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I've got a 2006 f 350 with a short bed. I notice the bed had a little more movement then usual. I went underneath and saw the supports that bolt on the frame, they run across the bed rotted. The front one is bad and the others are getting close. What would be the cost to replace the bed and how hard is it to do? I'm going to have a body shop do it. Just trying to prepare. What really pisses me off is there is no rot at all on it. Even the wheel wells. That's here in New England too.
are you going to do it yourself or take it somewhere?
This will be done by somebody else as I don't have the means of doing it myself. I know a shop where I've gone to before. I get the general idea how to do it but don't have the means to do it. I've added a few things since this picture but this is it. Other then the bed problem it's basically rust free which sucks.
If I have to get one, where in Mass or NH where I could?
I see people selling take off beds on ebay all the time complete for about $2K. Not sure what beds are interchangeable, but I'd take a look on there first.
EDIT- A lot of guys selling beds on ebay claim the same bed fits 1999-2015 trucks. Here you go:
From what I am reading here, wouldn't it be less expensive just to have the cross brace mount replaced? Cut off the old, a quick fabrication of a new heavier gauge cross brace, a few quick welds and bolt it back in place. No need to locate a new bed, travel to pick up the bed, maybe repaint and hope the colors match.
I you were doing a DIY swap it would be one thing, but if your going to pay to have one bed removed and another placed on the truck. Why not fix it rather than trash it.
From what I am reading here, wouldn't it be less expensive just to have the cross brace mount replaced? Cut off the old, a quick fabrication of a new heavier gauge cross brace, a few quick welds and bolt it back in place. No need to locate a new bed, travel to pick up the bed, maybe repaint oand hope the colors match.
I you were doing a DIY swap it would be one thing, but if your going to pay to have one bed removed and another placed on the truck. Why not fix it rather than trash it.
I may try to get the right side from LMC. The left side is fine. I could probably make the crossbars. And just weld a patch in the floor.
if you're going to keep the truck for a while longer why not just buy a complete takeoff bed? Then you know it will be GTG, you never know with you existing bed. You could spend a lot of time fixing the cross members only to have the wheelwells start rusting a year later.
^^I agree. If you like the truck and want it around a while replace the rotting bed before the cancer spreads. Having the bed off will be a good opportunity to clean up and paint the frame and parts you can't see with it on too. Any decent shop won't have too mucn trouble getting a pretty good paint match on the factory colors.
The bed is super easy to replace yourself, as long as you have 3 friends to help you lift it. I've literally taken them off in 10 minutes.
If your truck is white, you'll have no problem finding a takeoff bed, then you won't even have to pay for paint. If it's another color, and you're patient, you might still be able to find a matching one from a front end wreck or something.
Check out these replacement supports and this is a great price as they normaly go aftermarket for 550.00
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ford-Pickup-Truck-Bed-Brace-Support-1997-2010-F250-F350-F450-F550-FREE-Shipping-/321718824593?hash=item4ae7efae91&vxp=mtr
I would just be patient and keep an eye on craigslist and car-part.com .....i also am in need of a bed on my 2001, a friend of mine who owns a body shop is also lookin for a bed for me and thinks he will be able to find a silver one to match mine, they are out there. He quoted me 600 to repair one bedside if i get tired of waiting.
I agree- consider having the bed supports replaced. Once the bed is off, it is easy to find any other rusted areas, and take care of it. If you buy another bed, you will be at this place again- the new bed will rot, eventually. Replace the supports, and don't buy the expensive pre-made ones- a capable shop can make them, and out of heavier materials. Once fixed, paint the entire underside with POR15, and call it a day. You won't deal with this again. Just stick another bed on, and you will deal with it again.
I do my own metal work, and I know that I could replace my supports for WAY less than the cost of a bed. And, it would be better than new. I can't imagine it would cost $2000 for a shop to replace them and paint the bed.
After crawling around underneath I notice in the nose of the bed some rot and I'm guessing because of the bed liner. Not the whole thing but enough. I'm going to be pulling that thing out. Never had one before and won't again. I'm going to try the shop I know to get an idea. As I said I've been there before and like them and the work. As far as the friends and doing it myself, I'm on the road most of the time and could never line that up.
In the mean time I made a brace for the right side out of 1/4 steel, bolted it to the frame and have the front brace sitting on it with a rubber cushion. The left side there are the lines in the frame rail so I cut a 4" long 2x4 and jammed it on top of the frame and underneath the bed. It stiffen it up. Ain't cute but good enough till I figure out what to do.
