Major bed rust!!!!
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Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2006
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Major bed rust!!!!
Hello all. I am glad I found this place so I can learn all I can. I have a 1979 F250 supercab. The only area on the truck that has a problem with rust is the entire bed! What have some of y'all done to fix this? I was thinking that my best bet would be to try and find a good condition bed at a junk yard and put it on. Any suggestions?
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Joined: Apr 2004
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Rust was a big problem with these trucks, especially on the beds. It seems like the first spot they rust out is over the rear wheel wells. Your best bet would be to try to replace your trucks' bed rather than trying to patch it back together if there is alot of rust on it. Good used beds for these trucks are getting scarce, though, and they are fairly pricey when you do find a nice one.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Not as far west as I want
I ended up and built a flatbed for my 1979. One of the fixes dad did to it (About 14 years ago) on the bed was cut out the rusted out part of the floor and weld in some sheet metal (between the wheel wells) the whole 8 foot. We hauled it off for scrap.
I searched for a long time, toyed with the idea of a bed from something newer, up to 1996. Finally went with a flatbed.
I searched for a long time, toyed with the idea of a bed from something newer, up to 1996. Finally went with a flatbed.
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Freshman User
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I know the bed is going to have to be replaced. Anyone ever order the replacement bed panels from LMC? The flat bed thing was an Idea I was toying around with as well.
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Don 
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: San Antonio, TX
Seeing as you are in TX, you shouldn't have much trouble finding a decent repairable bed at a junkyard. I'm in San Antonio and I have seen a few beds with only surface rust or small dings and dents. There are maybe ten of our Fords (73-79) between the two junkyards I frequent and probably half of those could be usable with a little work.
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For what it's worth, I know of a fabricator in Adrian, MI who builds flatbeds. His latest ad showed a 10' dumping flatbed with the receiver hitch, the gooseneck ball, cylinder & pump for $950. No cab protector, but I still think that's a pretty good price for what you get. Of course, you guys in Tx would probably pay more than that just to ship one down there...
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Not as far west as I want
Woodman79. $950 is a good price with the price of steel the way it is now. I believe that stepsides were a factury option back then. Enough cutting and welding you can make anything fit. A stepside from a 1992 up might look fairly sharp.