Need replacement bed (or parts)

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Jul 17, 2020 | 06:47 PM

HeavyDinSC

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Need replacement bed (or parts)

Guys, I'm looking for a used, not too dented or rusty bed for my 78 F100. It's a long bed, so 8 feet. I've got substantial rust on the front panel, right-side panel and the floor. Body guy says don't patch, too expensive when it's all done. LMC Truck actually sells the parts I need, but I was hoping to find a junked bed somewhere and I thought I'd start here. Whatever I find I'd have to ship to South Cakalaki (Carolina). Thanks for any tips.

Jul 17, 2020 | 08:01 PM

John89

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Jul 2017

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From: East Texas

It is impossible to find a short bed box around here, so my son and I got one of these from Summit for 129.99 + tax and FREE shipping. I can only find the RH side, so we are going to see if it will work to flip it upside down and use 2 RH sides when it gets cool enough outside to cut it down for a short bed. See if Summit has the pieces you need to piece together your bed and hopefully still get free shipping. I know patch panels are available from several suppliers, but this was the best deal out there on bed floors.

We also have these for the bed sides when we start on the bed. (this Fall hopefully)

Jul 17, 2020 | 09:42 PM

72rtchallenger

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Jul 2017

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From: KY

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeavyDinSC

Some options,,,, a bed off a ford truck up to 94 I think , the inner bed floor and inner sides are all the same , I bought a 92 and repaired my bed floor , its a bit of work but if I can do it anyone can , also the front panel is the same ,,outside quarters are the only thing difference and those can be repaired or replaced if you cant find another bed ,, you can see my work on my build page if you choose to go this route

Jul 18, 2020 | 08:41 AM

HeavyDinSC

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Thanks guys.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 72rtchallenger

72rtchallenger and John89, thanks for those suggestions. I didn't know beds as new as '94 would work. I thought the styling changed at '79. I'll check out those options.

Jul 18, 2020 | 09:45 AM

caravaggio2000

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The inner bed parts will work, not the outer parts.

Jul 18, 2020 | 10:01 AM

meangreen92

Logistics Pro

Joined: Jul 2005

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Yep, an '80-'96 bed is the same other than the outer quarter panel skins, so you can transfer the Dentside quarter skins to the newer bed structure. You can also shop for the newer bed with damage to the outer quarter skins and get what you need for super cheap.

Jul 18, 2020 | 06:47 PM

72rtchallenger

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Jul 2017

Posts: 1,276

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From: KY

Also the outer rear post were tail gate latches is some what different , but if you find a good bed as stated you can make a very nice bed for yourself , I bought a 92 truck and removed the floor and added my old floor to the 92 , but it was covered by a bed liner , I ended up getting almost all my money back when I sold the 92 as it was a running truck but I was forth coming about the work done ,,shop around and you can get a decent bed off the 90's model truck and look for one thats had a bed liner for its lifetime as this protects the floor , I had small issues to repair off the 92 floor but was nothing compared to my rusty 79 floor ,,I would recommend using the cross-member braces off your original if possible as there better grade of metal , little more work but there heaver gauge of metal , good luck with the project