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I have a 1995 short box on my 1980 Custom F100 which replaced the original box that was far too gone to repair. I do want to restore the original look of matching front/rear fender openings. To that end I got a couple of '80-'86 long box bedsides (can't get short bedsides) that I think I can be adapted. I will be keeping the 1995 tailgate to simplify things and I like the look; I'm not restoring the truck. I plan to remove the existing bedsides and use a metal adhesive to attach the new ones.
I will need to change over the 1995 wheel houses to the 1980 type. Can they be easily positioned so that I can get them welded in place or do I have to trial fit the bedsides to locate their position on the frame? Are the wheelhouse edges to be glued to the bedside fender opening lips? Could the wheelhouse be secured with screws only if I trim out the wheel openings with aluminum wheel arch mouldings as I plan to do?
If I trim the long bedsides at the front edge by the cab to fit could they be flanged and glued there or should I get that edge butt welded?
That seems like alot of work for what you want to do. You would probably be money ahead if you were to find a bed the year of your truck or closer and replace the bed sides. or maybe go to lkq and buying bed sides, they can be replaced in about 4 hrs and will look right. What you are interested in doing is going to take a month of sundays and cause alot of headaches. the beds look to be the same from 80-86 and shouldnt be hard to find at a local salvage.
There aren't any '80-'86 short beds around here. I do have a pair of '80-'86 wheel arch patch panels and they could be used (see below). The inner wheel arch would still need to be changed and I would then retain the '87-'95 tail lights.
