I bought my 2001 f150 in October in an effort to get out from underneath a loan with several expenses looming on the horizon.

It was a good deal, i thought, for up here in new england, just before the winter...

I saw a bit of scaling on the lip of the bed between the bed, but it deteriorated to the state its in rapidly.

the rest of the truck, and even the majority of the frame is in excellent shape.

it is just the edge of the bed and 1 or 2 of the support beams for the bed.

Here are some pictures of the damage:

From October:



This Morning:












My plan, with the help of my father is to remove the bed, replace the damaged supports with Steel tube stock, and use that as the lip at the end of the bed. Both the left and right bed walls are hanging because the edge that supported them rusted through so bad.

A replacement bed is a minimum of $500 with needed repairs, no paint around here, so I figure its worth a bit of money in stock and a couple days seeing If i cant repair this while keeping the stock bed.

I havent pulled the liner yet, that is on the to do, this afternoon or tomorrow morning first thing to see if the rest of the bed is damaged badly on top, it definitely isnt on the underside short of the end...


Anyone have any ideas/ recommendations, potential things to check/do while the bed is off?

I am new at working on vehicles... so this will be interesting to say the least...

 

You might be able to find a replacement bed on CL or at a truck outfitter. We've got a place about 20 miles away from here that puts tool boxes on trucks, they've got a half dozen F150 boxes that are brand new collecting dust in the lot, I think they usually sell for $250, but out east, I'd bet you'll be spending a little more.

 

your idea sounds like it would work provided the bed pan is solid enough to tack weld to. I'd coat the whole bottom of the bed with rhino while it was off too. It would be cheaper than buying and painting another bed. I'd do something quick though before this winter sets in.

 

well, process is under way, I found a like new, white body with no wheel moulding (hopefully I can put the ones from mine on) for about $400, there is only 1 small nick on the wheel well that would be covered by the mouldings, and a small bend at the wheel well, just needs to be pulled a tad to align it. almost zero rust, the bottom is still white, the cross supports are still white.

Once I got my bed liner off, and really looked at it, its in pretty rough shape, and it would need to be replaced almost a foot into the bed, and where the cross members were rotting spread up into the bed.

Im gonna go to a maaco and try to get the truck sprayed the dark blue that runs the bottom of my truck.

Anything I should do for repairs before putting the bed back on? replace rear shocks? etc...?

thanks for the input guys.

 

Well, I figured I would update for anyone who cares. I got the bed pulled off and replaced yesterday, just gotta decide on paint or what. Does anyone know how hard it is to replace just the exterior walls of the bed?

Gotta Love New England Winters... 9 years of neglect....














All in all it was a pretty easy swap, just labor intensive... Broke a torx50 bit on the 1st try, and curled another one pretty bad, then we just got out the grinder, Haha.

So.... if the exterior bed walls aren't a financially feasible solution... what color should I paint it?

Ill get some more pics in a bit.

 

I think you're suggesting cutting off the bed sides on the new bed and attaching the old ones. If you did try to weld on the old ones you'd burn off the paint and have to go a head and repaint the old bed sides. Now I know body shops actually have adhesives that they use to glue on body panels so you MIGHT be able to drill out all the spot welds and glue on the body panels.

 

Your best bet is to sell your old bed and use that money for paint. The outer panels are good, or somebody could even fix it and use it.
Probably worth half of what you paid for the new one.

 

also i would have the underside and top side sprayed with rhino liner to protect it

 

I don't plan on keeping the truck for more than 200K miles, Ill maintain it, clean it weekly, especially in the winter, and wash the under side, but that will probably be the extent of it.

Ive read those rubber liners, if they chip or peel, then it will trap in the salt and make things worse. I might look into that POR15 product for the frame, but its so expensive.


I forgot to take some pictures today, but I will take some tomorrow.

What color should I paint it? lol

I am thinking either, just black, or maybe the dark blue color of the base of my truck. Anyone know where to get the name of the color?

 

I'd say re take the bed back off , & rent a sand blaster & wire wheel all the rust off .. Then spray undercoating to protect it & have a new beginning for your scab.( My buddy sprays used motor oil or tranny fluid on his underbody , then runs it up the dustiest road he can find every summer , & has no cancer on the entire truck )Then your new bed isn't sitting on a cancerous foundation, & end up looking like the old one ..you may surprise yourself , & decide to keep & modify your rig to suit you .