Need Opinions on Bed Ideas Before Sale

[Blue_Aura]

Ok everyone, since you are all a wealth of information and experience, I need your opinions on what would be the best thing to do with my truck's bed before I put it up for sale. I am on a limited budget, but also know that whatever money I put into the bed will return x-fold.

The current condition of the bed is this: The inside of the bed is not painted to match the truck (I was told that the "painter" died and the PO promised that he would get the 1.2 gallon of Emron paint that was left over for the bed - never happened); there is no bed floor; and the frame and rails have surface rust all over them.

I have been thinking lately if I should go a different route with my plans for the bed in order to make it more appealing to prospective buyers.

Here is what I was originally planning on doing:

First, remove as much surface rust as possible and then POR15 the frame and rails.

Second, coat the inside of the bed with a roll-on bed liner or POR15.

Then, install marine grade plywood as a sub-floor, coat the edges with a waterproofing coating, apply a butyl-based (for high temps) peel and stick waterproofing membrane, and then install a polished aluminum diamond plate with tie down rings.

Now I am wondering what would be better for a prospective buyer...

1. Stick with the aluminum diamond plate idea?

2. Should I just remove all the rust, POR15 the inside of the bed and the frame and rails, and leave it like that, so the buyer can choose what they want to do with the bed?

3. Buy a cheap wood bed kit, finish the wood myself, use non-polished stainless strips, and use bed liner for the inside of the bed?

If you were looking at a truck to buy, which one would YOU prefer? Remember, I'm on a tight budget. I might be able to convince my wife to up the budget if the end result would bring more profit on the project (for those who didn't read my earlier thread, I am selling the truck soon to pay for our baby boy due in July).

Here is what the bed looks like now (I'll see if I can get some better shots).

[Rannos]

I say sell the wife and kiddo so you can keep the ttuck . Seriously for resalw I would do marine plywood and coat it and the bed inside with rubberized bed liner. Something cheap and doesnt look bad. Do to much and you wont rexober the difference. Its a sweet truck, to bad you cant manage to keep it, but family is first.
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[Blue_Aura]

Originally Posted by Rannos

I say sell the wife and kiddo so you can keep the ttuck . Seriously for resalw I would do marine plywood and coat it and the bed inside with rubberized bed liner. Something cheap and doesnt look bad. Do to much and you wont rexober the difference. Its a sweet truck, to bad you cant manage to keep it, but family is first.
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Thanks for the opinion. I have a feeling I would have to pay someone to take them off my hands, lol.

Actually, if you saw my wife, you wouldn't believe that, since she is one hot mamma. She even gets hit on when she is pregnant! Our kids are great too, so the truck goes, as sweet as it is, and no matter how badly I wanted one (and wanted to pass it on to my boys). Like others have said, toys come and go, but family is forever.

[ACK]

Unless you already have the POR15, I wouldn't paint the frame. I think most buyers wouldn't care that it's painted so you won't get the money back. I agree with Rannos, do an inexpensive, but clean bed. From the picture, I think you shouldn't have a hard time selling. And congratulations on the new family member!

[Blue_Aura]

Originally Posted by ACK

Unless you already have the POR15, I wouldn't paint the frame. I think most buyers wouldn't care that it's painted so you won't get the money back. I agree with Rannos, do an inexpensive, but clean bed. From the picture, I think you shouldn't have a hard time selling. And congratulations on the new family member!

Thank you. Sounds like I can save money on the bed and spend more on the engine, like what I preferred to do.

[jesseo]

Blue no wonder you can give this up. The list of cars you have is Awesome. I'd sell the 77 Camero 1st though.

[Blue_Aura]

Originally Posted by jesseo

Blue no wonder you can give this up. The list of cars you have is Awesome. I'd sell the 77 Camero 1st though.

No, actually, that is HAD (past tense). Only project now is the C10 and the Honda Civic I bought for my boys' project, which ended up mine and is my commuter car now.

That 77 1/2 actually bit me in the behind... I shouldn't have sold it so cheap! It was a rare car (California car) and the worth is way up there now.
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[Slow Build]

I would sell it as it is. Chances are that the new owner will just rip it out to do something different. I don't think the value of the truck will go up as much as it will cost you to do the work.

[newbe351]

I'm thinking the plywood and bed liner is the way to go. Looks good and is durable. Not all folks are looking for a project. The rest of your truck looks good to go; a clean bed, as ACK said, would go a long way for folks wanting something they can just buy and drive.

[forestb]

I wold put a sheet of plywood in and call it done. I wouldn't put in a bed liner. That might make somebody not want to buy it or want it for less.

[Blue_Aura]

Originally Posted by Slow Build

I would sell it as it is. Chances are that the new owner will just rip it out to do something different. I don't think the value of the truck will go up as much as it will cost you to do the work.

That is one reason I was just going to do the POR15 (or semi-comparable), that way, it won't look like a rust bucket in the back.

[Blue_Aura]

Originally Posted by newbe351

I'm thinking the plywood and bed liner is the way to go. Looks good and is durable. Not all folks are looking for a project. The rest of your truck looks good to go; a clean bed, as ACK said, would go a long way for folks wanting something they can just buy and drive.

Thanks for the opinion... hmmm, good points made.

[Blue_Aura]

Originally Posted by forestb

I wold put a sheet of plywood in and call it done. I wouldn't put in a bed liner. That might make somebody not want to buy it or want it for less.

Maybe just go with the plywood, coat it with a durable coating, and then just paint the inside of the bed with a satin black or similar paint, just to clean up the look (especially since the current paint is white on the inside now.

