Notices
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Dentsides Ford Truck
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Moser

bed bolt differences

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 12, 2008 | 11:50 PM
  #1  
brentleedragon's Avatar
brentleedragon
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 947
Likes: 0
From: Spokane, Washington
bed bolt differences

Alright anyhow, I need to replace my bed on my 79 2wd it is a long bed dual tank, but like I said it is 2wd, I found a nice donor from a 4wd long bed dual tank, it's a 78 f250. I know those years are ok, and that the long bed part blah blah, doesnt matter if it is a 150/250 but my question is I know the frame's are more narrow on the 4x4's than they are on the 4x2's , is that only in the front? and would I be ok for the bolts to line up and have it all be ok?

next question, do all the beds from 73 to 79 line up the same? I can not remember.
 
Reply
Old Oct 13, 2008 | 06:48 AM
  #2  
tatonka04's Avatar
tatonka04
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 300
Likes: 0
The 78 4X bed should be the same thing as the 79 bed on yours. 73 thru 79 beds are interchangeable. The only differences are that the 73 thru 77.5 F250 bed bolt holes won't line up on the 73 thru 79 F100/F150s, or 78/79 F100/F150/F250/F350.The only other exception I can think of is I think they call it the Camper Special? These had the crazy looking long wheelbase to accomodate the spare tire and of course a slide in camper.
The reason I know this is because I just put a 73 F100 bed on my 75 F250. It fits and looks good, but the bed bolt holes don't line up because of the narrower frame of the 3/4 ton. Hope that helps.
 
Reply
Old Oct 13, 2008 | 12:30 PM
  #3  
brentleedragon's Avatar
brentleedragon
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 947
Likes: 0
From: Spokane, Washington
helps a lot, thank you
 
Reply
Old Oct 13, 2008 | 01:06 PM
  #4  
tatonka04's Avatar
tatonka04
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 300
Likes: 0
No problemo! Just glad I could help.
 
Reply
Old Oct 13, 2008 | 01:10 PM
  #5  
brentleedragon's Avatar
brentleedragon
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 947
Likes: 0
From: Spokane, Washington
Yes sir, now to go pick up the bed tomorrow when the banks reopen so I can deposit my pay check.
 
Reply
Old Mar 5, 2010 | 05:27 PM
  #6  
AgFord's Avatar
AgFord
New User
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Southwest Ohio
I know this is an old thread but tatonka04 I am curious how you modified the bed to fit. I am having the same problem. Trying to put a bed on my 75 F-250 the bed holes are wider than the frame. Any help would be appreciated.
 
Reply
Old Mar 5, 2010 | 05:43 PM
  #7  
starmilt's Avatar
starmilt
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 10,501
Likes: 5
From: Faibanks Ak.
The neatest way I have seen it done,is to cut some square tubing that is the right size to hold the bed bolts. Now drill the holes just big enough for the tubing to fit and weld it and grind it flush, You dont have to weld it on top the bolt head covers it and it can't go anywhere.
 
Reply

Trending Topics

Old Mar 6, 2010 | 12:28 AM
  #8  
Riderman's Avatar
Riderman
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 668
Likes: 2
Originally Posted by AgFord
I know this is an old thread but tatonka04 I am curious how you modified the bed to fit. I am having the same problem. Trying to put a bed on my 75 F-250 the bed holes are wider than the frame. Any help would be appreciated.
An Ugly but easy way to bolt the bed down is to creat new square holes for the bed bolts in the bed floor with a chisel. Take about a 3/4 to 1 inch chisel and grind the sides down to about a 1/4" square point. This makes a nice square punch for sheetmetal. Drive the chisel with a hammer into the bed floor at the correct frame hole position. Problem is, ya still have the original holes in the bed floor. This works, I have done it several times for these narrow F250 frames. If your worried about the original holes in the bed floor being seen, a bed liner covers them well.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-3

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
Old Mar 6, 2010 | 07:32 AM
  #9  
tatonka04's Avatar
tatonka04
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 300
Likes: 0
I just squared the bed on the frame, measured 5 times for the holes and just drilled new holes and put regular hexagonal bolts in them. I haven't plugged the old holes yet, but as Riderman said, bedliner covers them up, either spray in, rolled or slide in. I hated having to do it, but I got tired of trying to find another pre-78 3/4 ton bed. Hope that helps.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
PRIMERED79 SHORT BED
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
10
Dec 25, 2015 07:27 PM
red450ih
1967 - 1972 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
9
Mar 8, 2015 04:33 PM
GM4WALLS
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
4
Feb 14, 2015 07:14 PM
swampthang
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
5
Jun 21, 2014 04:41 PM
norfolknova
1961 - 1966 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
1
Mar 18, 2014 04:25 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:54 PM.

story-0
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:01:55


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-2
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-7
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE