Original Bed vs Replacement Bed

[B_riginal]

The current bed on my 521 is fairly beat up and you can see the weld spots and a bunch of small outward dents. I thought about tackling the body work myself, one small area at a time (likely over a long period of time) or taking it to a body shop. 

I recently went to a body shop for a quote, $$$ too much right now and I like the patina, I just don't like all the little dents. 

 

so I searched the WWW and found a bed that has almost the same color as my truck but does not have any dents and supposedly no bondo. the bed is a 2 hour drive for me but the price is cheap.

 

My question(s) is:

How do I find the "matching numbers" for the bed? I know the bed was attached here in USA but did it go with a particular truck? does it matter (resale-wise) if I replace the bed which will eventually get painted.?  

[mainer311]

When buying a rusty old Datsun pickup, I don't think many people really care about "matching numbers." I have rows of weld spots and dents in mine too. Just makes the truck a truck I guess. I don't think the beds were ever really perfect from the factory. I'd go with the one that's least rusty.

Edited May 7, 2019 by mainer311

[datzenmike]

All 521 beds were the same. Good contrition trumps color or any other consideration. Get it, put it on and enjoy your 'new' truck.

 

The top of the frame rail on the right side behind the engine mount has a serial number stamped into it that should match the engine tag screwed to the inner left fender? But that's about it.  This ain't a '69 GTO Judge.

[mainer311]

1 hour ago, datzenmike said:

This ain't a '69 GTO Judge.

 

Funny, I know someone who's buying one of these right now.

[B_riginal]

On 5/7/2019 at 8:47 AM, mainer311 said:

 

Funny, I know someone who's buying one of these right now.

I hope it's not the one one I'm looking at. 🙂 ***** obviously I had no idea how the quote function worked. I get it now.

 

You got any pics of the 69 GTO! 

Edited May 9, 2019 by B_riginal
oops

[greenthumb]

yours already looks better than most

[B_riginal]

On 5/7/2019 at 9:44 PM, greenthumb said:

yours already looks better than most

it photographs well but the bed it pretty beat up. Thanks though!

[Charlie69]

Fix what you have.  I know from experience trying to line up a bed from another truck can be a bitch.

[BrothersGarage]

New truck came without a bed, anyone got a 521 they are willing to let go in the PWN HMU 😉