just got done tearing down the bed for my 49 and i was wondering it its going to be cheeper and better in the long run, to just build a box from scratch or redo mine... mine has rot in the bottom of both box sides almost the whole length were it breaks to meet the floor. also lots of dings dents and holes from were this bed was turned into a trailer.

i will try and get some pics now that its apart of the areas and get them on here tomorrow.

 

Are you doing a high-dollar resto or building a cheap driver? Mine was similar shape, and I had a sheet metal shop bend up 25' of 14 gage "L", which I used to replace the bottom of my sides and front. I was going to weld it but ended up just bolting it to the sides. You can hardly see it, check my gallery. Cost was $30.

 

its going to be a driver but i still want it to be good ya know... not saying yours dosnt by doing it that way cuz it did, looks great, how long has it been that way and how has it held up to the weather?

 

I bought a Mark K front bed wall.
Mines a driver but I beat on it and tried to get it back into shape. I even replaced the lower lip and primed and painted it. I put it back on the frame and it was still noticibly bowed.
I waited and I have a new front bed wall to replace it with. My sides were about the same looking as yours. I cant afford the new bed kit so IM patching mine to driver status.

 

I had a shop brake the sides and front for me using 16 gauge; less than $200.00; I re-used the front top ridge. I bought after market stake pockets. I have not done much on it lately, but some pics in my gallery. My box was badly dented, rusted at bottom. I still have it and will re-build it some day. Bought tailgate as well. Work in progress.


Tom

 

lot better shape than mine. In looking at F100 Central's bed kit for $1250.00, you can atleast try to repair it for less. That's what I plan to do....uh, er, atleast I'll try.

 

Try to fix it. Mine was in pretty bad shape too. The front was shot, so I replaced it, but the bed sides I patched. I've got a few pics in my gallery

 

I used the front panel and the bed floor from a 2005 GMC.


(the holes were from a 5th wheel hitch...they will get filled in later)

I did lose 2" of bed depth as the GMC bedfloor has its own substructure but I can live with that...it was a freebie

Bobby

 

Bobby, that looks GREAT!! You did an awesome job!!

 

Actually, it doesn't look half bad for an almost 60 year old bed. Rust can be patched, dents hammered out and you're saving something old from the dump. Fix it!

 

[QUOTE=bobbytnm]I used the front panel and the bed floor from a 2005 GMC.


(the holes were from a 5th wheel hitch...they will get filled in later)

I did lose 2" of bed depth as the GMC bedfloor has its own substructure but I can live with that...it was a freebie

Bobby[/QUOTE

Well, I'm really disappointed that you went and used a GMC bed floor in your Ford are you sure you couldn't find a freebee Ford floor . GM in a Ford phooy,lol Does look good though