How much for a bed?- for a Ford dually

[newbury]

I've recently run across three CL ads for Ford 2003 diesel duallys w/o a bed at great prices.

Does anyone have a SWAG of what putting on a standard bed would cost? A flatbed?

thanks

 

[sandman2234]

First place to check for a bed is with people that install work beds on new trucks. I put one on a Chevy 1500 back in 97 and it cost me $500 for the bed. Probably harder to find now that the truck is that old.
Another question, is that the 6.0 motor that everyone is complaining about? That might be why they are going so cheap?
David from jax

 

[Degolyerent]

2003 was the year that Ford changed to the 6.0 motor the early year trucks had the 7.3 motor and later they went to 6.0 motor
You do not want the 6.0 they are junk, problems with heads, make sure it is the 7.3 motor!
If you research this you will know!BEWARE!!!!!

 

[3BPercherons]

2003 was the year that Ford changed to the 6.0 motor the early year trucks had the 7.3 motor and later they went to 6.0 motor
You do not want the 6.0 they are junk, problems with heads, make sure it is the 7.3 motor!
If you research this you will know!BEWARE!!!!!

Wow. I wish I had known this back in 2003 when I bought the 6.0 F250 I'm currently driving. Since it hasn't happened yet, exactly when should I expect to begin having problems with my engine's cylinder head?

 

[RoyJackson]

Wow. I wish I had known this back in 2003 when I bought the 6.0 F250 I'm currently driving. Since it hasn't happened yet, exactly when should I expect to begin having problems with my engine's cylinder head?

They weren't all problematic...but there were a lot of problems with many of the Ford 6.0L diesels. Bad enough problems where Ford bought several hundred back from the owners. There was enough horror stories that I bypassed a really clean 2005 F350 with the 6.0L....nice truck, otherwise...low mileage for $22K.
So, consider yourself fortunate!

 

[newbury]

Thanks sandman2234 for the price point.

I'm looking for a 2002-2003 Ford dually diesel for the tow capacity for my 12,000 lb trailer. I have totally ignored any non 7.3L Fords in my quest for something to haul my tractor. In other threads we've thrashed all the makes and models.

Here I'm now interested in the bed.

 

[56FordGuy]

Here I'm now interested in the bed.

There is a difference in pickup body trucks and flat bed/ service body trucks.

If a truck came from the factory with a pickup bed, the frame will be slightly wider and curved behind the cab. If the truck came from the factory as a cab and chassis, the frame will be a bit narrower and straight behind the cab. I don't think either one is really better than the other, but be sure you know which one you're looking at when you start pricing beds. If you want to put a pickup bed on it, make sure it's not a cab and chassis truck. Most cab and chassis trucks are designed for at least a 9' bed, and with the frame being a slightly different width it takes a lot of work to put a regular bed on one. It's possible, but it's pretty labor intensive.

There's a local flatbed place that sells an 8' by 9' steel flatbed for cab and chassis trucks for 1,090 or so. Not sure what the specs on it are, or if that includes install. Just seen their sign. They usually have some pickup beds sitting in the lot.

 

[newbury]

THANKS!!

I did not know they had different frames. And also thanks for the price point.

There is a difference in pickup body trucks and flat bed/ service body trucks.

If a truck came from the factory with a pickup bed, the frame will be slightly wider and curved behind the cab. If the truck came from the factory as a cab and chassis, the frame will be a bit narrower and straight behind the cab. I don't think either one is really better than the other, but be sure you know which one you're looking at when you start pricing beds. If you want to put a pickup bed on it, make sure it's not a cab and chassis truck. Most cab and chassis trucks are designed for at least a 9' bed, and with the frame being a slightly different width it takes a lot of work to put a regular bed on one. It's possible, but it's pretty labor intensive.

There's a local flatbed place that sells an 8' by 9' steel flatbed for cab and chassis trucks for 1,090 or so. Not sure what the specs on it are, or if that includes install. Just seen their sign. They usually have some pickup beds sitting in the lot.

 

[56FordGuy]

If you want to go with a flatbed, either frame type will work for you. I would expect prices on flatbeds to be similar, but be sure you specify if you have a pickup frame. I'm a big fan of the flatbed if you're doing a lot of towing/ hauling/ farm work.

 

[Soundguy]

is it a f450 or f350? my 99 f450 was cab/chassie and has a custom bed on it.

late 03 could be a 6.0 or 7.3

I have a 6.0 in an 04 f250.. good truck. my 99 f450 has the 7.3.. good truck

I'm planning on getting another f350 to replace the wifes yukon when it dies.. am looking at an 01 and 03 right now... trying to decide which to get...

soundguy