Hi Ben,
 I did a complete bed replacement on a older, (80's) ford f-250.  It was
a great project, one I wouldn't mind doing again.  In my case the truck
was previously owned by a clammer here on long island, so the bed was
rusted through from salt water, but the cab was mint and it ran great.   I
stripped the old bed off little by little, I used a grinder to cut it up
where it wasn't rusted through, it came off easier than I hopped for.  I
then treated the frame with a rust converter ( a product called extend)
Then started to build a new bed out of pressure treated wood.  I laid
4x4's on the two main rails and bolted them right through the main rail
frame, so now I had a flat surface to work from I also used 4x4's across
and then 2x6's  in line from front to rear.  Then some side work, a bumper
was very easy.  I also took the ford lights which were verticle in the
80's and laid them down giving it a great look.  The tail gate  was a 2x12
pressure treated piece with HD barrel bolts, one on each side.  It came
out great It was one of my favorite projects.  It was so good I bought the
truck for $2900.00 drove it and worked it for 4 years and sold it for
$3600.00
 I dont know what your skill level is but I do maintenance work for 20
years and am very familiar with power tools wood and metal work.  If you
think the truck is worth it and you have the skill level by all means go
for it, take your time do everything right and when your done you will
have a "one of a kind", a head turner.Any questions e-mail me. good luck,

frank
franknlizob@yahoo.com

If you can find a complete rear bed (sides, floor, tailgate) in a junk
yard in good condition, it is an easy sway. A few bolts (6?) and an
electrical conenctor and you can pull the old bed off and set the new
bed on.

Ed

If you can find a complete rear bed (sides, floor, tailgate) in a junk
yard in good condition, it is an easy sway. A few bolts (6?) and an
electrical conenctor and you can pull the old bed off and set the new
bed on.

Ed