1978 ford bed/80's ford bed PLEASE HELP!

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Mar 29, 2004 | 09:28 PM

1978fordf250

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1978 ford bed/80's ford bed PLEASE HELP!

Hey guys! I got a 1978 ford f-250 and right now it has a 1989 ford truck bed on it. I got a set of 1978 bedsides that are rust free and i was wondering can i drill out all the spotwelds on the 80's style sides and put the 78's style sides on my truck and weld them int place? Will it work? I heard that it will work but wasn't 100% positive. The bed inside looks the same (besides the bedsides itself). Please Let me know what you guys think.
thanks,
Jimmy
PS Then i will need the older stlye tailgate. (I am going to try to figureout a way to make the 78's style tailgate work on the 80's bed and be removable liek how the 80's tailgate is.
Please let me know what you guys think! Also the bed is already mounted to the truck so yeah the bed fits the truck itself.

Oh yeah i almost forgot totell you guys. The fillerneck both beds are single tank and also the fillerneck i already know how to make that work. I just want to will the body lines match up or not? And I can make this work pretty good with the newer bed with older sides.
thanks,
Jimmy

Mar 29, 2004 | 10:34 PM

kaotikedge_111100

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Joined: Oct 2002

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From: La Crosse, WI

I have heard that they are the same on the insides. I can't answer your question and be 100% sure if I am right so I won't say one way or the other. But I have heard of guys doing it, someone will chime in i'm sure.

I know of a guy that gets them from mexico, he usually charges between 600-1200 for them depending on trim levels and how many gas fillers there are, not to mention how 'little' rust they have on them too. If U want his phone number you'll have to email me, his name is "crazy eddie" and he likes to talk. I don't like him, just know he can get the shortbeds and has plenty of the longbeds for like $400.

Mar 29, 2004 | 11:28 PM

LxMan1

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From: Louisville,Ky.

I know that the stake holes are spaced the same. I put factory 89 bedrails on my 77 and they bolted right up.

Mar 30, 2004 | 09:37 AM

1978fordf250

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Well i got already a good 80's style bed on my truck thats bolted down and fits. I got the older bedsides also now that are in mint condition. I was just thinking about combinding the older style bedsides withthe newer bed (heard it can be done) and then i would have a completely good nice and solid bed that was pretty cheap.
Please hlet me know.
thanks,
jimmy

Mar 30, 2004 | 10:21 AM

BillF250P

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From: Barneyville USA

The Bed floor, inner bed sides, and the front panel are the same '73 thru '95. They changed with the jelly-bean body style in '96. The bed sides will fit. I just got done welding one together last month. You'll have to change the tailgate, though. I think you can put the '89 hinge and latch assemblies on it to make the gate removable, but I'm not sure on that. Let us know how you make out.
Bill

If'n it ain't broke, just give me time...

Mar 30, 2004 | 11:33 PM

ibleedfordblue

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From: ALASKA

are you serious because up here in alaska you cant find any older beds and dont even think about shipping one up. very expensive. if this trick works i will have to try it.

Mar 31, 2004 | 05:27 AM

1978fordf250

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Ok since you have done this just a short time ago is their any tips you can give me on what to do?
thanks,
Jimmy
PS I really apriciate all your time helping me out!

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Mar 31, 2004 | 08:15 AM

BillF250P

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From: Barneyville USA

It's not an easy job- if you can't do it yourself, it wouldn't be cost effective to have a shop do it, thats for sure. There's about 80 spot welds on each side. I cut the old sides on the top, just short of where they're welded to the inner panels. This makes it easier to get at the spot welds on the inside of the bed sides. There are about 16-18 welds holding the side panel to the front. 10-12 more hold the wheel opening to the inner wheel house. Some guys leave the inner wheelhouse off because it's a place for rust to start, but I think it makes the whole side stronger if you put it in. Eleven more welds hold the inner wheelhouse to the inner fender. The rear is critical- it's where the tailgate lives, and it should be straight. The side has 3-4 welds on the rear crossmember gusset, and about 16-18 more on the inside edge. Getting it all off and leaving yourself something to work with is the hardest part of the job. Welding it back on is a piece of cake.

Bill.....

Mar 31, 2004 | 08:26 AM

#10

GLR

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From: NY and VA

I ran across a guy at a body shop in NY that has put 67-72, and 73-79 sides on a 87-96, or even 80-86 inside. He said the front of the bed, and the rear posts are the same, tailgate latches can be changed. I have a 92 bed on my 79, a friend put a 2000 SD bed on his 73 4x4, that takes a little getting used to, of course so does the 3 cyl diesel he put in the truck.

Mar 31, 2004 | 08:13 PM

#11

1978fordf250

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Hey iw as wondering once i get my old bedsides cut off how do i make sure my new ones im puttign on are aligned?
thanks,
Jimmy
PS Is here any tips/guidelines u can help me with to put them on? thanks again!

Apr 1, 2004 | 02:23 PM

#12

1978fordf250

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Yeha all i want to do is make the bodylines on th bed match up pretty close to the ones on my cab. (my cab is in excelant condition). So inorder to get this do i just take the very top of the bedside and align it with the top of the bedrail and weld the spotweld holes shut and do the same along the back where the tailgate goes? How about the front how can i make sure the front bottom corners of the bed is aligned and not pulled in or out to far?
thanks,
jimmy
PS This will be the firsttime welding bedsides on for me so id liek to get as much/many tips as possable. (my friend will help me and he does autobody so it shouldn't be bad.
thans again!

Apr 4, 2004 | 10:01 AM

#13

1978fordf250

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Well guys i go the passengerside bedside cut off (good deal of work but i mamaged) then i cleaned everything up and put the 78 bedside on it and it seems to fit like a glove. The only thing i gotta do is at the veryback at the bottom the 80's bed was squarer then the 78 bed so i gotta grind the 80's bed a little bit to let the 78 bedside slide into place (only needs ground 1/8 of a inch).
thanks for the help guys!
Jimmy
PS Ill keep you posted as I progress.