[DesertCat]

Originally Posted by Slow Build

I would sell it as it is. Chances are that the new owner will just rip it out to do something different. I don't think the value of the truck will go up as much as it will cost you to do the work.

At the most, clean up the frame and rattle can it satin black. If I were looking to buy I would want it as is (so I know what I am getting), or simply cleaned and painted.

Look, that's a nice truck with some good quality work done. For me, I would rather get it unfinished and know all that was restored is quality work.

I don't think the $$$ you spend on POR paint will be recouped and I absolutely would not do any bedliner on it.

[Blue_Aura]

Originally Posted by DesertCat

At the most, clean up the frame and rattle can it satin black. If I were looking to buy I would want it as is (so I know what I am getting), or simply cleaned and painted.

Look, that's a nice truck with some good quality work done. For me, I would rather get it unfinished and know all that was restored is quality work.

I don't think the $$$ you spend on POR paint will be recouped and I absolutely would not do any bedliner on it.

Good info; sounds like what I am heading towards. This is the reason why I started rethinking the diamond plate plan. I would rather put money towards the engine and engine compartment.

Thanks for the opinion.

[61_FL_Apache]

Originally Posted by Slow Build

I would sell it as it is. Chances are that the new owner will just rip it out to do something different. I don't think the value of the truck will go up as much as it will cost you to do the work.

I agree here. My last two trucks i bought did not have finished beds and I just looked right over that when I was looking at the truck. It was not an issue for me. I just added that to the list of things to do.

[Blue_Aura]

Originally Posted by 61_FL_Apache

I agree here. My last two trucks i bought did not have finished beds and I just looked right over that when I was looking at the truck. It was not an issue for me. I just added that to the list of things to do.

Good to know. Thanks!

[61_FL_Apache]

Originally Posted by Blue_Aura

Good to know. Thanks!

Just put it out there and test the market.

[Blue_Aura]

Originally Posted by 61_FL_Apache

Just put it out there and test the market.

Just having a hard time deciding how much to ask for it. By the time I list it, I will have swapped out the 350 with a rod knock and blown rear main seal, and installed a 4-bolt main from a 78, upgraded the brakes to power brakes with a new booster, and detail the engine and compartment.

It will be a mild 350, but I am using 416 heads off a 305 to boost torque. Possible dual plenum intake, but has stock on it now with Rockchester.

It already has the 5 lug conversion and has Billet Specialties rims (missing the center caps, which I could get on eBay for $50 each, or new for $75 each).

Paint looks nice, but I would have done a lot better job on it. There is one bubble area on the hood bottom corner, and an area where the paint is missing near the back of the cab, where the bed hit it.

Interior is alright, some paint drips and the white pearl paint could have been done better. Seat is nice, no seat belts. I'll have to find another steering wheel or get a kit to use the Grant I have as a backup. I am going to try and restore the cluster and make it look newish.

[61_FL_Apache]

Why are you selling it? I may have missed that somewhere.. WIth all that work, just keep it unless your raising cash for another new project.

[Blue_Aura]

Originally Posted by 61_FL_Apache

Why are you selling it? I may have missed that somewhere.. WIth all that work, just keep it unless your raising cash for another new project.

I am selling it to pay for our Baby Boy that is due in July. My insurance sucks and my wife is no longer working, so we have to come up with a lot just to pay "our" portion of the hospital and Dr. bills.

[61_FL_Apache]

Originally Posted by Blue_Aura

I am selling it to pay for our Baby Boy that is due in July. My insurance sucks and my wife is no longer working, so we have to come up with a lot just to pay "our" portion of the hospital and Dr. bills.

I can understand that, and congrats on the baby boy!! That will be fun!!

[luvbowties]

Originally Posted by Blue_Aura

I am selling it to pay for our Baby Boy that is due in July. My insurance sucks and my wife is no longer working, so we have to come up with a lot just to pay "our" portion of the hospital and Dr. bills.

This wide bed took 2 pieces of siding from Lowe's--approx. $50. Step beds may do w/one sheet. Coat with kerosene/diesel oil (with a bit of black crankcase oil for darker color if desired), spray or roll on, bolt with carriage bolts in orig. holes. This siding makes one heckuva trailer bed and much more durable than one would think just looking. Lady friend built a garage w/it , did NOT paint, and 9 years later looked as good as when 1st built. It's about like tongue-and-grooved--the pic of the red truck is joined, unseen, in center of bed!.....then rhino the sides.....or rhino sides AND siding w/out the oil finish!
HTH,
sam

[Blue_Aura]

Originally Posted by luvbowties

This wide bed took 2 pieces of siding from Lowe's--approx. $50. Step beds may do w/one sheet. Coat with kerosene/diesel oil (with a bit of black crankcase oil for darker color if desired), spray or roll on, bolt with carriage bolts in orig. holes. This siding makes one heckuva trailer bed and much more durable than one would think just looking. Lady friend built a garage w/it , did NOT paint, and 9 years later looked as good as when 1st built. It's about like tongue-and-grooved--the pic of the red truck is joined, unseen, in center of bed!.....then rhino the sides.....or rhino sides AND siding w/out the oil finish!
HTH,
sam

I just might go grab two sheets of the T1-11, stain them blue, and then hit them with tung oil and call it done. Thanks for the picks!
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[BR3W CITY]

TREX synthetic decking bed. I run a modified set of bed supports (kinda made into a subframe), which keeps the trex at the correct height (its thicker than the o.e. boards). Its self supporting, weighs about the same (stronger and more flexible). It does change the number of boards used, but allows me to run an underbed access for the fuel cell and the new battery compartment.

I'll be getting it bedlined this spring, (debating a color match lining)