The cross rails on the bottom of my bed have been overcome by rust. I've seen replacement kits for new rails, but I'm thinking that my best option might just be to find a replacement bed. I'm worried that there won't be enough good metal to weld replacement cross-rails to my existing bed.

Does anyone have experience either replacing the rails or suggestions on where to find a replacement bed? A year or so ago, I saw a link for someone in Pennsylvania who was selling Ford beds, but I can't seem to find it now. I think that it was on Facebook marketplace?

 

I would replace the bed myself...
You could try Craigslist. There are lots of people selling new take-offs or southern boxes out there.

 

The bed rail replacement is no walk in the park, especially if your front and back rails need to be replaced (not sold in those sets). There have been some threads on doing it on here, take a look at it and see if you want to deal with it.

I just went through this a few months ago with my new to me 2002 f350, I ended up finding a southern bed on FB marketplace off an 06 f350 with the same colors. The seller even had a lift and helped me install it.

CL is dead in my area, not much but scams.

While you have the bed off clean up the frame and derust it and paint it.

Found these guys in NJ in a quick search: https://m.facebook.com/hendersonstruckparts

 

I called a place in Pennsylvania that I found on craigslist today. It sounds like they've got several beds, but the price is astronomical; just shy of $3k!! The search continues...

 

This may be the place you are looking for in PA.
https://www.eastcoastpowerstroke.com/

they have an ad in Albany craigslist for the boxes $2050.00,

https://albany.craigslist.org/ptd/d/...937666377.html

 

There brand new takeoffs here in the ohienix clist or inland empire of Ca...Brand new 19' takeoff for 1295.00 just as an example.

 

 

Call around Denver. I see them for $1k or less often. Vehicles don’t really rust here.