78/79 series bed vs. 75 series bed

[beanz2]

I have a chance to get an almost brand new factory bed from a well body HZJ79 ute. My 75 series has severe rust issues in the bed that I think it would cost me more to fix than to find another.

I know that the 79 series has a longer chassis than the 75, but isn't all that added length because of the longer cabin? Do you think a 79 series bed would fit a 75 with only minor modifications? I'd hate to pass this chance up as the 79 series bed is in excellent condition.

Thanks for any help, guys.

Dave

[mickbeny]

Hi all...Beanz2.Ive got a 79 series.And had a bunch of 75s.I wouldnt be suprized if it bolts straight up.If it doesnt it wouldnt take to much to make it fit.

[Tooheys]

Because of the added 100mm in the cab they will not bolt straight up. The mounts are all the same spacing but the first mount back from the
cab is offset by around 100mm from memory. So a 79 tray will bolt to a 75 but have an ugly gap and a 75 tray will hit the back of the cab on a 79 before it bolts up.

It's been awhile since ive done tray swaps like this atwork so it might be the other way around but i know there is definitely a difference between the two.

So if you move the mounting points on the tray or make up some brackets to shift it the required distance it should be all apples.


Paul

[beanz2]

Thanks for the replies, guys.

I can move or make new mounts, but the crucial dimension is the distance between the cab and the wheel well. If this is too far off, it would require moving the rear diff or extending/shortening the entire bed. In my 75, the distance is 66 cm (see pic). Anyone have this dimensions for a 79 series?

Dave

[rockcrawler31]

hmmmm, bed trays = rust problems, panel damage, limit flex on rear.

just make up a flat tray. then you got more room for the mattress and the missus

[Tooheys]

I dont have any style sides like that at work to suit a 79 but i can measure the distance from the back of the cab to the centre of the
wheel for you off a 79 if that helps

Paul

[mule75]

i thought the 78/9 had a 250mm longer wheelbase and a 100mm longer cab so your cab to rear wheel should be 150mm different.

[Tooheys]

The 78 Series ute cab - technically a 79 Series - had a 200mm wheelbase increase over the 75 Series and a 120mm increase in cabin length for more interior space.

so it should be about 80mm but im pretty sure it has always been more than that because when you put the wrong tray on the wrong ute it sticks out like dogs balls

[beanz2]

I dont have any style sides like that at work to suit a 79 but i can measure the distance from the back of the cab to the centre of the
wheel for you off a 79 if that helps

Paul

I'd appreciate it if you can tell me that measurement, Paul.

Cheers,
Dave

[Tooheys]

Measured it this morning, sorry for the delay i kept forgetting. From the back of the cab to the centre of the wheel on a 79 is 1130mm. Also it is 240mm from the back of the cab to the first mount for the tray.

Paul

[beanz2]

Thanks, Paul. On the 75 the distance from the cab to the wheel centre is 1067mm. The first tray mount is 165mm. So a 79 tray will not fit a 75 without much surgery Thanks again.

Dave