Advice needed: Repair bed I have or buy used bed?

[chevymotocross]

Hey guys. When I bought my 87 swb 2 years ago, overall it looked great but I knew eventually, work to the bed would be needed. Well, that holds true. Spots that were rusted when I bought it have completely rotted away. I need to take action this spring.

Photos are posted below of what I am dealing with. These photos are about a year old, the rust conditions you see in the photos are now worse. Also, that gas tank door has been replaced!

As you see in the pics, the underneath (cross rail and tail pan) are severely rotted. Also, the left bedside, has some good rust/rot. The right side of this bed is perfect as well as the inside of the box. I have also noticed the tailgate posts starting to rot!

I am not a body man, that is for sure, but I can weld. The underneath problems, like that cross rail and tail pan, are basically structural pieces that aren't really seen. My fear is repairing the left bedside with repair panels. If I mess up, it is noticeable. Plus, with the repair panels, cheap paint job, supplies, I am looking at atleast $500 probably.

Here is my other option. I have found a solid local dual tank bed for sale (my truck is dual tank as well) for $350. The bed is straight. Tailpan solid, wheel arches solid, floor solid. It does need the same cross rail replaced as my bed, but that is it. But it will also obviously need to be painted. Pics of this bed posted below.

My fear with going with the used bed, is getting it painted. Will it match my cab? My current bed, is already painted. Only section that would have to be painted is that left side wheel arch. Nothing else is touched and therefore, the bed still matches the cab's paint. Which route should I go?














This side of bed is solid! (gas tank door has since been replaced):