Used southern box or reman???

[dylan1970]

Hey guys,

I am starting to work on my truck again and want to start with the box. My question is, should I buy used steel from the south or get the remanufactured pieces to build a new box? I have heard that the wheel wells aren't all that great, but would like to hear your opinions before I go out and start ordering parts.

[jhyder408]

Originally Posted by dylan1970

Hey guys,

I am starting to work on my truck again and want to start with the box. My question is, should I buy used steel from the south or get the remanufactured pieces to build a new box? I have heard that the wheel wells aren't all that great, but would like to hear your opinions before I go out and start ordering parts.

personally, original steel is the way to go. re-pop is just not as good. down south you should be able to locate a really nice bed.
just my 2 sense worth!

[TBONE1964]

I would always go with GM steel. The reproductions are nice but not that nice. Are you talking long or short wheel base? Original short wheel base boxes are getting very hard to find in good shape and will be priced accordingly.

[leftybass209]

I would also say GM steel. The only way I would opt for repro panels, is if the price of original metal skyrocketed to unattainable prices. Right now, it seems repro steel is still the more expensive option, so it seems like a win win for you!

[67ChevyRedneck]

"Down south" is about tapped out, and these trucks are starting to really get up there in age now and rusting here... your best bet for a really nice bed is out west, TX, OK, AZ, NV, CA etc.

[sir_talk_alot]

We still have good trucks here
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[BigDaddyV]

There are very few here in Bama, and if you find one you will have to chew the guys arm off before he will let go of it.

[CC69Rat]

I'm a die hard original GM steel guy, .. BUT I understand some very high quality beds are available now if you have the cash. They come out of Bowling Green KY. For about $2300 (picked up) you can get a brand new, complete SWB bed and I hear the fit is as good or better than GM / OEM stuff. I hear the metal is heavier than GM. I personally have never seen one, but I will soon. Yes they are made overseas but apparently someone over there is a forum member (?) and seen the reputation the aftermarket stuff has in ~some~ cases. I'm not saying all AM stuff is bad but there are posts about the fit and panel gaps, etc.

Check out www.sokyclassics.com I'm in no way associated to these guys, and I don't know where they're getting the metal from but just saying .. I hear it's really nice.

Hope this helps.

[Daubs]

So give me a ballpark number what a used, long box, fleetside steel floor bed would run? My 72 K-20's bed would require lots of work...and I'm not a big fan of wood floor. Interested in watching this thread.

[longhorn70gmc]

Go original if you can. I pounded out some dents in my bed wells and they look great. Just about all the repop stuff I have purchased over the years just isn't standing up like the original stuff. One item that is though is the repop Rad support to fender corners I bought and are using, but that's it.

[dylan1970]

Great feedback! I'll be doing a lot of web browsing to find the right parts. I am going for a longbed wood floor. If you know of some good websites to find this stuff, that would help out a lot!

[CC69Rat]

Gmcpauls.com has all the factory specs for your wood. Easy to cut your own.
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[leftybass209]

You're looking for a long box and can't find one?? There must be dozens here in California. I know that's now what you want to hear, but maybe you can road trip somewhere to find one. Probably still cheaper than new sheet metal.
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[RPBurris]

You can always search the parts board here. I know a guy who has a long bed for sale (me).