Front Bed Panel Sheetmetal Question?

[SCOTI]

The front bed panel for my dually is hammered BAD so as I'm moving forward on bed tweaks I'm looking for a replacement. My options are finding a nice, straight, clean OE piece locally or an aftermarket re-pop part.

Are the aftermarket pieces decent enough to consider? It's going to be hidden behind a tool box but I still don't want to install something that's a poor fitting part.

[tucsonjwt]

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.

[jetmech85]

I would like to know about aftermarket panels also. Rust is not the problem here but most of these trucks were bought as work trucks and hard to find a straight panel. Even the ones that had a toolbox got beat in down low under the box.

[KQQL IT]

Always wanted to cut a step side tailgate section and add it in the front panel.

[Jonboy]

I thought I had one laying around, but it looks like it vanished.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by Jonboy

I thought I had one laying around, but it looks like it vanished.

LoL.... I have 3 used & 1 new Mar-K. But, they're for 67-72's & attach differently @ the floor.

[tucsonjwt]

I know the aftermarket sellers of the "better quality" aftermarket sheet metal on ebay have high shipping costs also, so maybe a good used front panel from a SW junkyard would be a better choice for my near neighbors in TX, even if you had to pay shipping it would likely be a lot less if shipped in the same SW region. If you want, I can look around the local pick and pull to see what is available out here - I know I have seen some good beds prior to going to the crusher. PM me if you want me to research locally.

[SCOTI]

I appreciate the offer. I've been watching c-list locally but not many pieces & I don't have room to buy the entire bed for 1 panel. I'll keep researching/looking for something aftermarket.

Ideally I can find a distributor that's somewhat local to minimize shipping costs. It sucks paying more for shipping than you do for the panel.

[SCOTI]

Well..... As mentioned I watched c-list & nothing was coming up that wasn't a full bed so I started my internet search for a re-pop front panel.

I found Summit had the Goodmark brand sheetmetal & a better price on their 'oversized pkg' shipping cost vs the much closer to me LMC ($8 vs $20). I ordered one from Summit & it came in today. Not sure who gets the blame on this but I'm sure glad I asked our shipping guys to notify me when it arrived so I could inspect for shipping damages before they left.

As received from FedEx.....