Hey everyone, I just got my new 95 F150 4X4 short-bed. Its about that time to start my spring fix it list and get everything planned out! The bed has some rust over the wheel wells and some dents on both sides. I was looking in the LMC catalog and seen they had some side bed replacement panels. The way they look in the catalog is they just unbolt and bolt on. I've just seen the ones that weld in. So my questions are

1. Do they truly unbolt and the new ones bolt on?
2. What is the difficultly level 1-5?
3. How long would it take start to finish?
4. Is there any diagrams or directions on how to remove/replace them?
5. What is the color name and code of my truck or how would I find out?

Thanks everyone! I look forward to your input and knowledge!

 

1. No- You need to drill out ALL the old spot welds, and re-spot weld into place
2. If you've never done it, 5. If you know what your doing, 4 lol
3. I would probably guess about 5 hours total
4. You are looking at it...Just find all the welds, and remove. Install reverse.
5. Not sure on your color code, but you should be able to find it on the plate inside the drivers side door. Has your vin, weight, etc. on it.


I have never done it before, but I have also spent the past few weeks looking into it. I need to replace both wheel arches on mine (along with a few dings). I am actually contimplating a junk yard bed. Only special tools i can think of is a spot weld bit (fits and drill) and a welder. Hope this helps! GL!

 

I think it would probable be easyer to just change the whole bed instead of all that work on body panels.

 

Smaller replacement panels (not the whole side) are about $50 or so per side. If I can remember those side panels are a couple hundred ($200-300?). May be able to find complete bed for about $100-$200 in junk yard? Im still unsure if I want to tack the weld-in panels or replace the bed.

 

It take alot of time to change body panels and spot weld them it. It only takes 2 to 4 hours to change a bed.

 

I got a 94 short bed with the same issue, well actually worse then your bed I was thinking of doing the panel replacement as well Only reason why i would do that is if i was going to make a show truck and keep it stock with every detail needs to be mint other then that swap out the bed or buy the wheel arches for 49 bucks online I got 2 for my truck just need a few more bits and ill just cut and weld them in

some of the spot welds you would need to remove the bed anyways there are a few of them up front between the cab and bed.

 

I'm not real good with body work or spot welding so i would have to change the bed.

 

Not fun!!!!

 

I had to decide this a little over a year ago, I found a truck with a good body according to the owner. I drive 3 hours to find out it had body work already and the bondo was cracked. My I got it anyways an just put a patch panel in and cut the bondo out. I guess what I'm trying to say is it might be tricky to find a good bed

 

What color is your truck? Mine is the same color but missing the sticker on the driver side door