Swapping Beds???

[TobyArnot]

I saw several trucks with late model beds in Pigeon Forge, last weekend. This would eliminate a bunch of rebuild issues for me. Anyone here done this swap, and what is involved?

A sample:

[JORGIE95961]

Id personally try to redo the wheel arches at the least

[Redleg]

Hmmm.....i would swap my fleetside bed for the rearend in the middle...


Well, maybe......

[Shyguy]

I had one on my '67 for a while so I could use the truck here on the farm for a few years. We used square tubing to raise the bed to more or less match the lines of the truck. It did not look the greatest, but it did serve the purpose at the time.

I have seen some ones at the car shows that looked pretty good, but like stated above they would look better if the bed wheel openings were modified to match the front wheel openings.

Here is a picture of the old '67. The bed has since been removed and sold. I bought a year appropriate one to put on it during the restoration. We have started on the rust repair on the cab this month.

The next picture is an older bed and the last one is of a newer bed I have saved from other people's posts.

[OJ1988]

I think it sucks myself!

[oldblue1968chevy]

sucks..

lol'd @ second picture

[lil hoodlum]

I have to admit, I like the look of the newer model beds on these trucks. Some look better than others, so I would say it probably isn't a direct bolt in per se. I remember years ago when it first came out in the magazines I was blown away.

I however, for my truck, prefer the correct bed for our trucks. I think it just looks better than the newer models.

Keith

[gcburdic]

Originally Posted by OJ1988

I think it sucks myself!

He didn't ask if you like it or not, he asked what's involved....if you cannot help, please move on!

[1970 CST Short Wide]

Loved the 2nd Pic Hate the rest. Sorry I really dont care for the look, I think it takes away from the already good looks of the 67-72

[DJMAN]

I also would like to know what is involved. I just picked up a 89' step side bed for my 68'.

[Pop's C-10]

This way looks tha best..fill tha body seem & it's golden..

[OJ1988]

Originally Posted by Pop's C-10

This way looks tha best..fill tha body seem & it's golden..

Also note the rear wheel openings have been modified significantly.

[Pop's C-10]

Originally Posted by OJ1988

Also note the rear wheel openings have been modified significantly.

That's what i was counting as half of being golden..lol

[OJ1988]

Originally Posted by gcburdic

He didn't ask if you like it or not, he asked what's involved....if you cannot help, please move on!

Wow, I have never been asked "to move on" on any forum.
I didn't realize it was such a serious forum, I mean heck, the op posted a voyuoristic image of a womans rear, who probably had no idea someone was taking a close up photo of it.

I simply stated my opinion, as others did, and I am asked "to move on"?

I think I'll go work on my truck.
Posted via Mobile Device

[71sierragrande]

Originally Posted by OJ1988

Also note the rear wheel openings have been modified significantly.

Thats the key. Without the wheelwells matching, it doesnt work. I think the taillight mod on the black one is interesting, although not for me. Unfortunately, I cant give advice on the swap as I havent done it before.

[hjewell2]

Originally Posted by Redleg

Hmmm.....i would swap my fleetside bed for the rearend in the middle...


Well, maybe......

uuhhh yep I vote for pic #2 ,Needs a bowtie on both sides

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by OJ1988

.....
I simply stated my opinion, as others did, and I am asked "to move on"?

I think I'll go work on my truck.

The OP asked for advice on how to do it not your rude input. The Staff Member asked you politely to move on unless you had some positive input. Your reply was neither, and the end result is you have now received an infraction for trolling a staff member. I think it might be a good time for you to go work on your truck too.

[TobyArnot]

O.K., I get it. First, I apologize to any and all that were offended by Pic #2. The young lady stepped in front of me as I was trying to get a picture of a "TOP 25" car. (Copper '62 Bel-Air). As a matter of fact, she realized what happened and she was gracious enough to give me her business card with an e-mail address, and laughingly suggested I to send it to her.. DONE!
.
Geoff: Thanks for your support.

I like the look, as others have said, "if it's done right", plus they can be found "RUST-FREE"....

HOPE THE MODERATORS WILL EITHER LOCK OR REMOVE THIS POST, It won't let me.

Now, everybody take a chill pill and as Goeff said, let's all move on.

[OJ1988]

No apology needed to me, TobyArnot, if my words of "I think it sucks, myself" offended you, for that I am sorry.

[71sierragrande]

This thread should be kept alive. Someone who has done this swap will get on and give a heads up about whats involved. I dont see how pic #2 offended anyone, nor has any other post for that matter. Theres nothing wrong with giving an opinion. I have been saved by alot of people who said something I did sucked. And it improved the project. Every time.

[OJ1988]

I think it would be easy to do. I've seen it done enough.

If I were to try it, I would try and sit the late model bed on the factory support rails, redrill bed to bolt up to the rails. If the bed needs raised from the rails to align with the body, I would use an engine hoist to raise it into position, measure and cut some spacers to length as needed. Think of a body lift kit. You could probably use some fence post or other heavy gauge pipe to make these if needed.

Of course you would have to spice your taillight wiring, but I don't see it being to much trouble overall.

Again, I've seen it done enough, and on some beaters, that appeared to not have much engeneering done at all.

[TobyArnot]

All right !
.
If you set a ('89?) bed on a '70 frame, how far would you have to raise it to get the body line even? (1", 1-1/4")?? Rounding the whell opening is a piece of cake and it definitely helps the look.

Sorry for any dust-up, I just want some info. I'm too damn old to tackle this without some solid advice. Don't know a better place than here!
.
Thanks to all!!

(toe-bee)

[TobyArnot]

This orange one looks about right, and I can't help myself. "RUST-FREE" sounds pretty darn good to me.

[C/10 King]

Originally Posted by 1970 CST Short Wide

Loved the 2nd Pic Hate the rest. Sorry I really dont care for the look, I think it takes away from the already good looks of the 67-72

Ditto, I couldn't agree more, I really loved the 2nd pic.!!!!!!

[dagall]

Just bought my father-in-laws "72, he has a '92 bed on it. The swap looks pretty simple as far as I can tell. There are beams placed at the front and rear of the '92 bed to make it level and it is bolted to the frame.