Bodywork question: replace bed? replace bed side? or patch panel?
 

I just got this truck:

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j1...ine/papaf1.jpg

looks ok huh?

Well, a tree fell on the right side:

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j1...ine/papaf3.jpg

Let me start by saying I've never done ANY bodywork, but I do know how to weld and I have access to a MIG welder and if need be a TIG setup. Am I better off buying a better bed, replacing the bed side, or getting a patch panel? Thoughts?

Thanks!

Re: Bodywork question: replace bed? replace bed side? or patch panel?
 

either the bed side or a new bed -- whatever you can find the cheapest

Its a long bed and the filler side, so hopefully it won't be too hrd to find a bedside.

Thats from a 78 - down bed i think because '79 or '80 up had the square fuel filler door--- good luck

Long beds get beat up because they are used as work trucks --- it can either be a pain to find a clean one, or you could find one in a day -- hard to say

Re: Bodywork question: replace bed? replace bed side? or patch panel?
 

For best results a new bed but maybe you can buy a new side from classicparts or lmc

Re: Bodywork question: replace bed? replace bed side? or patch panel?
 

Holy smokes, that's bent. :smoke:

Doesn't look like a patch panel's gonna help.

Re: Bodywork question: replace bed? replace bed side? or patch panel?
 

Its a long bed so a decent bed would be pretty easy to find or at least around here. I would go that root and make the best out of the two. I am not sure what beds go for in TX but I would guess it is cheaper then a bed side.

Welcome to the boards from New Hampshire

here are a few i found in a quick search.

Go figure a short bed is pretty cheap. If you where thinking of a SWB conversion course that is alotta work
http://austin.craigslist.org/pts/672132996.html

Re: Bodywork question: replace bed? replace bed side? or patch panel?
 

a guy I work with says he has a bed from an '82 that is in good shape. What is a fair price for a bed?

Also, I'm sure the fuel filler is different, how difficult is it to make another setup work? Like what if the filler is on the opposite side?

Re: Bodywork question: replace bed? replace bed side? or patch panel?
 

Re: Bodywork question: replace bed? replace bed side? or patch panel?
 

that's what my uncle suggested, I'll try that first. I don't really have much to lose!

Re: Bodywork question: replace bed? replace bed side? or patch panel?
 

put a couple of 4X4 pieces of wood in the bed and use an old bumper jack some heat and some hammers call it good.. unless youre going to restore the truck totally thats all id do to it and if you restore it there looks to be a decent amount of rust so id do the new bed you can use a newed bed just gotta use the same gas tank fillers as the bed the tank should interchange

Re: Bodywork question: replace bed? replace bed side? or patch panel?
 

add pics of the work here