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.....

[SCOTI]

The important thing to me was the top 'tube' on the bed panel. The lower portions can be accessed from the front/back so hammer & dolly work can be done. The 'tube' on top means alternative methods need to be used & something I wasn't willing to mess with considering it was 'new'. I accepted delivery & tweaked the damages during lunch.

So >30mins w/a body hammer & some dolleys......

[tucsonjwt]

How is the quality overall? It looks like the sheet metal is thinner than OEM - is that just an optical illusion? Did the panel come shipped loose, or was it inside any packaging?

[y5mgisi]

Looks useable.

[SCOTI]

Panel came shipped in a standard thickness cardboard box so it def was not over packed. It's doesn't seem as thick as a Mar-K panel. I haven't pulled the OE unit off yet to compare them but will this week.

Its usable..... but could have been damaged more on top or the main panel surface so be sure you inspect it upon receipt if it's getting shipped (unless you're ok w/having to repair new parts).

[SCOTI]

Ok.... Swapped the panels @ lunch. Weight felt about the same. The new panel had more of a 'tinny' sound vs the OE piece but the OE place was beat to heck & several spots which prob helped minimize the tin sound-effect.

After some slight persuading on one side, it went together w/o much fuss. The coating causes concern when starting the original bolts (felt like the threads were different) but they threaded in 100% & the one I pulled back out looked to be good still.

From looking in @ the end of the bed, it looks OE. This one will def work fine for me hidden behind my tool box (trunk).

[tucsonjwt]

If you don't mind, how much was it with shipping?

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by tucsonjwt

If you don't mind, how much was it with shipping?

$84 to my door. Price on them was fairly consistent (around $65). If I would have ordered more from Summit, the cost would have dropped (over $100 = free shipping but the oversized cost would still apply).