Bed Repair
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From: IL
Bed Repair
So I thought I'd post some pictures of what I did over the weekend. The bed on my 03 was so rusted, if I'd had try to carry anything it probably would have fallen through. I knew the bed had issues, but there was an 8' sheet of plywood in the bed and I never really lifted it up to see how bad the bed really was until I was staring at the truck a few weeks ago and I asked my son, "are my eyes playing tricks or is the bed of the truck falling in the front?"
I am farther along than these pic show, but I stopped work on it for a few days to recoup. It was a hard nasty hot job that got plenty of cuts and scrapes, and I'll never do it again. I know the beds are really expensive to buy anywhere from $1500 - $3000 but if I had spent the money I'd have been done in a day instead of 3 days and it's still not bolted down.
That's not me in the truck, it's one of my son's friends helping me out.
The fender humps had to be cut out also we inserted the blue box into the open shell.
I am farther along than these pic show, but I stopped work on it for a few days to recoup. It was a hard nasty hot job that got plenty of cuts and scrapes, and I'll never do it again. I know the beds are really expensive to buy anywhere from $1500 - $3000 but if I had spent the money I'd have been done in a day instead of 3 days and it's still not bolted down.
That's not me in the truck, it's one of my son's friends helping me out.
The fender humps had to be cut out also we inserted the blue box into the open shell.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: IL
Sheet metal wise, the bottoms of the doors inside and outside are toast, needs new doors, rocker panels and cab corners are toast. believe it or not the floors and rest of the truck is solid.
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From: IL
At 135K the truck still has a lot of life left in it. Why would I want to sell it or junk it just because it needs a little work? Granted, I probably picked the wrong path to take on this repair, but I got it finished with help from my son and his friends, and the best part about it is the whole repair only cost me about $300 so far That's buying a crashed up bed, hardware, welding materials cutting disks and food to feed the troops. The next big expense is to buy some sort of spray or roll on liner for the inside of the bed.
My motto used to be "It's just metal, cut it and weld it." but it's getting a little harder as I get older...LOL
My motto used to be "It's just metal, cut it and weld it." but it's getting a little harder as I get older...LOL
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Interesting thanks. I have a hole on the side of the bed and the crossmembers are pretty much gone. So I'll be going through the same exercise dreadfully.
Funny thing is the rest of the bed, the frame itself, suspension components and cab are relatively rust free or just have surface rust.
Wonder if the plastic bedliner contributed to the rot.
Funny thing is the rest of the bed, the frame itself, suspension components and cab are relatively rust free or just have surface rust.
Wonder if the plastic bedliner contributed to the rot.
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At 135K the truck still has a lot of life left in it. Why would I want to sell it or junk it just because it needs a little work? Granted, I probably picked the wrong path to take on this repair, but I got it finished with help from my son and his friends, and the best part about it is the whole repair only cost me about $300 so far That's buying a crashed up bed, hardware, welding materials cutting disks and food to feed the troops. The next big expense is to buy some sort of spray or roll on liner for the inside of the bed.
My motto used to be "It's just metal, cut it and weld it." but it's getting a little harder as I get older...LOL
My motto used to be "It's just metal, cut it and weld it." but it's getting a little harder as I get older...LOL
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Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: IL
Interesting thanks. I have a hole on the side of the bed and the crossmembers are pretty much gone. So I'll be going through the same exercise dreadfully.
Funny thing is the rest of the bed, the frame itself, suspension components and cab are relatively rust free or just have surface rust.
Wonder if the plastic bedliner contributed to the rot.
Funny thing is the rest of the bed, the frame itself, suspension components and cab are relatively rust free or just have surface rust.
Wonder if the plastic bedliner contributed to the rot.
Yes the plastic liner did contribute to the rusting out., the dirt and water get trapped in there and can't get out, Midwest salted roads don't help and if you're not getting a power washer or spray hose under it to get all the salt off, these beds and cabs rust quick.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: IL
Mine doesn't have holes but it is pretty beat up. I was considering this as it is relatively inexpensive and seems to get some pretty good reviews. I know most people prefer the Por 15 route however.
https://www.amazon.com/Linerxtreeme-...R473QF18BKZPQJ
https://www.amazon.com/Linerxtreeme-...R473QF18BKZPQJ
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