Steel Bed, Trash or fix? Your experience?

[Springbear]

1972 ¾ Ton, 4X4 Steel Bed Questions:

(Desired result ~ Restored pick-up like factory glove box decal.)

Dropped my dealer added aux. fuel tanks today. Two cross members are rusted badly and noticing that the bed is pitted through in one spot.

I will be disassembling the bed parts to clean up any rust. Cutting in all parts with paint and reassembling.

My body guy is estimating another 10 hours at $20 per hour to straighten the bed up.

Am I better to just replace the bed sheet metal with a new one?

What is your experience or observation on other trucks?

Martin

[Palf70Step]

I can't remember for sure, but I think you'll have to fix it unless you find some good used bedsides. I don't think anyone makes repo long bedside.

[longhorn71]

the bed floor is herd to fix.when these trucks were new every body bought them to be used as trucks.the steel floors took a beating dents and rust are common.I would change the floor to wood,just my two cents

[Palf70Step]

Ooops misread I think. You'll be paying about the same, maybe more to convert to wood floor, so it's your choice really.

[TugOwar]

Originally Posted by longhorn71

the bed floor is herd to fix.when these trucks were new every body bought them to be used as trucks.the steel floors took a beating dents and rust are common.I would change the floor to wood,just my two cents

Longhorn you just answered a question I have had. If it is even possible to put wood in where steel is stock. Although my steel bed floor is not in bad shape I'd like to replace it with wood. Just always loved the wood bed floors.

[longhorn71]

Originally Posted by TugOwar

Longhorn you just answered a question I have had. If it is even possible to put wood in where steel is stock. Although my steel bed floor is not in bad shape I'd like to replace it with wood. Just always loved the wood bed floors.

yes in classic truckin they did it on a 72.you have to change the steel supports,front bed panel and rear crossmember behind the tailgate.IT is expensive to do but it is new and looks better

[shuttermutt]

Originally Posted by longhorn71

yes in classic truckin they did it on a 72.you have to change the steel supports,front bed panel and rear crossmember behind the tailgate.IT is expensive to do but it is new and looks better

Hey, that's pretty sweet. It never dawned on me you could swap 'em out like that. I might have to look into that one.

[longhorn71]

Originally Posted by shuttermutt

Hey, that's pretty sweet. It never dawned on me you could swap 'em out like that. I might have to look into that one.

it was in the late 2003 season it was a good article and the results were even better!!!

[passthebuck]

I personally am going to go back to a steel bed. My origional steel bed is too far gone but I found a better one that still needs work. There are a few holes & a few cross pieces are toast. I think that I can make patches from my old bed & I'll use better square steel tubes that are stronger & dont catch dirt like the u-shaped channel cross braces. After repairs I'll have it Line-X'ed or whatever sort of coating. I think a truck that will live outdoors 365 & will do regular work duty that steel (coated in some way) will hold up better than wood. Will it be a work truck? Will it live outside 365?

[Springbear]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

I can't remember for sure, but I think you'll have to fix it unless you find some good used bedsides. I don't think anyone makes repo long bedside.

That is what I am find’ in out... I have a parts dealer in Canada that says he can deliver.. stay tuned!

[Springbear]

Originally Posted by longhorn71

yes in classic truckin they did it on a 72.you have to change the steel supports,front bed panel and rear crossmember behind the tailgate.IT is expensive to do but it is new and looks better

How much is expensive? How much time does it take? To convert to wood?

[Springbear]

Originally Posted by passthebuck

I personally am going to go back to a steel bed. My origional steel bed is too far gone but I found a better one that still needs work. There are a few holes & a few cross pieces are toast. I think that I can make patches from my old bed & I'll use better square steel tubes that are stronger & dont catch dirt like the u-shaped channel cross braces. After repairs I'll have it Line-X'ed or whatever sort of coating. I think a truck that will live outdoors 365 & will do regular work duty that steel (coated in some way) will hold up better than wood. Will it be a work truck? Will it live outside 365?

No it will not be out side and it will not be a work truck. I just want to drive it on sunny days! Have you found a source for the steel bed? (Beside Patches)

[passthebuck]

patches is all that I know of out there.... I just had to find a workable bed & run with that.

[Gee_Emm]

Apparently they make half sections of the floor.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...1&postcount=18

[Springbear]

Originally Posted by passthebuck

patches is all that I know of out there.... I just had to find a workable bed & run with that.

That is what I am coming to a sad conclusion.... Wonder why they don't make a repo bed... even a two piece?

[Springbear]

Originally Posted by Gee_Emm

Apparently they make half sections of the floor.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...1&postcount=18

Cool... I am on it. Thanks for the tip!

[Warbones]

I'm like some of you guys. I'd prefer a steel bed over my rotted wooden one. So when I hunt for one. That's what I'll be looking for.

[chucks70]

I've called on these sections, would be good for patch panels with a few problems. There are no dimples where your attaching bolts go. There is no support lip around the wheelhouses and are not pre-drilled. The ends are not tapered to give that finished look at the ends of the bed. They do however have a full bedpan for a '73 and up. I don't know how close the floor is to the '67-72 but that may be an option.

[Springbear]

Originally Posted by Warbones

I'm like some of you guys. I'd prefer a steel bed over my rotted wooden one. So when I hunt for one. That's what I'll be looking for.

I will let you know what I find....

[Springbear]

Originally Posted by chucks70

I've called on these sections, would be good for patch panels with a few problems. There are no dimples where your attaching bolts go. There is no support lip around the wheelhouses and are not pre-drilled. The ends are not tapered to give that finished look at the ends of the bed. They do however have a full bedpan for a '73 and up. I don't know how close the floor is to the '67-72 but that may be an option.

Hmmm... Any one out there...? Will a '73 fit a "72 Bed? (Sounds to good to be true...)