Opinions on what to do with my damaged bed

Bought this truck from my buddy for pretty cheap a couple of years ago and finally found someone to buy my bed liner, so now I'm going to have the bed Line-X'd or something similar. Anyways my buddy rear ended a van before he sold it to me and I've replaced most of the items damaged from the accident, but I'm not sure what to do with the bed. It rattles against the cab on occasion. Based on these pictures you think I should take a rubber mallet to it to kind of get it to bend away from the cab? Or are there any other options?

 

I would take it off then take a small sledge to that back end and bend it back..then just 're attach it.

 

A tree, a come along, and a thin hook will pull it right back. Every truck I've ever owned ended up looking like that from coming in too hot with the dirt bike.

 

Leaving the bed in place, Drill a 1/2 dia.hole thru the stiffened/thickened edge and a 6" to one foot long metal plate(the plate will prevent the metal of the truck from bending at the pulling point) mounted between the bed and the cab,(you might have to use a crowbar or wedges to mount the plate) and push a 3/8"eyebolt(length to fit) thru the bed and plate plus washer and nut! Attach a come-a-long/chainfall to the eye bolt and secure the ratcheting end to something heavier/more stable than your truck! Chock your wheels. You will probally have to slightly over bend(go futher than you need) the edge to get it close to straight! Take it slow, an pause every now and then to give the metal time to return to its shape! Release and check for straightness! You may have to go thru the tightening sequence several times to get it just right. PS, Once the cable/chain is taut, lay a blanket or heavy jacket on it ,in case something gives in a hurry, the cloth will act as a shock absorber for personal protection!

 

Take the time and just unbolt the bed and slide it back so you can get to the back side and persuade it back this way you won't have to drill any holes in your bed.

 

Mine had the same exact bowed front bed panel. Took me about 30 minutes to repair it all by myself. I took the bed bolts out, tilted the bed over onto the tailgate end, and stood it up. (It sat on a big foam mat) Then I grabbed the bowed out panel by hand and hung on it, using only my body weight, it pretty much popped back into place. I weigh 180lbs. I placed a piece of steel tubing along side it to make sure it was straight...tug here, push here, done. Laid it back down and bolted it back together and it looks good enough for me. While I had the bed off, I pressure washed the bare rear frame and sealed the drivers side cab vent shut with silicone sealant because I was tired of hearing air movement while driving.(reg cab) Good luck.

 

I'm wondering if I should install a wheel chock in the bed of my truck then, since it could be my motorcycle that caused this too. Or has anyone tried reinforcing their bed at that point?

 

Just use your tiedown straps, the ones that have the little winch. One end hooked to the rear tiedown hook. The other hook over the lip of the bent part. Start tightening. It will straighten out.

 

I pulled mine by hand, just put some ass in it and it'll move.