Best sites for complete beds or metal?

[ChrisfromCT]

Does anyone know good sites that price out entire new truck beds? I can find a few places but a some seem to be complete rips. I have MAR-K with WSC for the fenders but I wanted to check with you guys first see if you knew anything. Any help on this or any sites I should be aware of for my restoration would be great

[72Mountaineer]

Contact the Truck Shop in California. They go to the Carlisle swapmeets a few times a year, have great prices.

[mr48chev]

I'm not sure how many different outfits are stamping out the AD truck bed pieces but I'd put top quality on a rating above price when I was looking.

Shop for the best price on the pieces from the same manufacture though as that only makes sense for the billfold along with checking their shipping costs. Some will take the piece (s) you bought to a major event they sell at with no shipping costs for you saving you a lot of money in the process.

[Seamus]

I buy a lot of parts from the Truck & Car Shop - can't beat their prices at swap meets - free shipping on most items from Orange, CA, if U spend over $300.00 (may be $350.00). I have bought under bed gas tanks for my '56, doors, fenders, etc for my '67 CST and numerous interior/exterior pieces for my Camaros, Chevelles, etc. Mirrors, door handles, weather stripping, seat covers, etc, etc. Try them - U'll like them. I'll be shopping with them when they come to Charlotte Auto Fair in a couple of weeks. They help with my Chevrolet addiction!!

[Kabwe]

Well they do have nice prices at The Car and Truck Shop in Orange, CA. I live in the Los Angeles area so I don't have to worry about shipping but I paid 265 per bed side, 85 for the rear crossmember and 79 for the front panel.

http://www.truckandcarshop.com/

[ChrisfromCT]

Great reference guys, they do have the cheapest stuff so far that I've seen. Plus you cant beat that free shipping. I wish they were closer to me! Im curious, do you think they manufacture these parts themselves? I cant spend money on anything not made in usa

[Kabwe]

Man even American cars are not made in the US anymore.lol I'm sure they do not manufacture the parts they are simply a supplier.

If you have to have made in the usa. http://www.mar-k.com/

[ChrisfromCT]

If only I had a truck to get parts for my truck...

[starterman99]

I got all my bed parts from mar-k a couple years ago. top quality reasonably priced.they had free truck freight with the complete bed parts order.

[Russell Ashley]

I think all Mar-K parts are made at their factory in Oklahoma. You definitely can't beat their quality and service.

[AspecialZ]

I got my 74 bed through mar-k. Best quality out there hands down.
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[solidaxel]

Originally Posted by russell ashley

i think all mar-k parts are made at their factory in oklahoma. You definitely can't beat their quality and service.

..... X 3 ......

[ChrisfromCT]

Is there any reason they don't make the rear fenders or the steps?

[LEEVON]

If I was buying a complete bed I wouldn't consider anybody but Mar-K. They're quality is outstanding and they run free shipping deals from time to time. I'd call about the fenders and straps, not everything is on the website. Remember the olden days? LOL

[ChrisfromCT]

Should I not build from 'Truck Parts' in California then? I just priced out a complete bed (w/ fenders) for cheaper than Mar-K would as their standard kit (w/o fenders). Im not one for choosing cost over quality -at all- but if there are no objections to building a bed by 'Truck Parts', I would lean to a cheaper cost ... unless one of you have had a problem with them in the past like mounting issues or something?

-the advice is much appreciated as always guys

[El Campo]

If you want to feed Sooners get the Mar K. If you want to pay for noodles in Taiwan get your "truck parts" one you already said you wanted American made so pay the extra and get Mar K! My opinion only made after years of dealing with imported crap. Some is good but much of it is a waste of steel. The frustration of dealing with poor quality, service and fit has made me HAPPY to pay much more for American made parts
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[ChrisfromCT]

El Campo have you purchased anything from either of these places in terms of sheet metal?

[robin58]

Another vote for Mar-K for the bed parts.

