Hey all,

Trying to decide what to do with my '79 f-150. At some point the bed had both rear wheel wellspatched. Not done correctly and both have rusted out. One side is considerably worse than the other.

I know its hard to find good shape beds for these old trucks. I had a hard time finding a good long bed on my last project. I messed up and didn't react fast enough a couple months ago and missed a darn near rust free short bed for $250! Ahhh! Anyways...

The rest of the body is in pretty good shape. Not going for a show truck just want a clean old truck. My main concern is it worth having a body shop fix my current bed? I got a guy who I know does good cheap work. But, even with his prices, I'll have 600 just into both the rear wheel wells. The lower area by the tail light may need replaced as well.

Any advice out there? Just don't want to pour a lot of money into the truck in case I should have to sell it and never get it back.

Thanks,

Kyle

 

Thats really a personal decision for you to make. If you are going to keep the truck and want it nice, then by all means fix it right. If its a good truck in good shape, fixing it right can only add some value if you do decide to sell. Nothing gives a buyer leverage or kills a sale like a rusty body.

 

Get a welder and a set of body hammers and do it yourself! Body work is fun!!

 

2X with getting a welder. The up-front costs can be daunting but it is a tool that will pay for itself many times over and even moreso over a lifetime of being a gearhead.

You'll never look at a piece of metal the same way ever again. Lastly, welding skills will allow you to pick up those bargains that others walk away from.... or fabricate parts that no one else has.

Figure about $1500 to set yourself up with a decent hobby MIG shop.