Body work?

[computersoc]

Sounds good. Last question before I go out searching: does the color matter, or would it be too onerous/expensive to re-paint a bed?

 

[black_demon69]

A stepside bed will require a different bumper as well.

one other thing is that the step side is a bolt on fiberglass bedside.. also the bedsides don't rust

 

[enjr44]

90 percent of the Beds/boxes you find will not had a tailgate. They are the first thing to go, so a step-side just keeps getting more complicated.

 

[computersoc]

I did one application of a magic eraser. Tomorrow I will do another application and some Goo Gone and it should cut down the paint transfer pretty decently.

Do I need a new rim? Tire still has the correct PSI. At 11 o'clock and 1 o'clock you will see some damage. These were junk yard rims to begin with that I got cheap, so I could have a set for snow tires and a set for warmer weather tires.

 

[computersoc]

I got gas today and didn't see any leaks, drips, or puddles. No smells either. Where the hose meets the fuel filler neck ports (two ports, two hoses), I saw what looked to be wetness on one hose after I filled up, but when I got home five minutes later, I saw nothing and it looked bone dry.

Can I drill a small hole in the "dent" and pull it out to straighten it even a little? I don't mean straight as in brand new looking, but straight as in flat with bumps. I just want to ease up on that fuel hose.

 

[97RangerXLT]

Get a cheap basket ball and use an inflation needle to let the air out of it. Stick deflated ball between the inner and outer bed walls where the dent is, make sure that you have an air hose and inflation needle hooked to the ball. Inflate the ball until the bed side pops out. This should make it a little better until you find a new bed

AJ

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note 4 while sitting in my underwear

 

[computersoc]

Will that be strong enough since beating it even with a hammer doesn't seem to do much? I don't have much clearance to swing a hammer too.

 

[computersoc]

I know people who go to the auction. Do auctions sell truck beds, or just whole vehicles? I see salvage yards selling truck beds for outrageous prices (albeit excellent condition) and they say they can get any color. How do I cut out the middle man and go where they go? Where do they go?

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Salvage yards go to auctions, buy the whole vehicle, and then sell parts. Go to a few auctions in your area and check it out. I've never been to a vehicle auction myself but it's on my bucket list.

 

[computersoc]

I've been there with people who have an auction business. It looked like mostly junk cars. I'll talk to them and see what they recommend.

 

[97RangerXLT]

Along with the basketball trick, get a brand new toilet plunger and put a little grease around the edge and place it in the dent where it will make a good seal and you might be able to pull some of it out. That is some pretty heavy damage, but you can try.

In all honesty, if it isn't leaking and you can still fill it up, I would just drive it as is until you get the parts to fix it right

AJ

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note 4 while sitting in my underwear

 

[computersoc]

No leaks, just that wetness that I mentioned, which ended up going away by the time I got home.

I looked on Craigslist for half the country and couldn't find the same color bed that I have. I might have to get one and get it painted.

 

[computersoc]

Anyone have any opinions on the ease of buying a bed that is any color and painting it? That seems like my only option since my color is impossible to find.

 

[don4331]

Did you search www.car-part.com?

There are dozens in your colour on their site
Not sure where your located but should be one close enough that it is less than wrong color + paint.

p.s. Don't necessarily assume higher price = nicer box; there are some A0 (best quality) boxes for 1/2 the price of some CC boxes...

I actually have a step side on my driveway in your colour if you happened to be in western Canada.

 

[computersoc]

Thanks for the link, I see one for $400 about five or six hours away that is A0. How often is that website updated?

I'm in upstate NY.

The other issue is, how do I fit the bed in my bed? Unless I have someone help me switch it out there. I'd probably need air tools to get the bolts undone because of NY rust.