But as far as the fenders are concerned, I'd be inclined to look around for some decent used original ones. They're not so rare you can't find a pair in really good shape. Most of the replacement ones you find are made by Dynacorn and my experience with those parts is that the metal is flimsy at best.

Or if you really wanted good American made repro fenders, you could always contact Wheelwright Restorations in Wheelwright, Mass. :

http://www.oldgmctrucks.com/page0217.html

[Speedbumpauto]

I bought my entire bed minus fenders and the slab of oak plywood I used for the bed from Mar-K. One advantage you get by doing the whole enchilada is Mar-K will modify your sides and tail gate for the hidden latches and the straps that replace the chain. Unless you're building a "nuts & bolts pure stocker" these mods are essential, IMO. That's why all the newer trucks went that way. I haven't purchased anything from Truck Parts so I can't speak to their quality, but to parrot the others, Mar-K quality is great and they are very friendly folks to deal with plus they have stuff to make the stock guys and custom guys happy. I wish they made other stuff, but I guess they stick to the addage of "find something you do well and do it!"

[Kabwe]

Originally Posted by ChrisfromCT

Should I not build from 'Truck Parts' in California then? I just priced out a complete bed (w/ fenders) for cheaper than Mar-K would as their standard kit (w/o fenders). Im not one for choosing cost over quality -at all- but if there are no objections to building a bed by 'Truck Parts', I would lean to a cheaper cost ... unless one of you have had a problem with them in the past like mounting issues or something?

-the advice is much appreciated as always guys

You said you wanted American made that's why I directed you to Mar-K. I bought my bedsides from the truck shop and they are decent but I was mini tubbing and cutting them up anyway so I went with the cheaper option. From what people are saying the Mar-k bed may be better qaulity but I was slicing and dicing them anyway so the truck shop bed was a perfect choice for me.

Here is a pic of the beside I got from the Truck Shop for $265 each.


Here is a pic of the besides on the truck during mock up.

[ChrisfromCT]

dumb question: would you assemble this bed on the truck (until it fits) take it apart, paint the pieces, then bolt it back together? or bot it together and paint it? orrrr weld them together, then paint? I dont mind the bolt together look at all. It seems that mar-k assembled, painted, then re-assembled

[ChrisfromCT]

Originally Posted by Speedbumpauto

I bought my entire bed minus fenders and the slab of oak plywood I used for the bed from Mar-K. One advantage you get by doing the whole enchilada is Mar-K will modify your sides and tail gate for the hidden latches and the straps that replace the chain. Unless you're building a "nuts & bolts pure stocker" these mods are essential, IMO.

Yea I agree, I like the modifications also.

[ChrisfromCT]

Originally Posted by Kabwe

You said you wanted American made that's why I directed you to Mar-K. I bought my bedsides from the truck shop and they are decent but I was mini tubbing and cutting them up anyway so I went with the cheaper option. From what people are saying the Mar-k bed may be better qaulity but I was slicing and dicing them anyway so the truck shop bed was a perfect choice for me.

I value your opinion, but I've always liked to ask why, thats the reason we are on here in the first place anyways, right? And yea if I were in your shoes by chopping and slicing I would have gone with truck parts as well. Mar-k seems to be the way to go

[Kabwe]

Originally Posted by ChrisfromCT

I value your opinion, but I've always liked to ask why, thats the reason we are on here in the first place anyways, right? And yea if I were in your shoes by chopping and slicing I would have gone with truck parts as well. Mar-k seems to be the way to go

Please do not value my opinion because its only valuable to me. I am only the genius of my wallet and what it allows me to do.lol That said it looks like you made a wise choice.

About paint, its a personal choice but I always paint in pieces and put things back together. Mockup, fab (if needed), paint and put back together very carefully or you will have a headache when you make a booboo.lol

[ChrisfromCT]

Does anyone ever weld the bed together? or has that never even been in the picture