there is a market for one, there is going to be a market for the other, dont know why someone hasnt stepped up and started manufacturing them. Maybe there was just so many more longbeds made than short and the market is much larger? That or they know they have a limited market for either and anyone that wants the shortbox can just modify the long panels they figure.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,037
Likes: 9
From: Kasson, Minnesota
Hopefully some day a company will step up and make good panels, not only shortbed, but others as well. The bed panels made now are so cheap that I would rather have a flat bed made rather than putting a cheap bedside on.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,134
Likes: 1
From: Mississippi
I have never seen the after market panels, are they that bad?
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 388
Likes: 1
From: Northern Indiana
I don't understand the big deal using a long bed side. You don't cut it in two, then weld it back together. Hang the panel, tack weld it all in place with the excess hanging off the front, then trim the excess and roll it around the front panel with a body hammer and dolly. Not nearly as hard as one might think.
Here is an 8' bedside tacked onto a shortbed..
Here it is after I cut off the excess and hammered the lip around the edge of the front panel.
Seam seal the lip after you weld it and it looks factory.
This one pictured was a slice and dice ''use the parts on hand'' project, but is the same principal if you buy a new long bedside.
Here is an 8' bedside tacked onto a shortbed..
Here it is after I cut off the excess and hammered the lip around the edge of the front panel.
Seam seal the lip after you weld it and it looks factory.
This one pictured was a slice and dice ''use the parts on hand'' project, but is the same principal if you buy a new long bedside.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,134
Likes: 1
From: Mississippi
You would have to do just about the same to replace a short box panel anyways, minus the trimming. I honestly didnt realize that was all there was too it, I thought you had to "split" the long panel as well, thanks Redsuperduty, nice to learn that.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 388
Likes: 1
From: Northern Indiana
Cut out the center one and weld a patch in it.
Weld in the one you cut out for the front pocket.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,134
Likes: 1
From: Mississippi
I think you are a little more skilled in this area than many of us, but its good to know what needs to be done if I ever need it done. I can burn rods with an old lincoln but dunno bout sheet metal on my truck!
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 388
Likes: 1
From: Northern Indiana
I'll bet you and most others would do better than you think if you give it a try.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,037
Likes: 9
From: Kasson, Minnesota
They will work, but the metal is very very thin and in many times the shipping can really dent the metal up. If you get lucky, and get one that doesn't have the dents from shipping that they can work OK, but still no where near factory metal.