So I got my 98 F-250LD with a shot bed. Literally being held on by ratchet straps.

How difficult is it to replace the bed? And could it be done by hand without the use of a machine to take the old one off and put a new one on? From reading through the forum, I found copart, which seems like it could be a cheap option to get a new bed and any other parts I would need.

Question is, would it be better to just try to find a whole truck on copart, take what I need and then scrap the rest to make some money back, or do I just go the wooden bed route and build what I want, how I want...? Thoughts?

 

I doubt you could find a new complete bed, only body panels. I'd start with local junkyards to see if they ever get trucks in that have beds in descent shape.

 

the bed weights a few hundred pounds... I have removed a couple by parking under a rafter in the barn and using two comealongs at opposite corners, and two 3/8 rope that the other two corners to stabilize.. You raise it up a foot, then drive out from under it.......... I have heard 4-5 guys can pickup a bed and remove also... I was working alone.

They bed should have 6 bolts thru the floor into the truck frame... remove them... helps to have to rear bumper off to slide bed back away from the cab so you don't ding it up..... Take off the gas filler cap and loosen the hose, and disconnect tail lite wires.. That's about it

 

I've unbolted and removed 4 beds by now, it's not a problem if rust isn't an issue. If rusted fasteners IS a problem, and you're going to throw rusted bed off at scrapyard, might as well use a 4" side grinder and cut the heads off from inside bed rather than try from under and get sliver in your eye past safety glasses. tons of video on youtube showing easy step by step. I guess depends where you're at. Down here with no rust and plenty of used trucks, I'm sure I could find a nice one via craigslist for 5-700 depending what I wanted to pay and how long I could wait. Might luck up and snag one for $400 or so around here with a lot of haggling and a lot of dry well shopping first. If you have an engine hoist, that can be used. or tree with chain winch or something.

 

What they said ^^^^^^

. . . and: I've seen folks jack the bed up in small increments while adding boards between the frame and bed, then when it is high enough use sawhorses and a couple of long boards to support it while they drive the truck out.

If it's rotted that bad, you might want to cut it up first. That will make it easier to take to the scrapper in your new bed.

 

Take the bolts out, slide it back a couple inches and C-CLAMP it to the frame... or a couple all threads... DRIVE to the scrapper and have them lift it off........ That's how I got a new bed... had them set it in place and CLAMPED down to drive home.

 

Now there's a perfect example of how to delegate.

 

Great idea!