Need Help Shopping For a Bed
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 154
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From: USA
Need Help Shopping For a Bed
Hi Guys,
I've finally decided to replace the bed on my truck rather then repairing it because I think I'll get out of it cheaper. I've been looking in my local want ads for a bed but have a few questions. I have a 77' F-250, long-bed, with 4WD. The truck has the narrow frame rails and the gas tank behind the seat. Did Ford have diffent beds for different trucks or was every 73-79 bed the same? Do I have to find a donor truck that has the same set up as mine (gas tank, frame rails etc.)? If so, where should I be measuring so be sure a prospective bed will fit my truck? Any help is appreciated. Thanks.
Also, if anyone lives in Mass and has a bed for sale let me know.
Brendan
1977 Ford F-250 4x4
351M / 4 Speed
33" BFG Tires
www.angelfire.com/ma4/1977fordf250
I've finally decided to replace the bed on my truck rather then repairing it because I think I'll get out of it cheaper. I've been looking in my local want ads for a bed but have a few questions. I have a 77' F-250, long-bed, with 4WD. The truck has the narrow frame rails and the gas tank behind the seat. Did Ford have diffent beds for different trucks or was every 73-79 bed the same? Do I have to find a donor truck that has the same set up as mine (gas tank, frame rails etc.)? If so, where should I be measuring so be sure a prospective bed will fit my truck? Any help is appreciated. Thanks.
Also, if anyone lives in Mass and has a bed for sale let me know.
Brendan
1977 Ford F-250 4x4
351M / 4 Speed
33" BFG Tires
www.angelfire.com/ma4/1977fordf250
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 2,838
Likes: 6
From: SD
Need Help Shopping For a Bed
You have a few options. All the 73-79 beds interchange and have the same bodylines. But there are subtle differences.
The frame width doesn't matter, just drill new holes. (as far as I know)
73-79 beds are all the same except for the fuel doors. 73-76 have no door, just a cap on the side of the bed. My 73 really bothers me, the gas nozzle won't stay in by itself (not good when the windchills are below 0) and fuel runs down the side of the bed as I'm filling - no matter what I do. 77-79 have doors, it looks cleaner, is easier to fill, and no spills so your shoes stay dry. That's why I'm putting a 78 bed on my 73.
You just need to decide what you want, and what's available.
The bed on your truck looks great (in the pics anyway...), are you sure you can't just fix it?
Just a thought...
Marty
The frame width doesn't matter, just drill new holes. (as far as I know)
73-79 beds are all the same except for the fuel doors. 73-76 have no door, just a cap on the side of the bed. My 73 really bothers me, the gas nozzle won't stay in by itself (not good when the windchills are below 0) and fuel runs down the side of the bed as I'm filling - no matter what I do. 77-79 have doors, it looks cleaner, is easier to fill, and no spills so your shoes stay dry. That's why I'm putting a 78 bed on my 73.
You just need to decide what you want, and what's available.
The bed on your truck looks great (in the pics anyway...), are you sure you can't just fix it?
Just a thought...
Marty
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 154
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From: USA
Need Help Shopping For a Bed
I agree, the bed does look good in the photos, but I think the newer paint throws you off. The passenger side wheel well is all rotted and seperating, and where the bed wall meets the floor is cracked the whole length of the truck on both sides. Also the floor is rotted out. Its already been patched several times in different places by previous owners. I can't see it being patched again. Sometimes I think the only thing holding it together is the bedliner. I came very close to getting a bed of a '78 for $100. It had no rot and no dents, just a few scratches. The guy that was welding my bed (again!) told me that it was at a local junk yard. I rushed over there but when i got there the whole truck was about 18" tall. It had already met the crusher. It was kind of disappointing. It's very rare to see any older trucks in the junk yards around here. He only kept it in the yard for 3 days.
Brendan
Brendan
