I am building an '85 extra cab. The bed is in rough shape. I am having trouble finding a replacement so I am looking to install fiberglass sides from Downey. My question is do I have to use a toyota doner bed, (the bed currently on the truck; both floor and bed supports are rotten) or can I use a bed box from like a Ford Ranger splash bed (which has fiberglass bed sides). I may be able to find a 3rd gen bed to be used only for the frame and floor. Any suggestions, or have any of ya'll used or known anybody who has used a diff. bed box? Thanks

 

I'd think about building a flat bed for it.... simple, cheap, and effective.

 

considered the flat-bed conversion; but I'll be doing more daily driving than off-roading. This is basically a resto of a previous love. I am trying to get it as close to its previous set up as I can. Thanks for the suggestion though!

 

I have briefly entertained the idea of swapping on a step-side box from another truck, so that the tailgate is narrower... and Ford Ranger stepside trucks seem to be a dime a dozen. Only tricky part would be grafting the Toyota tail lights onto it.

 

Something like this?

 

Downey used to make a fiberglass swap, looked very similar to that one. My thoughts were that the fibergalss sides on a Ranger splash would allow for removal of the bed sides, and a fella might be able to hang new downey, or glassworks fibergalss sides on the "easy to find" ranger box. Didn't know if anybody had swirled this idea around or not.

Maybe I need to take out a second mortgage and buy a new fiberglass replacement. Seems like cabbaging a used bed is extremely difficult.

 

You need a bed from these guys:

www.bgfiberglassusa.com

 

or this place:
http://toyotafiberglass.com/

 

Well the bed sides came off today. either new bed sides, a new bed, or a truggy is in the future. The wife doesn't like the truggy idea, Truggy would definatly be a head turner, but I don't wanna be a poser either, not gonna do that much wheeling, at least not enough to justify a tube rear frame, and I hate to chop a perfectly good frame. I am not interested in sinking thousands into fiberglass sides, but finding a good bed around here is proving to be impossible. Does anybody have any contacts near or in Virginia that want to part with a good bed, or a couple of bed sides?

 

I have heard that a S10, Mazda or Nissan will work. May want to look into that possibility. Also, a 2WD bed will fit but absent of fender flair. Add bushwackers to match it all up.
Just some ideas.

 

Thanks for the advice. Not sure what the next step will be. Began questioning myself this morning......did you do the right thing by trashing the bed sides, were they salvagable, trying to stay away from a bundle of bondo. Keeping my fingers crossed in hopes of lacating a good yota bed.

 

bed sides are not as expencive as you think ..
fiber bed sides are avaliable @ http://www.toyotafiberglass.com

I can deliver for about ~ $800.00 (all toll)

 

Thanx for the advice 'slacker', I will keep that option open, but I hope to find a 'deal' on a local bed, or something along that line. I love the idea of fiberglass, Downey offers fibersides for 270 ea + shipping form CA, which would probably double the cost, so $800 sounds good, but I'll have to p/u some more aluminum cans to swing that kinda cost.
Thanx again!

 

Am I the only one who doesnt really understand the whole "stepside" thing? Whenever I see a stepside truck I think to myself "whats the point?" Am I missing something?