Need to replace bed on my 73 SWB

[Gandalf]

The bed floor on my 73 SWB is pretty beaten up from years of use. The rest of the bed and truck is in surprisingly great shape. I saw the $400+ price of a replacement bed and then I'd need to weld it in so I won't be going that route.

If I advertise/look for a replacement bed (the entire back half of the truck) - what years will match? I know I'm good until the late 70's, how much later can I go?

OR should I just POR15 the entire bed and get one of those full bed liner things to put over the top of this bed and be done with it? Does it matter that the floor is almost flat in some areas?

I have enough (car) projects going on so I'm looking for the quick fix here.

Thanks for any help,
G.

[f.monroe]

You can buy a floor and put your parts on it . The only welding required will be the two small welds at the rear ofthe floor by the tailgate area . My opinion is to replace the floor . A nice floor always makes a truck look better .

The gas tank humps are a little smaller and in different locations on different years . The one on a 73-78 without the gas tank doors is smaller than the 78-87 that came factory with the doors . I think a floor from 73 - 87 should work since the larger hump should cover the inside of the bed side cutout . I have had trouble putting 78-87 bedsides on earlier floors . There is also an issue of alignment with a couple of the forward mounting bolts , the ones that bolt the floor and bed side together . They are just a little off and you may not be able to get all of them in but no one would ever know if one was missing . Frank

[Gandalf]

Thanks for the detailed info Frank. I guess I was just surprised how expensive just the replacement floor panel itself is. I expected $100-$200 but $400+ (ouch!). I'll keep an eye out for a used replacement I guess.

Any idea if I can use one of those bed-liners even with my bed being flat in certain places?

G.