ok, so i've had a bit of an incedint. left bed body panel is smashed in. now the auto body place gave me two options: replace the section (no bondo) for ~1400 or repair the section (with bondo) for ~1000. i can get a junk-yard bed for ~700 (in good condition, possible option), or i can bang it out myself and have it look like a half-a55 job until i save up for a proper fix. right now, i can afford to do all but the first mentioned repair, but in a few weeks, i can get more done.

i've also heard of a mysterious "taco bed swap", but all i've heard is that it has been done. i dunno if this would be cheaper, but it's another option.

any and all help appreciated!!!



(better pics later tonight)

 

personally I would go with the bed swap option. $700 for a bed seems a bit much IMO, but that might be a good deal in Virgina..
that frees you up for a color swap down the road...

 

As i stated in your build thread.

I would not have that repaired.

Especially not with bondo.

You're best bet would be to find another bed.

Have you thought about doing a fiberglass bed? That way you will NEVER have to worry about rust.

Just a thought.

 

You could probably replace that panel yourself for cheaper than $1400. Grab one new from Toyota, drill out the spot welds, unbolt the little braces, and slap a new one on there. Spot weld it in place, and I believe there's seam sealer in there too. Then just get that fender painted.

 

yeah, va prices are jacked. i wouldn't mind some new paint on the entire thing, as it's fading all over...

 

How about fiberglass bed sides? Only $250 not sure about shipping...

http://www.toyotafiberglass.com/bed_sides.htm

 

No need to buy new anything. Hammer it out yourself. Learn how to do it properly in the process. Take your time, use the proper tools and all will be well. You might need a super thin skim coat of bondo at the very end.

 

Daily driver? Wheeler? Or both?

 

considering it's not 84-88, i say find a used bed or a used side panel. $700 is a little steep, shop around and you can find one for $200-$400. When i was looking for a bed for my truck i found many 89-95 style beds for a good price but not many for 84-88.

Ill be on the lookout for a good one around my area if you want. What you can do for now is just bang it out as good as you can.

 

He has a 93'

 

looks like my bed now! id do a bed swap though

 

I say if you don't mind the dent, drive it until you have some money to put towards fiberglass or some other route you might want to take.

 

i will probably look into hammering it out this week, and maybe start this weekend. no bondo, though.

quite possibly. i might get a set, but then it would be the same as a new bed (after shipping). i'm upset that the guys in the us (in pennsylvania) don't make the 3rd gen stuff

dd. not much wheeling to be had around here

if you happen across one, i'd be more than happy to take a look at it, thanks. in the meantime, i'll see about talking the yards around here down

possibly... i just need to find a good paint shop. i might just wait a bit and save up to have the entire truck painted



thank you all so much. hooray for internet friends

 

I think you might have a misconception of how body filler is supposed to be used. It should never be more than .03 inches thick.

http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/b...ler/index.html

 

yea. dents give it character! been driving with mine for almost a year haha

 

take the money, buy a welder, buy some metal/dom tube, build a flatbed /thread.

 

Now we're talkin

 

what money? i'm paying out of pocket for this one. technically, i hit the volvo...
and i'm planning on getting a welder sometime soon

i would do something crazy like that, but i'm going to be camping in the back, so a flatbed might not be the most practical.

i'm probably going to save up and get a fiberglass bed, and maybe some fenders and a hood... (bed first)

 

I believe there is a tacoma bed in the yard i go to, but it was in a fire so it would definately need repainted.

 

more pictures. these were taken the morning after:











a bit of his bumper still stuck in my wheel weight. oh yeah, i need a new wheel (it got bent a little bit)




i wish i had a rivet gun. then i could make some quick work of this

(did this a week ago in class)