Bed Swap

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Jul 20, 2007 | 08:49 PM

emgee

Thread Starter

Tuned

Joined: Aug 2004

Posts: 399

Likes: 1

From: Winnipeg Canada

Bed Swap

I have a line on a short bed from a '91 extended cab to replace my '80 short bed. Will it bolt onto my swiss cheese frame fairly easily? The plan would be to change the wheel openings to the '80-'86 style. I'm thinking of this because finding a decent '80-'86 bed here is slim and mine is toast.

Jul 20, 2007 | 09:36 PM

JohnT

Posting Guru

Joined: Apr 2004

Posts: 1,240

Likes: 2

It should bolt right up. The beds were pretty much the same from 1980-1996, except for that the wheel openings are different on the 87-96 models, and the tailgates are different as well.

Jul 20, 2007 | 10:11 PM

hoxiii

Postmaster

Joined: Jul 2003

Posts: 2,711

Likes: 2

From: Pittsburgh

the body lines are also a little different, but most people won't even notice the wrong wheel wells if you decide to leave it alone.

Justin

Jul 21, 2007 | 12:46 AM

Dustin1690

Post Fiend

Joined: Apr 2006

Posts: 12,281

Likes: 1

From: Saskatoon Saskatchewan

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnT

It should bolt right up. The beds were pretty much the same from 1980-1996, except for that the wheel openings are different on the 87-96 models, and the tailgates are different as well.

Not trying to be a jerk but the tail lights where different im sure as well

Jul 21, 2007 | 07:58 AM

Powerstroker_18

Senior User

Joined: Nov 2005

Posts: 101

Likes: 0

From: Monroe City, IN

The tail lights will interchange between 80-96

Jul 21, 2007 | 10:08 AM

JohnT

Posting Guru

Joined: Apr 2004

Posts: 1,240

Likes: 2

The tail lights will interchange, but the 80-86 tail lights are different than those used from 87-96.

Jul 22, 2007 | 03:19 PM

emgee

Thread Starter

Tuned

Joined: Aug 2004

Posts: 399

Likes: 1

From: Winnipeg Canada

I know the tailights are different but will fit acceptably (I have a set on my '80 box now, they don't line up exactly). I want to keep the side sheet metal '80-'86 look but I like the newer, smooth tailgate and tail lights. It looks like the middle bolt on the '91 bed near the wheel house where the fuel lines run could be tough. I noticed that the rear set of carriage bolts are in a lozenge shaped shaft whereas the other 4 have the usual square hole which cannot hold sometime when you're trying to take off the nut.Will be taking this bed off this week.