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tucsonjwt · 10-23-2014, 09:18 AM

I went through this on my 83. I was taking on old cast iron tub to the recycler and had to hit the brakes and the tub dented the front panel. I got a good used front panel from the local pick and pull, but the problem was that they had no price for just the front panel - only the whole box for $250, so I ended up paying the tailgate price - about $65 I think.

Others can chime in on aftermarket sheet metal but I never heard anyone prefer aftermarket over good used OEM. The problem with used OEM is that you likely would want to get one from a non-road salt environment, and shipping would be very expensive. There are a lot of good beds in the desert southwest, but that shipping would be a big negative. I have also heard that aftermarket sheet metal is thinner and does not line up correctly, requiring tweaking on installation. Since this is a real important structural part, I would go the used OEM route, but I have no personal experience with aftermarket.

10-23-2014, 09:18 AM	#2
tucsonjwt Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,198	Re: Front Bed Panel Sheetmetal Question? I went through this on my 83. I was taking on old cast iron tub to the recycler and had to hit the brakes and the tub dented the front panel. I got a good used front panel from the local pick and pull, but the problem was that they had no price for just the front panel - only the whole box for $250, so I ended up paying the tailgate price - about $65 I think. Others can chime in on aftermarket sheet metal but I never heard anyone prefer aftermarket over good used OEM. The problem with used OEM is that you likely would want to get one from a non-road salt environment, and shipping would be very expensive. There are a lot of good beds in the desert southwest, but that shipping would be a big negative. I have also heard that aftermarket sheet metal is thinner and does not line up correctly, requiring tweaking on installation. Since this is a real important structural part, I would go the used OEM route, but I have no personal experience with aftermarket.