Bed Side Panel Replacement (shortbed)

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Dec 26, 2014 | 02:50 PM

InspectorCallahan

Thread Starter

New User

Joined: Jan 2014

Posts: 18

Likes: 0

Bed Side Panel Replacement (shortbed)

My '77 shortbed (Styleside) is in desperate need of some bodywork. I, like many, have rust issues over the rear wheels. There are also a few rusty spots elsewhere on the bed sides. It looks like I'll need to replace the whole bed side panels. I checked LMC however all I can find are longbed sides. Is there a source for shortbed panels or are the longbed panels all that's available? If the longbed panels are all that's available, are they just cut to length?

Dec 26, 2014 | 04:20 PM

77&79F250

Moderator & parts slinger

Joined: Feb 2007

Posts: 50,247

Likes: 5,815

From: S/W Missouri, Polk county

Ever hear of Tabco? https://tabcoparts.com/pickup-trucks...1978-1979.html

Jeff's Bronco Graveyard
National Parts Depot:Ford Truck Parts & Accessories | 1948-1979
LMC Truck - Ford Truck Parts and Truck Accessories
MAC's Antique Auto Parts
Blue Oval Truck Parts
Dennis Carpenter Ford Restoration Parts
Speedway Motors, Street Rod & High Performance Parts
Carolina Classics, Obsolete Ford Truck Parts, truck part, ford truck part, truck body parts, classic truck part, pickup truck part, old truck part, classic ford truck part, antique truck part, old ford truck part, auto truck part, ford truck restorat

The angle/curve on the bed fender well lip that rusts all the time can be patch paneled by a piece from a from a spare JY front fender, it is the same angle...

FYI NOS or replacement SB complete panels are going to be $$$$$

Dec 26, 2014 | 04:43 PM

mikeo0o0o0

Hotshot

Joined: Apr 2009

Posts: 14,333

Likes: 247

From: Stanley, VA

As far as I know, no one makes shortbed replacement sides. Occasionally you'll see NOS pieces on e-bay but these always go for $$$. The long bed can be shortened to work but you'll need to deal with the center stake pocket, which doesn't exist on the shortbed.
Unlike GM which shortens the dimension both in front of and behind the wheel well, Ford shortens the bed only in front of the wheel well.
Like Rich said, I would look into replacing the wheel well arch. This is a very common problem and a very common repair.
Personally I like Tabco panels.

Dec 26, 2014 | 05:59 PM

HIO Silver

Fleet Owner

Joined: Dec 2009

Posts: 20,678

Likes: 83

From: NorCal

This why 73-79 wheel arches rust out. See the dark area? That's where mud and dirt gets packed in and it cannot drain/clear out because the frickin' drain holes are too few and too small. Thanks Ford!

My remedy was to section large areas along the outboard of the wheel well liner resulting in only tabs being welded to the wheel arch of the bed skin.