Hello everyone, I have a question I am sure can be answered here. I have a 76 Crew F-250 4x4 shortbed that I recently purchased that has a flatbed. My question? I have a 1979 F-150 2WD shortbed donor truck, I was wondering and am not sure if the bed off the 79 will fit the 76??? If not, which beds would??? Thanks gor looking...

 

I dont know for sure without using a tape measure.
I dont think "highboys" came with short beds, so I believe the bolt patterns between the 76 and 79 would be the same.

 

I don't think the frame width's are the same on the 76 highboy and the 79. Check location of the bolt holes in each bed. May have to relocate bed holes.

 

If I remember correctly the Hiboy frame is like 4 inches narrower than the 1/2 ton trucks. You can use a bed off a 1/2 ton but you be drilling new holes for the mounts.

 

Thanks for the replies fellas. I was thinkin that there was a difference in frame width also. Guess I should take the tape measure to em and see what it looks like. I read that the 76 Crew Highboy in shortbed was a special order because most of the Highboys were used in Industrial jobs where longbeds made more sense... I was looking for spec's for the beds but have not found a site that has em posted. Anyone???

 

There are differences. Your '76 crew is a highboy = narrower rear frame. The bed will fit, but you have to drill new holes for mounting or figure out another way to compensate for that. MANY threads on here showing what other guys have done.

 

I just got done replacing the rusted out bed on my 76 CC 4x4 with a rust free 78-79 2wd short bed. Like everybody else said you have to drill new bolt holes as the frame is narrower. The bracing underneath the later 2wd bed is different than that of the highboy box. The frame height/design is different and the location of the second from the rear brace is in a different location (because of the rear has tank on the 78-79 frame). You will have to cut out some of the bracing/brackets or make your own for the two rear braces. I will take some pictures and post them up here later. I had to use some square tubing to mate the rear Of the bed and frame.

I put the rusted out 76 bed on the 79 frame, the highboy bed sits higher because one of the braces is resting on the fuel tank. I have to cut the brace down to get the bed to sit flat on the frame.

The swap can be done with some careful measuring. I did a buildup on my truck on the oldfordcrewcab forum.

 

Thanks again... I would like to find a bed that fits rather than drill holes in the bed I have... Post your pic's... I would love to see them...

 

I was just thinkin after posting my last reply... I have seen a few crews with short boxes but I think they are 2WD.. I think that they would have the same bed as my 79? and would not work... Now, ? is, will a bed from a supercab highboy fit??? I don't even remember seeing a supercab highboy. But just looking for answers. Thanks

 

You will have a very difficult time finding a short bed for your truck that will bolt on without any modifications. Only the F250 4x4 short beds from 73 to early 77 crew cabs are a direct bolt on for your application, all of those are "highboys". Only the 4x4 crew cabs in those years came with short beds, all of the regular cab trucks were long beds. There aren't too many of them around, and very few will be in very good condition.

I would stick to using a solid short bed regardless of whether it is from a highboy or not. The minimal amount of work that is necessary is nothing in comparison to doing body work on a trashed or rusted out highboy bed.

Here is a picture showing the difference in width between the bolt holes for the narrow frame. In an effort to save some time during the body work phase of my build I opted to weld in a short carriage bolt in the original hole. The 'new' bolt hole was drilled out and filed into a square to accommodate the carriage bolt. I plan on using a spray in bed liner to cover up the weld... should look like the bed is double bolted.



Here is a picture taken from the driver's side rear tire looking towards the frame rail. You can see in the furthest brace... where we had to weld in a taller mount (taken from the original bed). This is the only way the bed would sit correctly on the frame rail.



Here is a closer pic... I didn't remove the original (1979) brace... but welded the original 1976 brace next to it.



This is the last brace on the end of the frame... I used a piece of rectangular tubing to fill the gap (the bolt goes through this into the frame). I am going to have to replace it with a heavier walled tube or a solid piece of metal as it is starting to concave alittle.



Here it is...




All of the 4x4 crew cabs were short beds... There were no "highboy" supercabs.

 

I forgot to mention that the front bolts closest to the cab are the same on the highboy and wide frames... so only 6 of the 8 bolt holes need to be re-drilled.

 

1973/77 F250 4WD's (High Boys) available as a Cab & Chassis; Styleside or Flareside Pickup; Crew Cab with or without a pickup bed, w/a factory installed Platform (flatbed) and Platform & Rack (stakebed).

1973/76 F250 4WD, 1977 F250 4WD before serial number Y20,001 (all High Boys) have 33 1/2" rear frame rails (behind the cab).

1973/79 F100, 1975/79 F150, 1973/79 F250 2WD, 1977 F250 4WD from serial number Y20.001 (not High Boys), 1978/79 F250 4WD's have 37 1/2" rear frame rails.

1973/79 F350's on the 140" wheelbase have 33 1/2" frame rails, other 1973/79 F350 wheelbases have 37 1/2" frame rails.

1973/76 Styleside Pickups have exposed fuel caps. The fuel caps are behind doors on 1977/79 Stylesides.

The filler necks used with fuel doors are not the same as used with exposed fuel caps.

 

Nice looking crew SFJ. Love that... thats what I was afraid of, would love to have the original bed. Thank you numberDummy for the spec's. apprecaite them. I was almost positive that they did not come in supercabs. Just was not sure. I have a 77 highboy in longbed single cab.... for all that is worth.. LOL Just want to rebuild the crew now. Awesome looking truck with the short wheelbase.

 

OK, so now here is another question? Does anyone know where a guy could find a bed this rare? I have looked high and low and nothing... I was wondering if there are any aftermarket beds that I have not found??? Prefabs???

 

http://www.pros-pick.com/pickupbeds.html
You could check in with this place if you really wanted one for $1,620 + shipping.
(It`s on the bottom left of the page)

If it were me though I would just buy a original one and punch some holes in it.