My 83 is still in way better shape then even some '03s here, in the rust belt (I am surprised but definitely not complaining)
but it is starting to show rust beyond the chrome trim on the bedsides; the cab and front clip, floorpans and rockers are still solid.
I have NO plans on parting with this truck at present; unless I find a 89-93 Cummins truck w/a good body a 5 spd and a "give a way" price;
(not likely I just looked at a 92 clubcab 4WD that the idiot wants $15k for; he bought "right", from a car lot, with resale intention) not in this lifetime; so meanwhile my 318/727 truck stays.....
I don't need one exactly today, but I happen to see a couple possibilities available you gotta get while the gettin is good;
I have 2 replacement beds available to me; which way would YOU go?
1) stock rust free 81-93 Dodge truck bed come up from Texas by a guy that used to go down monthly and bring back rust free beds cabs etc and sold them alongside his vegetable/fruit stand;
or, 2) fiberglass "utility" bed, 4X8 open area, but high sides and compartments/doors galore.... like something you'd see on an electrician's truck or a plumber's truck....
Both about the same distance from me (opposite directions of course) and both have the same "asking" price.
I had considered a flatbed with a headache rack such as I had previously (like 15 years ago) which did me well; "loaded" meant the tires were as close to the underrside of the oak floor as I felt "comfortable"; usually if I could get my hand between tire and bed I was OK to run with it; (this truck was a 79 D 100 shortbed)
the only problem? It was higher off the ground unloaded, meaning it was harder to load/unload.... higher to lift stuff off the ground. but way more room to load stuff than the stock bed.
Both 1) (stock rust free bed) and 2) (utility bed) are the same money; if I bite on either, I am leaning towards going with the utility bed.....
but it is starting to show rust beyond the chrome trim on the bedsides; the cab and front clip, floorpans and rockers are still solid.
I have NO plans on parting with this truck at present; unless I find a 89-93 Cummins truck w/a good body a 5 spd and a "give a way" price;
(not likely I just looked at a 92 clubcab 4WD that the idiot wants $15k for; he bought "right", from a car lot, with resale intention) not in this lifetime; so meanwhile my 318/727 truck stays.....
I don't need one exactly today, but I happen to see a couple possibilities available you gotta get while the gettin is good;
I have 2 replacement beds available to me; which way would YOU go?
1) stock rust free 81-93 Dodge truck bed come up from Texas by a guy that used to go down monthly and bring back rust free beds cabs etc and sold them alongside his vegetable/fruit stand;
or, 2) fiberglass "utility" bed, 4X8 open area, but high sides and compartments/doors galore.... like something you'd see on an electrician's truck or a plumber's truck....
Both about the same distance from me (opposite directions of course) and both have the same "asking" price.
I had considered a flatbed with a headache rack such as I had previously (like 15 years ago) which did me well; "loaded" meant the tires were as close to the underrside of the oak floor as I felt "comfortable"; usually if I could get my hand between tire and bed I was OK to run with it; (this truck was a 79 D 100 shortbed)
the only problem? It was higher off the ground unloaded, meaning it was harder to load/unload.... higher to lift stuff off the ground. but way more room to load stuff than the stock bed.
Both 1) (stock rust free bed) and 2) (utility bed) are the same money; if I bite on either, I am leaning towards going with the utility bed.....
