To patch or replace bed?

[phishfud]

I think the shortbed on my 84 may be worse than I thought. As of now, it needs both wheel arches, patches behind the wheels, both inner wheel wells, tailgate posts, and the tailpan section. The floor, outer wells and the rest are in pretty nice shape. Not sure if it is worth me fixing, or maybe try and find some nice bedsides or maybe a whole rust free bed. This is not going to be a show truck, just for haulin and maybe some wheelin now and then. Just want it to be solid. any thoughts would be great. Thanks.

Terry

[cutter61]

go with a flatbed

[phishfud]

Nah, no flatbed for me. I want a regular bed, just need to decide which direction to go here is all.

[tgh117]

If I am correct, can't exactly remember on teh short bed, but if you find some bed sides, that will not solve your wheel well problems, so you will also have to fix or replace them with others as well. If you could find somebody with a rusted out bed floor, but good bedsides (highly unlikely) then I would say just replace them, but it will be a good bit of work, so it may just be easier to find another bed. I know they are difficult to locate in PA, but you just have to hunt around and one will show up.

Good luck.

[beaterC10]

Given the cost of bedsides and shop labor I would be surprised if you could repair a bed for less than the cost of a good one.

[84 400]

new beds can be found on line and in the cregis list just a short search

[cliffsta]

I'll be interested with what you find... I pretty much need to rebuild my entire box, except for fenders (i'm a steppie)... everything's pretty hammered, it WAS a work truck, after all.

Keep us posted!

PS: I priced it, you can build an entire stepside bed (minus fenders) for 1700, if you were curious of a ballpark figure. Round up to 2 grand just to be safe though