Hey everyone, I'm brand new here so I hope you can be patient with my questions. I have a 77 f250 ranger 2wd with a 400m. I'm trying to restore it, and first on the list is a new bed (it's currently a flat bed). I have found a local bed for sale for 50 bucks, which is SWEET but it's from a 71. I need to know if it will fit my truck and be flush with the sides of the truck and all that jazz. If anyone could give me any info it would be extremely appreciated.

 

1971 is from another era. It is entirely different.

You want a bed from a 1973/79.

$50 bed = Swiss cheese.

 

Welcome to FTE! As for your question, your truck is a "Dentside", so called because the body side contour at the "beltline" "dents inward along the trucks side. The "71 box, however is a "bumpside" ( body contour "bumps" outward), so if you put that box on your truck, the side contours won't match. But, having said that, you can do it if the mismatched sides don't bother you. I don't know if you have to drill new mounting holes and move/make mounts or not but I'm sure somebody on this site will tell you. As Jermafenser says though, it would probably be better to just get the right bed.

 

That answers my question to a "T" guys! Thanx to bothh of ya! I appreciate it

 

Welcome to the site twitch and thanks for asking this question...I actaully thought "Dentside" meant something else. I guess I learned something here too.
Good luck with your project!

 

welcome to FTE. i agree with bgasrickshaw. the 71 bed will fit,but body lines won't match. the engine is a 400,(not a 400"m") . the 351M-400 engines are from the 335 block family. hope you like it here at FTE. lots of helpful people and info here.

 

Welcome to FTE

You said it's a flatbed, but what fuel tank(s) does it have?

If there's only the in-cab tank, then any 73/79 pickup bed will work (as long as the wheelbase is the same).

But if it has one or two side mounted fuel tanks, flatbeds use totally different fuel filler necks and hoses.

So...if this is the case, you'll need far more than just the bed.

Whatever bed used will require the correct filler pipes and hoses.

Stylesides: 1973/76's have exposed gas caps, 1977/79's have fuel doors.