Rusted out bed. What would you do?

[bulldawg_GW]

All right. I have '72 SWB Fleetside...not gonna be a show truck or anything like that - just a nice driver to putt around in every once in awhile.
The bed is eat up with rust and holes. What would you recommend:
a) patch with new panels?
b) install a wood bed?
c) find a donor?
d) ______________

Give me some reasons on yeas & neas, and some personal experiences.

bulldawg

[dtlilly]

I assume you have a fleet side bed and the metal floor has rust holes. If your bed sides are in good shape, I'd try and find a good floor replacement ($400?). If you want to go to a wood floor, you will need a wood floor front panel and a wood floor kit that can cost $600. If your bed sides are also marginal, I would find a good replacement bed ($500-$800). If your bed sides are good and you are cheep, find some plate steel to weld over the rust ($75.00).