bed rust repair
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Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2009
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bed rust repair
yes this is my ne wto old ford trucks barrage of questions lol
my bed on my 78 f100 2wd long bed that I just got is ruting in the wheel arches and then just the flat bottom center of the bed floor .
I saw the patch panels on LMC but I was not sure if there was a better route that you folks have found or the quality of teh LMC panels
is it easier , cheaper and better to find a used bed in better shape or are beds in good shape rarer than lips on a bird ?
please let me know what you guys have found to be the best route
my bed on my 78 f100 2wd long bed that I just got is ruting in the wheel arches and then just the flat bottom center of the bed floor .
I saw the patch panels on LMC but I was not sure if there was a better route that you folks have found or the quality of teh LMC panels
is it easier , cheaper and better to find a used bed in better shape or are beds in good shape rarer than lips on a bird ?
please let me know what you guys have found to be the best route
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 746
Likes: 1
From: Minnesota
Welcome to FTE. For me it was real difficult to find a good box. Welding in patch panels is not that difficult, however, I as well as most of the guys here would encourage you to support the sponsors of this forum, prior to turning to LMC. Post some pics and I am sure you will get some great advice and replies.
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Junior User
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 87
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From: South Berwick, Maine
At one time you could order a new bed floor and headboard from Ford, I know because I did it in the late '80s early '90s. Maybe numberdummy can scout you up one. nothing fits as good as real Ford parts. repops are getting better
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 868
Likes: 3
From: New Glasgow, Nova Scotia
Diesel Brad is right there, if you can afford it , then replacement panel are the way to go. They are $330/ side here in Canada for good quality panels. Panel bonding (gluing) the panels on is now the best , strongest and fastest way of replacing a side panel. Once you do it this way once you will never weld a panel on again plus it's as simple as follow the instruction and make sure you have about 12 pairs of vise grips or clamps. Good luck and welcome to the site.
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Moderator & parts slinger
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: S/W Missouri, Polk county
Food for thought??
I agree with the last 2 statements, if you can afford it, just change the whole bed side. The dentside and race track molding can be fun, if it applies to your truck.
Also a great time to do the rear, inner fenderwell modification to prevent mud/moisture getting trapped inbetween the inner/outer walls.
Do a forum search to get the low down on it, cool mod idea I read about on here. Also maybe time to go to the duel tank route, buy your double flap, gas cap side.
Also a great time to do the rear, inner fenderwell modification to prevent mud/moisture getting trapped inbetween the inner/outer walls.
Do a forum search to get the low down on it, cool mod idea I read about on here. Also maybe time to go to the duel tank route, buy your double flap, gas cap side.
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Fleet Owner
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 21,437
Likes: 75
From: Gilbert, PA
O you can go w the replace the whole bed route like i am doing, if you have nothing left to put sides on. This bed and cab came from New Mexico
<a href="http://s108.photobucket.com/albums/n29/diesel_brad/?action=view¤t=000_0533.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n29/diesel_brad/000_0533.jpg" border="0" alt="79 f150"></a>
Almost no rust. Best thing to start w. It still need body work but what i like is that it will all be genuine ford
<a href="http://s108.photobucket.com/albums/n29/diesel_brad/?action=view¤t=000_0533.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n29/diesel_brad/000_0533.jpg" border="0" alt="79 f150"></a>
Almost no rust. Best thing to start w. It still need body work but what i like is that it will all be genuine ford
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Freshman User
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Diesel Brad is right there, if you can afford it , then replacement panel are the way to go. They are $330/ side here in Canada for good quality panels. Panel bonding (gluing) the panels on is now the best , strongest and fastest way of replacing a side panel. Once you do it this way once you will never weld a panel on again plus it's as simple as follow the instruction and make sure you have about 12 pairs of vise grips or clamps. Good luck and welcome to the site.
never heard of the panel bonding and I am curious .. after teh panel is " bonded in place what tis the paint prep that takes place ... do you grind smooth .. do your use self ecth primer ... does make teh primer and paint lift over time ?
hmmm I am very curious
Fleet Owner
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 21,437
Likes: 75
From: Gilbert, PA
1 Grind down to bare metal, where the two panel meet.
2 Put the panel adhesive over the bare metal.
3 Put panel on and clamp together for at least 8 hours.
4 If you did it right , there will be no visible adhesive, if not just sand any
"extra" off and prep as you normally would.
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Freshman User
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so does it require an overlapping joint or is it a butt joint where the two panels meet ?
or... is it that you just apply the bonding agent to the edges that touch --
I was imagining that they were bonded kinda like dry wall work float and tape the joint type thing
I have a family member that works for 3M so I can get a discount on the bonding agent- so I am rather interested in the process and longevity of the application on a real world truck
or... is it that you just apply the bonding agent to the edges that touch --
I was imagining that they were bonded kinda like dry wall work float and tape the joint type thing
I have a family member that works for 3M so I can get a discount on the bonding agent- so I am rather interested in the process and longevity of the application on a real world truck
Fleet Owner
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 21,437
Likes: 75
From: Gilbert, PA
so does it require an overlapping joint or is it a butt joint where the two panels meet ?
or... is it that you just apply the bonding agent to the edges that touch --
I was imagining that they were bonded kinda like dry wall work float and tape the joint type thing
I have a family member that works for 3M so I can get a discount on the bonding agent- so I am rather interested in the process and longevity of the application on a real world truck
or... is it that you just apply the bonding agent to the edges that touch --
I was imagining that they were bonded kinda like dry wall work float and tape the joint type thing
I have a family member that works for 3M so I can get a discount on the bonding agent- so I am rather interested in the process and longevity of the application on a real world truck
Fleet Owner
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 21,437
Likes: 75
From: Gilbert, PA
1 Grind down to bare metal, where the two panel meet.
<a href="http://s108.photobucket.com/albums/n29/diesel_brad/?action=view¤t=000_0600.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n29/diesel_brad/000_0600.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
2 Put the panel adhesive over the bare metal.
<a href="http://s108.photobucket.com/albums/n29/diesel_brad/?action=view¤t=000_0601.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n29/diesel_brad/000_0601.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
3 Put panel on and clamp together for at least 8 hours.
<a href="http://s108.photobucket.com/albums/n29/diesel_brad/?action=view¤t=000_0602.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n29/diesel_brad/000_0602.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
4 If you did it right , there will be no visible adhesive, if not just sand any
"extra" off and prep as you normally would.
<a href="http://s108.photobucket.com/albums/n29/diesel_brad/?action=view¤t=000_0600.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n29/diesel_brad/000_0600.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
2 Put the panel adhesive over the bare metal.
<a href="http://s108.photobucket.com/albums/n29/diesel_brad/?action=view¤t=000_0601.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n29/diesel_brad/000_0601.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
3 Put panel on and clamp together for at least 8 hours.
<a href="http://s108.photobucket.com/albums/n29/diesel_brad/?action=view¤t=000_0602.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n29/diesel_brad/000_0602.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
4 If you did it right , there will be no visible adhesive, if not just sand any
"extra" off and prep as you normally would.
OK Class? Now it is time for milk and cookies then nap time