XM215 bed options

[tburk49760]

I can't locate the correct dump bed for my truck an the current bed is way wrong and beat to ****. I found a M211 fairly close with a great bed and tailgate. Anyone see any reason I can't do this? I can fab most anything. Ideas?

 

[M215]

The M215 dump bed was very unique, only common with the early Reo M59 dumpers. Finding an original will be tough since these have all seen 50-60 years of abuse. The M211 bed is 2'-3' longer and wider. Guess with lots of effort you could do anything. Might be easier to find a similar commercial dump bed.
Good luck.

 

[hendersond]

I cannot remember what your's looks like. Are you going for original or just useful?

 

[tburk49760]

Since mine already has the wrong engine and transmission, I'm not really concerned about too original. I would however like it look like it belongs. The current bed is way too large and absolute garbage.

 

[hendersond]

Well then the M211 bed is a reasonable choice! Good luck and keep us posted.

Edit:
I just looked at your previous posts. That thing sounds great and looks tough! How hard would it be to modify/make/repair what you have? I'd be tempted to plasma the thing down to its base structure and re-construct it. $500 forth of .125 plate would probably do it? I don't know where all the seams and joints are but maybe...

 

[tburk49760]

I thought about that for a little bit but looking closely at it there's a bit of rust all over and there's not a straight piece of metal on it anywhere. Plus it really is so large kind of overwhelms the truck. It looks like I only paid about $400 for this cargo bed and the hood and some other minor pieces so I don't know, tough call.