Service Bed to Regular bed swap
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Service Bed to Regular bed swap
First post, always looking like a newb.
I have a 2003 crew cab with a service bed on the back. I found a guy who is willing to trade his regular dually bed for my service bed. Other than gas tank location, am I going to run into any other problems?
This is a factory option bed and from our basic measurements the lengths should work, but am I missing anything? He lives like 200 miles away and I want to get it right the first time.
I have a 2003 crew cab with a service bed on the back. I found a guy who is willing to trade his regular dually bed for my service bed. Other than gas tank location, am I going to run into any other problems?
This is a factory option bed and from our basic measurements the lengths should work, but am I missing anything? He lives like 200 miles away and I want to get it right the first time.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Rio Rico, AZ.
First post, always looking like a newb.
I have a 2003 crew cab with a service bed on the back. I found a guy who is willing to trade his regular dually bed for my service bed. Other than gas tank location, am I going to run into any other problems?
This is a factory option bed and from our basic measurements the lengths should work, but am I missing anything? He lives like 200 miles away and I want to get it right the first time.
I have a 2003 crew cab with a service bed on the back. I found a guy who is willing to trade his regular dually bed for my service bed. Other than gas tank location, am I going to run into any other problems?
This is a factory option bed and from our basic measurements the lengths should work, but am I missing anything? He lives like 200 miles away and I want to get it right the first time.
The "smaller" trucks have a different frame than the heavier duty trucks and bed swaps require a lot of modification.
Basically the 450-550 frames are narrower and flat on the top, IIRC.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Windsor, Colorado
The main thing is whether yours came from the factory as a cab and chassis. If it did you will need to fab mounts. If yours had a bed on it prior to the service body it will bolt right up.
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It is a F350 - DRW
What would be different about the frame? I dont mind fabbing new mounts, I can do that.
I thought most beds bolted directly through the frame, as opposed to having welded on mounts, like the body.
It is not welded to the frame. It bolts to the frame using a large u-bolt on each side on the front and bolts to the top of the class V trailer hitch in the back, which I am assuming will have to go with the bed.
What would be different about the frame? I dont mind fabbing new mounts, I can do that.
I thought most beds bolted directly through the frame, as opposed to having welded on mounts, like the body.
It is not welded to the frame. It bolts to the frame using a large u-bolt on each side on the front and bolts to the top of the class V trailer hitch in the back, which I am assuming will have to go with the bed.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Windsor, Colorado
The cab and chassis uses a straight frame to make it easier to put aftermarket bodies on. Not sure what all would have to be done to put the box on one. Was yours a C&C or did it have a box on it when new??
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From: SE WI
It is a F350 - DRW
What would be different about the frame? I dont mind fabbing new mounts, I can do that.
I thought most beds bolted directly through the frame, as opposed to having welded on mounts, like the body.
It is not welded to the frame. It bolts to the frame using a large u-bolt on each side on the front and bolts to the top of the class V trailer hitch in the back, which I am assuming will have to go with the bed.
What would be different about the frame? I dont mind fabbing new mounts, I can do that.
I thought most beds bolted directly through the frame, as opposed to having welded on mounts, like the body.
It is not welded to the frame. It bolts to the frame using a large u-bolt on each side on the front and bolts to the top of the class V trailer hitch in the back, which I am assuming will have to go with the bed.
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The bed is 9' long, and looks to be flat all the way back....not good.
Does anyone have any pictures of what their standard bed frames look like? I am trying to see if it is still worth it to at least put my bed on his truck. I can make my own bed if I have to.
(if you dont have a real pic, a quick Microsoft paint rendition would still be very helpful!)
Does anyone have any pictures of what their standard bed frames look like? I am trying to see if it is still worth it to at least put my bed on his truck. I can make my own bed if I have to.
(if you dont have a real pic, a quick Microsoft paint rendition would still be very helpful!)
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Blairsville,Ga
depending on how the service body sits on the truck if the distance from back of cab to center of axle is the same the may be able to fit.With the 9' length it could require more frame on the rear
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Update, for those who might care and future searchers.
A standard bed DOES NOT bolt onto a cab chassis truck. A 9' bed, DOES NOT, bolt onto a standard bed truck.
His truck (recieving the 9' service bed) needed 1' of new frame welded onto the end and has a wider frame.
I will need to slot the rear valence on the bed, and build new, wider mounts, and redo the bumper and hitch mounts.
All-in-all, it is a pretty complicated process and not for the average mechanic. There is a lot of fabrication needed for this swap, so good luck!
Thanks for the help
A standard bed DOES NOT bolt onto a cab chassis truck. A 9' bed, DOES NOT, bolt onto a standard bed truck.
His truck (recieving the 9' service bed) needed 1' of new frame welded onto the end and has a wider frame.
I will need to slot the rear valence on the bed, and build new, wider mounts, and redo the bumper and hitch mounts.
All-in-all, it is a pretty complicated process and not for the average mechanic. There is a lot of fabrication needed for this swap, so good luck!
Thanks for the help
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