Need a bed, what are my best options?
 

Back in 87 i bought my first car - a 1950 Chevy pick'em up truck. 5-window, original straight 6, 3-on-the-tree, and bondo. After high school I parked it in my parent's barn.

Now I'm trying to get it back on the road.

Current issue is the bed was rusted/beat-up and bondoed in the early 70s (even had a diamond plate panels welded in as a bed floor) and now could really just use a swap.

Anyone got an opinion on the best (cheapest) way to get an original or original-looking no-rust/no-damage bed on it? I'm kind of hankering for the 54 side-mount spare if I'm going to go to too much trouble.

Re: Need a bed, what are my best options?
 

Classic parts

Re: Need a bed, what are my best options?
 

One of the guys that I go back and forth with in Florida buys a lot of sheet metal for AD trucks from https://www.npdlink.com/1947-1998-ch...ide-bed-panels He picks them up in Ocala.

That would be a 300 mile one way road trip for you though.

The same guy might have a usable bed that needs a bit of work but takes longer to deal with than he wants to spend. That would be about 270 miles from you.

Re: Need a bed, what are my best options?
 

Contact info? Tho of course, I already have a bed that would take longer than I want to spend, but ...

Re: Need a bed, what are my best options?
 

I'll pm you what I have.

Re: Need a bed, what are my best options?
 

Hands down...Mar-k.. https://www.mar-k.com/
I wouldnt recommend anybody else..
It may not be the cheapest, but you wont beat the quality
I've bought lots of sheetmetal over the yrs..and they have the best quality stuff I've got my hands on..
Sorry..no fenders though..but I got a new replacement set of those from triplus off ebay.

Re: Need a bed, what are my best options?
 

Mar-K, no question. I got a bed from a vendor that was Counter Parts brand and it was terrible. It needed more bodywork than my old original one. I have bought Mar-K and it was great. Many venders don't advertise what brand they sell.

Re: Need a bed, what are my best options?
 

I second Mar-K. They are most likely the supplier to the other truck vendors. Why not go to the source? I just ordered bed wood and a tailgate and the other related fixings. Their Labor Day sale ended on 14 September. I saved 20% on a $1300 order It paid the shipping and a little more.

Re: Need a bed, what are my best options?
 

Divine..I dont think Mar-K subs their stuff to other sellers...
Alot of that other stuff you see is made overseas

Re: Need a bed, what are my best options?
 

Yep Mar-K every single thing about them was great. The product quality, the service, the shipping, done deal, Mar-K.

Brian

Re: Need a bed, what are my best options?
 

Might end up going original, my dad reminded me I have a fully disassembled 53 3100 in one of the barns and the pics he sent of the bed look pretty straight and rust-free.

I'll look at Mar-K if any of the pieces are missing or shot.

Thanks

Re: Need a bed, what are my best options?
 

I hear what you guy's are saying about the Mar-k parts.
I got the whole bed with tail gate from Classic parts 3 years ago.
I don't have anything bad to say about what I bought or who made them.
Just saying
If I would have came on here and asked you guy's I'm sure I would have bought the Mar-K

Re: Need a bed, what are my best options?
 

Would you believe I’ve waited 30 years to build a truck so I could use Mar-K? If you have good parts in the barn, use them, especially if they have good patina. Extremely happy with Mar-K so far and going to start spraying color in the next few days.

Re: Need a bed, what are my best options?
 

I got my new bed from Jim Carter trucks. It's original gauge and still has the stake pockets in it.

Re: Need a bed, what are my best options?
 

Mar-K has discount codes all the time.

Re: Need a bed, what are my best options?
 

I understand I bought my truck 40 years ago and started a truck fund 20 years ago. It didn't take long to go through the money because I have gone completely off the rails. I have put off my retirement for 3 years to finance it. I hope I live long enough to finish it.