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I have two options but dont which is better (if their is such a thing). I currently have no bed ... zero .. zilch ... nada. So, my two options are to 1. buy a'78-'79 bed and repair it or 2. buy an '80-'96 bed(because the outer skin is the only difference) and replace the outer skin. Option 1 is cheaper but more difficult and has a longer project time while option 2 is faster and easier (a relative term here) but much more expensive. So basically I'm asking is the price difference worth not doing rust and dent repair? Here are some pics of a bed I found in my town.
Option 1 is my choice. I did this to my 79. I bought 2 bed patch panels for $60 and went at it. Sand the inside of the bed floor down to bare metal and stand it on end. Start circling daylight wholes with a Sharpie. If an area looks like Swiss cheese, just cut a patch to cover as much as possible - the patch panels I used were 16' x 48".
I had to drill out a few spot welds on the underside rails for a few repairs. I used the drill/plug method with a self-tapper to get the weld tight.
It took me a full weekend but it only cost me around $90.00 (panels, wire, primer) to fix the whole bed. IMO Option 1 is easier than messing with side panels.
if you have a welder or a friend with one the box skins are much better than patch panels PERIOD! I will be doing a how to thread on box skins using basic tools most have or can buy cheap in April. Ive been in auto body and welding and fab work for over 35yrs. If the floors are decent,skin it.
if you have a welder or a friend with one the box skins are much better than patch panels PERIOD! I will be doing a how to thread on box skins using basic tools most have or can buy cheap in April. Ive been in auto body and welding and fab work for over 35yrs. If the floors are decent,skin it.
I am doing one a bit different. Interior bed from a 93' and bedside skins from an original 78'. Thinking of a no weld approach, just using body panel adhesive.
The dent bed you are looking at does not look bad. Not too hard to fix. I fixed my OE bed that looked worse with patch panels. Still, I am interested in the "how to" for bedside replacement.
Is LMC the only place to get new bed skins? They want $250 per side plus shipping. If I go the route of re-skinning a newer bed I won't have a matching tail gate either ... atleast I'm getting the frame cleaned up, right? LOL
Is LMC the only place to get new bed skins? They want $250 per side plus shipping. If I go the route of re-skinning a newer bed I won't have a matching tail gate either ... atleast I'm getting the frame cleaned up, right? LOL
Hey, guys I'm in a similar situation and I've been searching around on the NPD site and LMC. I found the floor, side panels and tailgate but am unsure of the quality of the product. Are these panels and floors cheap, thin and/or easily dented/damaged? I was looking at this https://www.npdlink.com/store/produc...423-50919.html thought about attempting to reattach the original side panels after restoring.
I will be doing a how to thread on box skins using basic tools most have or can buy cheap in April. Ive been in auto body and welding and fab work for over 35yrs. If the floors are decent,skin it.
Definitely looking forward to this. I have a slightly different objective that I hope you'll also cover. I have 2 '76 long beds and a '77 parts truck. The '77 has two nicer looking fuel filler hatches that I'd like to transplant to my '76 F-100 and '78 F-150.
