New guy here...beds and erector sets

I'm getting on board the Taco Train shortly I think, and have a few questions that I'm hoping someone can help with.

Bed size/construction: Can you graft a 6 foot bed from an extended cab onto a double cab frame? Doable, impossible, annoying?

Related, I believe the bed is composed of multiple pieces that I have to assume are welded together, and not *just* bolted together correct? So if I had a damaged rear "quarter panel" I'd need to grind welds and then weld in a replacement piece (per the parts diagrams I've seen).

Yeah, I searched, but couldn't find the answers to these questions. If I missed them, happy to receive pointers to threads.

Thanks in advance!
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It's doable. There is a thread around here with details. Ultimately, the bed is shaped differently where it meets up with the cab, so the 6' bed doesn't flow quite right into the double cab. It involves modifying the frame as well.

If you have the ability- (tools, time, etc..) anything is possible. But this is more in the impracticable bucket.

 

Welcome to the forum!! Always good to know where your located

If you can Fabricate most anything can be done. cut out the damaged section weld in a new (used) piece as needed .

The complete bedside is also an option or a complete bed .

Being Cost effective or practical is a different question .

pictures are always a great help.

 

Thanks gents! So with one question answered, I kept digging.

Cool - I found a vid that shows the sides can be replaced individually without welding, which would be AWESOME! Of course finding one that's already painted to reduce costs would be the next challenge, but that's OK. Video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBk3EXLrt8Q

Not posting pics yet because I don't want anyone sniping my soon to be truck! Note, I'm also in the Lehigh Valley @Bivouac - Bethlehem here. I'll update my profile.

 

That might be, but don't go off that video if you're getting a 1st gen ('94-04'), as he's working on a 2nd gen. Totally different bed design.

 

Be careful 2nd Generation Beds are completely different then 1 st generation trucks

I am Between Pa 309 and Pa 143on the South side of the Blue Mountain.

 

Blue is our "home mountain", so I'm up there all the time snowboarding. This is exactly why I want a Tacoma!

 

Don't know what I'll need just yet, but thanks!

 

You aware of the frame issues if your buying a truck any place that ever sees winter Chemicals .

There is a thread in the first generation sticky threads about what to look for.

 

After another hour of searching, it appears that the 1st gen are at least spot welded and not bolt together. I'll confirm that when I take a better look this week, but figured I'd update the thread for future reference.

 

Yup - did that research already, but thanks for pointing it out!

 

And ugh - didn't even know that was a thing - but also seems like a total nightmare now! I'll either hold out for a bed replacement or live with what I have/take it to a body shop if I decide to buy.

 

If you source the parts and help I would be glad to remove and weld the new sections in.

if you decide to proceed in this way.