Swap my rotted bed pan for newer GM steel?

[88Ironduke]

SO here is the question for the gurus on here.
I have seen trucks with new style beds mounted up but the tail lights look goofy on old school rides. But... Can the bed pan/sheet metal from a new style truck, say from a 2000 full size Chevy 8 foot bed be swapped in between the bed sides of my 72 Fleet side with minimal cutting/hacking? Does any one have measurements from a new bed and compared notes to what was original 67-72?

I have been trolling Craigslist here in NJ/PA and there are several beds available. How does the new tin work from GM stand up to the old stuff our trucks came with?

Any one have any experience in the area or is that just a fools idea. I have access to MIG/Argon, plasma cutter and most of the tools required. When a bed is 200.00 bucks local pick up, clean paint and in very good shape beats out most other options on new metal products.

Thoughts and opinions welcomed.
88Ironduke

[dan42]

Wouldn't it be easier to just go to Mar-k and get the needed sheet metal? I assume you are doing it to save money but if you consider the time you are spending to fabricate and materials you would have to spend the money on, it seems to make sense to use something that was designed for the truck. JMO.

[cleanfreak]

Friend of mine did what your asking , put his skins on a 88-98 bed , made the 67-72 gate work also. looks great , was a ton of fabrication though.

[88Ironduke]

Thanks for the heads up. Trying to minimize the fabrication on my current truck bed and it sounds like others have done this before. Also trying not to reinvent the wheel here. I will keep saving my $$$ for new steel, disassemble my bed and replace the steel.

Thanks.
88Ironduke