Complete LMC bed?
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 854
Likes: 7
Be careful. TV makes it looks simple because their sponsors are selling you something.
I have never, ever opened a box of "new" sheet metal and have it fit correctly, whether from LMC, goodmark, etc. Even the repop high end MOPAR sheetmetal for irreplaceable classics require MUCH, MUCH trimming, bending, re-drilling and a pile of filler to fill gaps, pinched seams and slightly off body lines. Even the rare US-made sheet metal requires massaging.
For a few years, I worked specifically in fixing high dollar vintage muscle cars that no one else would touch, destroyed by northeast winters and years of abuse, much like our trucks.
In the end you will have a rust free truck bed that will last you a very long time..... But you will also spend a very long time getting everything to align up, lots of trimming, fitting and refitting, welding and bending and you will still have filler in it.
I have never, ever opened a box of "new" sheet metal and have it fit correctly, whether from LMC, goodmark, etc. Even the repop high end MOPAR sheetmetal for irreplaceable classics require MUCH, MUCH trimming, bending, re-drilling and a pile of filler to fill gaps, pinched seams and slightly off body lines. Even the rare US-made sheet metal requires massaging.
For a few years, I worked specifically in fixing high dollar vintage muscle cars that no one else would touch, destroyed by northeast winters and years of abuse, much like our trucks.
In the end you will have a rust free truck bed that will last you a very long time..... But you will also spend a very long time getting everything to align up, lots of trimming, fitting and refitting, welding and bending and you will still have filler in it.
Tuned
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 475
Likes: 34
From: Vermont
Well said Hail Destroyer ! After 35 + years of owning/operating an auto body shop,I have found the same,exact conditions you describe. The fit and finish throughout any repair and build will trickle down to the final painted product you see.
Always a nod of my head when I hear or see a time line of the beautiful builds on T.V. In an hour we see a finished vehicle but hear a time actually spent of 6 months,2 years or more etc,etc. So,sure , a new bed can be built if the parts are available but it is job that would entail a few weeks I would guess if you are reasonably experienced. gary
Always a nod of my head when I hear or see a time line of the beautiful builds on T.V. In an hour we see a finished vehicle but hear a time actually spent of 6 months,2 years or more etc,etc. So,sure , a new bed can be built if the parts are available but it is job that would entail a few weeks I would guess if you are reasonably experienced. gary
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
From: Fort Wayne IN
My worry would be getting everything to line up in the end.
Example: my 78 bed has had the driver side replaced but they didn't get it all welding good so it moves a little. I have the bed off and was getting ready to re weld it but my dad reminded me if I weld it in the wrong place it will make it hard to line up on the truck. So going to reinstall and get a tailgate because really don't want to have to cut my welds and redo it all if I don't get it set right the first time.
Example: my 78 bed has had the driver side replaced but they didn't get it all welding good so it moves a little. I have the bed off and was getting ready to re weld it but my dad reminded me if I weld it in the wrong place it will make it hard to line up on the truck. So going to reinstall and get a tailgate because really don't want to have to cut my welds and redo it all if I don't get it set right the first time.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
From: Florida
As everyone is saying, sheet metal never wants to be perfect out of the box. Ive had a panel or two be very close over the years, but always takes some massaging or persuasion to be perfect. This also depends on how 'perfect' the builder wants the truck to be. I have seen people use panels as they come out of the box for vehicles that were never going to be show quality, just so they didn't rot away.
However in this case,as hail destroyer said, they are trying to sell you something. They have to make it seem easy, they want your money!
If you have some time and aren't in a hurry, I don't see why you cant build a really nice new bed. But I personally have never seen one completely built with new panels.
However in this case,as hail destroyer said, they are trying to sell you something. They have to make it seem easy, they want your money!
If you have some time and aren't in a hurry, I don't see why you cant build a really nice new bed. But I personally have never seen one completely built with new panels.
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Tuned
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 352
Likes: 5
From: Elizabethtown, Ky.
I don't think LMC offers all the parts anymore, too many fitment issues from what I gathered. A guy I know that wanted me to paint his truck brought me the bed completely made out of new LMC parts. Well let me tell you there is a wrong way and a right way to build a bed and they chose the wrong way. He won't even talk to anymore and we used to be friendly. If you were going to build a bed from scratch where would you start? Let me answer, The Truck! I would bolt the bed floor to the truck as that is the foundation the rest of the bed is built from. They built this bed on a set of saw horses and welded in a rolled pan and wanted me to fix the gaps. No thanks. He came and got the bed and haven't heard from him since. Back to the beginning I don't think you can get all the parts to build a complete bed anymore.
Tuned
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 475
Likes: 34
From: Vermont
I built a 41' (I think) Ford box about 5 years ago for a customer He had one original side with everything else a reproduction including tailgate and all hardware. Really had to be absolutely on the money with EVERY dimension.... in/out/length/heighths... SQUARENESS. And an endless trial and error of fitting before final welding of that particular part.I had about 50 hours in building the thing. Grinding welds,finishing and painting. I had to really hustle on that job! gary
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