Replacement bed question

Just discovered when I removed the plastic bedliner to spray on a liner, that i have some serious rust issues toward the front bulkhead of the bed. Frame is in good shape for now, but now I need to either replace the bed, or attempt to fix this with the limited time I have. Without an infant and a toddler, this would be a fun welding project, but I just don't see how it's possible.

My question: Found a replacement double cab bed (I have the one without fender flares), but it is listed as a 2WD version. Is there a difference between 2WD and 4WD beds? Both are for a double cab. Thanks in advance

 

My understanding is that dbl cab body same 2wd & 4wd. Check fuel filler door location and mounts to verify those line up. How’s the color difference?

 

Oh it is totally different. Silver vs my blue steel metallic. But since I have the model without flares, I'll have to take what I can find

 

It's too bad you're so far away. I literally just swapped my bed for a new one and am trying to sell my old one, which is blue steel metallic. But there shouldn't be any difference between 2WD and 4WD beds. 4WD stuff is all up front.

 

Make sure you understand which cab type you have. The Access cab has the 4 doors that the rear doors open clam shell or suicide style only after the front doors are open. The Double cab has the 4 full doors that open independent of each other like normal doors. The beds are not interchangeable between AC and DC trucks. Doesn't matter what drive train you have, all the AC beds are the same and all the DC beds are the same. You can swap your fenders over to the new one.

 

Yes, I'm fully aware of the differences between the bed for access, double, etc. Here are some photos. The tail lights should be indication enough that it is double cab. My only concern is if there is some weird thing that makes a 2WD bed different. I have the vin number of the bed I'll have to run it through my dealership to double check.
Also, looks super clean underneath and only surface rust on top

 

I only mentioned it because you listed yours as a “dual cab”.

 

Never noticed that was on my profile. Appreciate the heads up.

 

2wd and 4wd beds are

 

This one isn’t in quite as good of condition but it’s the same color… just located in Idaho.

 

Only issue is that it has the fender flares, which most double cab have. Mine does not, which makes matching the body much more tedious. If it were the same body style, I'd probably inquire about freight shipping. Thanks anyway

 

Too bad. But that’s a good looking truck.

 

Thanks! Broke my heart to find the rust under the plastic bed liner. Underneath, it really didn't look bad.

 

I presume that you looked into repairing your bed. I've seen a post or two on here showing repairs that looked solid , especially if it is going to be covered up again under a bed liner

 

Yes, that would absolutely be my preferred choice. I have the welding experience to do it as well. What I do not have, however, is the time. The infant and toddler have all of that.
My plan, however, is to swap beds, and repair my current bed over time.
Stay tuned for a repaired replacement bed, up for sale.
But it will probably take me a year at this point lol.

 

So you're also part of the club that wrenches from about 8pm - midnight? And also can't pull out the impact during those hours because it's too loud.

 

It's an exclusive club. Fortunately, I've found that somehow, miraculously, I can run just about any tool (impact, grinder, table saw, circular saw) and no one can hear anything. But yea, after 8pm, if my honey-do list isn't too long

 

Did you find these at a local pick and pull or car-part.com or something? I can't find shit close to me and have the same issue with having no flares...

 

Found it at an online salvage yard. Had them send me a bunch of pics. Almost decided to wait, but it was a good del and figured i might not ever find another without flares. Good luck. I initially found it on ebay

 

Same issue @jpink had, IIRC. He eventually found a bed w/o though. It's tough to find, I was keeping eyes out in my area when @FirstGenVol mentioned he needed one, ideally in black. I setup SearchTempest to look and hit www.car-part.com once or twice a week for 3 weeks with no luck.

 

Where are you located? I would be interested in the silver DC bed if you find another option

 

I'm in VA but I already have an appt to have the new one painted blue steel metallic. I will either fix the old one, in time, and sell it, or sell it as is as a project bed

 

Freight shipment arrived early today. Luckily I had two other guys in hand to lift it off the flat bed trailer.
Going in for painting, but the under side of this thing is clean as he'll. Almost zero rust. The plan is to coat the bottom it with Eastwood encapsulator and lather with 5th wheel grease before I recount.
Unless anyone has any suggestions on the best way to prevent any build up of rust underneath. Looking for one and done.

 

I don't know how necessary it is to coat the bottom. If it's in good shape I would maybe just wash in and fluid film it (along with the rest of the truck) once a year.

 

While you have it off maybe try and clean out the area where the wheel well and bed side meet with air and spray something up in that area? Sand, small rocks n shit gets up in there and chisels from the inside out over time and rust starts eventually

 

Are you talking about rust encapsulator or something different? All I know is the rust encapsulator shouldn't be used if the surface isn't rusty.

 

That's good to know. I guess id be in the market for some kind of rust preventative then. Honestly, a good layer of grease seems like the best option.

 

Fluid Film. Hit the carwash with the undercarriage wash and then spray with fluid film in the fall before the snow falls. That's how I do it every year and no rust.

 

Ive used the fluid film before. Good stuff. For underneath the bed, I'm wanting something that won't wash off after a season. Probably looking at 5th wheel grease