82 Pickup Build Crossroads
 

I am looking for opinions on how I should proceed with my build.I am the proud second owner of an 1982 Toyota Pickup. The truck was purchased from my father in law and has been in NC all of its life. It is my daily driver and only has 162,000 miles. A few years back I found a flat bed and removed the rusted out bed. I am thinking about swapping back to an original long bed.

I found a deal on a bed and tailgate. It was a little bit of a drive to get the bed but it was a deal that I could not turn down. The bed is solid for the most part but does have a few rough spots. The fender flares, tail gate, OEM mud flaps, and bumper were worth the deal alone.

So here is my question. Is the bed worth saving? I would like to have the bed painted to match the cab of the truck but I am not interested in wasting money. I would like the truck to be as neat and as clean as possible. I have owned several long beds and this is has the least amount of rust. What should I do?

Thanks in advance!
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.yot...1d2f19efdd.jpg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.yot...26965755ec.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.yot...ea6a68630a.jpg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.yot...4c1b370e5b.jpg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.yot...da4dd455dc.jpg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.yot...6c033edd54.jpg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.yot...e337a44f74.jpg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.yot...29a192993f.jpg

you'll never save that bed !


https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.yot...f5ba630d0a.jpg

I agree with slacker. That has to be the rustiest bed I have EVER seen. It's beyond saving--waaaay beyond in my opinion. I appreciate your desire to put an original bed back on, but if the photos you posted are representative of the beds available in your area, I think you need to go with a fiberglass bed. Not cheap, but will last forever without rusting and all it will need is paint.