Maybe I need a new bed...

[ryan77]

Have it media blasted and start patching! Its a deuce not a 57 thunderbrid it doesnt have to be perfect when patched!!!

 

[clinto]

Honestly, I'd swap beds. For the following reasons:

1. They aren't hard to swap, they only weigh about 1400 lbs.
2. Standard A2 beds (non dropside, etc.) are cheap.
3. Provides the opportunity to update to a dropside or a bed with tie downs
4. If you care enough about the truck to do a good job (and it appears you do, since you're partially pulling it apart vs just cleaning it up and spraying it, then it's worth getting a better bed. Between the rust and the damage around the tailgate (plus the tailgate itself), I'd get another one.

 

[John S-B]

Honestly, I'd swap beds. For the following reasons:

1. They aren't hard to swap, they only weigh about 1400 lbs.
2. Standard A2 beds (non dropside, etc.) are cheap.
3. Provides the opportunity to update to a dropside or a bed with tie downs
4. If you care enough about the truck to do a good job (and it appears you do, since you're partially pulling it apart vs just cleaning it up and spraying it, then it's worth getting a better bed. Between the rust and the damage around the tailgate (plus the tailgate itself), I'd get another one.

Yeah, that bed is bent up worse than it looks in the pic. It could be fixed, but would take some time and tools that I don't have. The tailgate's not too bad. If I could find an A3 bed that would be cool, I'd paint it in the Retro OD green. That's the only thing about an A3 I really like.

 

[clinto]

I think C&C Equipment has an A3 bed right now.

They occasionally come up. I bought one for my A2 w/dump conversion.

 

[John S-B]

I think C&C Equipment has an A3 bed right now.

They occasionally come up. I bought one for my A2 w/dump conversion.

Yeah, I saw that. I just don't have the money right now. Spent my secret savings on 4th of July pyro. Got to build up the account first.

 

[TACTICAL6]

PM sent!

 

[Kevin C]

That'll buff out.

 

[John S-B]

Well here's an update! Eagle4g63 stopped by this morning and we pulled the bed off of my truck and got 'er up on his. Only had to use the sawzall once. As usual with anything I do, it took a little longer than I thought, but got done in time for me to pick up the kid from marching band practice, so no big deal. It's always good to me a fellow SS member. Nathan has a really nice setup with his ride. He's going to cut my old bed down to put on a trailer, so it isn't going to go for scrap.

 

[clinto]

So you sold your bed? Are you looking for one now or have you already sourced a replacement?

Also, now that the bed is out of the way, now is the time to clean up and paint the rear area, back of the cab and do any maintenance that needs to be done (new brake lines, copper air lines, parking brake shoes, etc.

 

[John S-B]

So you sold your bed? Are you looking for one now or have you already sourced a replacement?

Also, now that the bed is out of the way, now is the time to clean up and paint the rear area, back of the cab and do any maintenance that needs to be done (new brake lines, copper air lines, parking brake shoes, etc.

No, did'nt sell it, traded for some stuff I needed. And yeah, now that I have the bed off, I'm going to get after some of the stuff that needed attention. I pulled the brake cable because it was frozen, I got a new one to go in. I'm going to power wash the truck and paint, hopefully at least primer before it gets cold. I have all I need to do the axles, I'm going to go through them all and get them right. I also want to tie the breathers together and run the line up under the hood. Gimpy has a line on a possible bed for me, but it's not firm yet. I'm also redoing all the seats and bows with new wood.

 

[dblcamaros]

Jeff, here is an option that worked well for me, hope it helps you out. I recently replaced the bed on my m35a2 also. Here's how i did it...................i unbolted everything with an 18v cordless impact, then i took off all the bolts and chained and bindered the bed in front and rear, then i drove the truck to the local scrap yard, unbolted the bed, pulled up to the magnet and had them lift it off with the magnet.....worked awesome. then I drove (no bed at all) to where i got the new bed (colemans surplus) had them set it on and used the cordless to bolt it all together again. Still was a pain, but coulda been a whole lot worse.....good luck! P.S. remember to check your bed after you pull it to make sure the oak slats are not sticking to it!!

 

[dblcamaros]

John s-b
Dunno how far you willing to travel but Colemans in central PA. has beds for $350. Mine was even undercoated already!

 

[indy4x4fab]

Well here's an update! Eagle4g63 stopped by this morning and we pulled the bed off of my truck and got 'er up on his. Only had to use the sawzall once. As usual with anything I do, it took a little longer than I thought, but got done in time for me to pick up the kid from marching band practice, so no big deal. It's always good to me a fellow SS member. Nathan has a really nice setup with his ride. He's going to cut my old bed down to put on a trailer, so it isn't going to go for scrap.

Doc farm all has a drop side deuce bed for sale for 400 that he's planning on scrapping out next week cause no one wants it. I have seen it its solid and just needs a really good scrubbing down and repaint.

 

[John S-B]

Doc farm all has a drop side deuce bed for sale for 400 that he's planning on scrapping out next week cause no one wants it. I have seen it its solid and just needs a really good scrubbing down and repaint.

That might be the one Gimpy mentioned.

 

[gimpyrobb]

Nah different one.