Short bed floor replacement/patch
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2006
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Short bed floor replacement/patch
Embarking on repair of SWB 1978 4x4 bed repair.
1) I can only find patches on lmc truck, anybody know where I can find the whole floor?
2) If the whole floor cannot be found, how do you make the depressions for the mounting bolts?
Thanks!
I didn't have much luck on these specific questions on a search. If someone knows of a thread that addresses these questions please direct me.
1) I can only find patches on lmc truck, anybody know where I can find the whole floor?
2) If the whole floor cannot be found, how do you make the depressions for the mounting bolts?
Thanks!
I didn't have much luck on these specific questions on a search. If someone knows of a thread that addresses these questions please direct me.
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 14,333
Likes: 247
From: Stanley, VA
The bed floor is the same through the '96 model year.
The long bed floors are still available new from Ford and also aftermarket. Unfortunately, the short bed floors are no longer available from Ford and they aren't reproduced.
How bad is your floor? Does the whole floor need to be replaced or just pieces of it?
If it's just pieces, consider using a long bed panel and cutting out the correct pieces and patching them in.
Another alternative, except for the outer quarter panels and tailgate posts, the complete bed is the same 73-96. You can get a later short bed and remove the outer quarter panels and tailgate posts and swap yours onto the later bed. A lot of work but if your bed is really bad, everything will fit.
The long bed floors are still available new from Ford and also aftermarket. Unfortunately, the short bed floors are no longer available from Ford and they aren't reproduced.
How bad is your floor? Does the whole floor need to be replaced or just pieces of it?
If it's just pieces, consider using a long bed panel and cutting out the correct pieces and patching them in.
Another alternative, except for the outer quarter panels and tailgate posts, the complete bed is the same 73-96. You can get a later short bed and remove the outer quarter panels and tailgate posts and swap yours onto the later bed. A lot of work but if your bed is really bad, everything will fit.
Thread Starter
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2006
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Yeah, the bed floor is pretty much swiss cheese. I didn't realize they are the same as the other years except the outside. I might have to go that route. I have a donor truck that has a good bed, but I wanted to try to repair the old one to swap with the donor. Mostly to learn how to patch these.
Im just starting this project. Pics are in the thread called "about to take the plunge."
Im just starting this project. Pics are in the thread called "about to take the plunge."
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 14,333
Likes: 247
From: Stanley, VA
Yeah, the bed floor is pretty much swiss cheese. I didn't realize they are the same as the other years except the outside. I might have to go that route. I have a donor truck that has a good bed, but I wanted to try to repair the old one to swap with the donor. Mostly to learn how to patch these.
Im just starting this project. Pics are in the thread called "about to take the plunge."
Im just starting this project. Pics are in the thread called "about to take the plunge."
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ing-build.html
The bedside reskin starts at post #196
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post15391930
It picks up again at post #206
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post15437294
But the whole thread is a great, great read, start to (un) finish!
Tuned
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 475
Likes: 34
From: Vermont
Just be aware that some of the repair panels for the beds will lose their alignment or continuity of the "ridges" and "valleys" after a couple of feet I have found. I have run into it twice on replacing just the foremost foot or so up near the head board, going side to side. Little humps and ridges are great for a few as far as alignment w/original bed, then you start to get a bit longer or shorter . A bit of a pain by the time you get to the other side; as in a lot of grinding,welding ,body work on your hands and knees. Oem pieces added to oem should be just fine. gary
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