rusted right thru

motdaugrnds · #1 03/20/07, 07:39 AM

Hello,
I have a 1978 Ford pickup with a bed having holes rusted right through the floor so I can see the ground below. Is there anyway to repair it? I sure cannot afford another pickup.

Clifford · #2 03/20/07, 07:43 AM

Find a bed liner that will fit. Either that, or go to a salvage yard and see if they have a truck bed for that model and year. Should be able to pick up one or the other...

JBourne76 · #3 03/20/07, 07:50 AM

I don't know any details, but my dad used fiberglass to cover the holes. He fiberglassed the whole inside of the bed. Worked well. His Ford was a '74.

**Cabin Fever** · #4 03/20/07, 07:54 AM

I'd be more concerned about the integrity of the floor in the cab. My 1978 Chev plow truck has a floor that I can see thru. In other words, I see the asphalt under my feet while I'm driving down the road.

SW Ohio · #5 03/20/07, 08:02 AM

They make patch panels for pick up beds. LMC has them and have been a decent company to deal with:

http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/fc/0019.asp

$30 for a 15 3/4 by 48 inch.

Good luck with your repair.

Brian.

susieM · #6 03/20/07, 08:04 AM

Weld another floor onto it.

big rockpile · #7 03/20/07, 08:14 AM

Could always take it off and put a Wood Flatbed on it.

big rockpile

bill not in oh · #8 03/20/07, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by big rockpile

Could always take it off and put a Wood Flatbed on it.

big rockpile

That's what I would probably do unless I could find a descent one at the bone yard...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cabin Fever

I'd be more concerned about the integrity of the floor in the cab. My 1978 Chev plow truck has a floor that I can see thru. In other words, I see the asphalt under my feet while I'm driving down the road.

Convenient if your brakes fail...

fantasymaker · #9 03/20/07, 08:47 AM

Just put a wood floor in the bed thats there.

OkieDavid · #10 03/20/07, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cabin Fever

I'd be more concerned about the integrity of the floor in the cab. My 1978 Chev plow truck has a floor that I can see thru. In other words, I see the asphalt under my feet while I'm driving down the road.

Sure would save on all those nasty smelling spit cups though

David

65284 · #11 03/20/07, 09:58 AM

A 4X8 piece of 3/4 inch treated exterior plywood will fit nicely between the wheel wells. Bolted down it makes a very serviceable and relatively cheap floor. If you have the inclination and time you could even buy an extra sheet and fill out the space between the edge of the bed and the 4X8 piece. I did this with an old
Dodge pickup and it was still in pretty good shape when I got rid of it 5 years later.

mrglock27 · #12 03/20/07, 11:55 PM

I vote for plywood too. 5/8 inch cdx, it's like 15 bucks, slap it in there drill four holes, one in each corner, bolt it down. BAM!!! DONE $20 bucks total including bolts. You'll be good to go for 10 years.

largentdepoche · #13 03/21/07, 04:54 AM

We just put carpeting over the holes in my Mom's Matador we had growing up. I'd get in trouble for lifting the mats and dumping Barbie stuff onto the highway LOL!

Kat

motdaugrnds · #14 03/21/07, 09:12 AM

Thank you all. I will check out the options you have given me at the bone yard; also the fibreglass to coat the bed and the plywood to be bolted, assumming I have enough metal in the right places to bolt it down.

jerzeygurl · #15 03/21/07, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cabin Fever

I'd be more concerned about the integrity of the floor in the cab. My 1978 Chev plow truck has a floor that I can see thru. In other words, I see the asphalt under my feet while I'm driving down the road.

in my first truck that was a problem, so dad welded in a new floor...