Options for beds - aftermarket, used, new, substitutions

[AuroraGirl]

So I have a truck with a long bed. Its shot. The floor is not safe or stable enough that I, weighing 115 pounds and size 11 feet, would dare walk the back bed lest I fall through or cut up my leg.
The sides actually droop downward and out, which is why there is no tailgate mounted, because its too much clearance. The metal is shot for the most part on the exterior pretty parts, I even cut out a large chunk of rusted metal to have access to the gas tank wiring and hoses without dropping the tank. The driver side doesnt even have the access port for my saddle tank, which is on drivers side(inop rusted out one on passenger, should have mounted new tank there. will eventually fix).

Eventually, its going to have to go. My fathers 75 will eventually be mine, and it has a flat bed with a dump hydraulics setup on it. Wooden, looks to be off another vehicle that he fitted when I was a kid. (2000s). I would not be opposed to flatbeds, but would like to retain an actual bed with a tailgate because this truck will eventually see road and rugged use. However, I know they had rusting out problems. Especially here in northern wisconsin.

Possibly new-manufactured beds? I see on LMC you can buy all panels except the floor(not sure how they fit together... weld?) but that is a very pricy option id not do simply because this will not be show room quality, Id just assume get a factory bed shipped cross country with no rusted out parts than make new.

Other trucks or generations or vehicles that have beds that easily transplant?

Specifically, would a 60s chevy or 90s chevy(tall tail light) transplant and not be too tacky?

And going used... any good websites? Boneyards are few, far, and light when it comes to squares around here. Sadly.

 

[shiftpro]

I think you could walk on pretty thin ice with those hobbit feet .

But ya, seek and you will find (a rust free box). I guess it's all abut location, even certain models can be prevalent in well, certain towns.
For example, if you want a 27 spline np205 don't look for one in BC. Back then everyone ordered 4x4s with the 4 speed. So go to Alberta
and bingo, they're everywhere.. 4x4 sb with auto was the popular choice for the flatlanders.
Try looking where there is more farm land. You'll have to leave your park and go south, I'm sure they're lurking.
Maybe you need a 'parts' truck'. When you land your dad's truck, you will have three of them. Life doesn't get any better than that.

Ordering the parts from LMC would probably cost the same as driving to another state where you could get a box or whole truck for $500.

I've seen shortbox squares with a gen 5 fake stepside box on, and they looked like hell to me. You don't want your truck to end up
in the Failed/wtf thread.

 

[AuroraGirl]

Thats the thing.. all my neighbors are farms and only the last 15 years there was farm pasture up to our property line and I would periodically feed cows when I was a kid. They liked long grass I would hand them. Lots of farms, for sure. But fords and 90s chevys seem to be the predominating ones for that. Any other new sources you know of? And of SB, a lot of shortbeds..... I dont need that kind of negativity in my life.

 

[DanMcG]

Here's a link to a complete bed, http://nsanehotrodz.mybigcommerce.com/1979-87-gm-truck-short-fleet-bed-kit-w-steel-floor/
but you're better off finding a used one and doing some bodywork if needed. you'll be money ahead and it will be real steel.

 

[TubeTruck]

Do you have a trailer and how far do you want to drive? I live in northern IL and will be pulling the bed off my '75. It's a long bed, passenger side tank, rotted wheel lips but the bed is solid and has a working, although clunky, tailgate. The gas tank is currently mounted in the bed because the steel straps rotted and it was held to the frame with ratchet straps, lol. There are some holes drilled in the front of the bed floor for the fuel lines but the floor is solid. You can have it if you want to come get it.

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[SDJunkMan]

Another source is that a lot of older trucks were cut down and made into trailers when they crapped out. Usually it was done with one that still had a decent bed on it. I have one myself that I use for firewood. I've seen several that were made out of an old squarebody on Craigslist, even saw a nice shortbox made into a trailer that I thought about buying just for the box, but it was before I got my shortbed. Keep an eye out for one of these, they can usually be bought for a couple hundred bucks or so. Keep an eye on shelterbelts and behind barns as you drive around, you may see one sitting near you that you can buy.

 

[jjester6000]

Do you have a trailer and how far do you want to drive? I live in northern IL and will be pulling the bed off my '75. It's a long bed, passenger side tank, rotted wheel lips but the bed is solid and has a working, although clunky, tailgate. The gas tank is currently mounted in the bed because the steel straps rotted and it was held to the frame with ratchet straps, lol. There are some holes drilled in the front of the bed floor for the fuel lines but the floor is solid. You can have it if you want to come get it.

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Could I have it?

I live somewhat near you?

 

[TubeTruck]

Could I have it?

I live somewhat near you?

If she doesn't want it, sure.

 

[AuroraGirl]

Yeah northern illinois.. too far of a trip for me to be comfortable. thank you for the offer, it will be good in that other guys hands. On the trailers thing.. its funny because I have 5 trailers that are truck beds. 3 are square body chevys, long bed. A yellow, brown(originally from this truck, about as bad), and red. (No sides, but good floor)., But i use them as trailers. Then I have 1 60s chevy stepside trailer(wood floor, short, etc) and one ford 8 inch rear end from a f100 I believe. 70s.

 

[Paladin]

weighing 115 pounds and size 11 feet,.

No offence intended, but DAMN!

 

[dvdswan]

Have you tried local junkyards? Or even LKQ parts, they might be able to find a good bed from the SW and ship it. If you have a local LKQ they might get to you cheaper. Just a thought.

 

[AuroraGirl]

No scrap yards round here stock past 95. Nearest lkq is 2.5 hours away. I might check out to see shipping though

 

[shiftpro]

I dont need that kind of negativity in my life.

??

 

[Frankenchevy]

If my bed wasn’t in good shape, I wouldn’t think twice about getting a nice flatbed with stake sides—but they aren’t cheap.

 

[shiftpro]

If my bed wasn’t in good shape, I wouldn’t think twice about getting a nice flatbed with stake sides—but they aren’t cheap.

Depends ... they can be pretty simple and yet effective. One can find used steel for the build. Wooden planks.