J-pickup bed interchange

[Ranger]

Hi all,
I was wondering if a bed from a 1973 J4000 131 inch wheebase would directly swap onto all 74 and later 131 inch wheelbase J10's and J20's. In other words are all the mounting places the same or did they change them and the frames around?

Thanks for any help,
Ranger

[joe]

That should work. The boxes changed in 73 to the double wall, latch type tailgate and long taillamps so the 73/74 should be the same so long as you stay with the same wheelbase lengths which would be the same for a J-4000 and long box 74. Beware though some of the J-10's in 74 where 120" wheelbase(same as the earlier J-2000's)

[Ranger]

Thanks -joe,
I was also wondering if it should fit ALL post 73 131 inch wheelbase models, for example, late 70's trucks and even into the 80's, or were there differences underneath in the frame/attachment department even though external appearances are the same?

Thanks!
Ranger

[FSJeeper]

The beds will interchange no problem. The gas tanks may not depending on what axle you have.

A 79 and earlier FSJ with a qtrac transfer case has a gas tank that will hit a early or late model centered differential. Also the gas tank mounts are different and some are plastic, some steel.

Beware of the early model 126" WB beds, they will only fit a 69 and earlier 126" Jeep truck but if you are not paying attention, they can look like a 131" wb truck bed.

The Jeep M715 126" WB bed will fit the civilian 126" frames if you use the front 2 mounts.

[chrisnsarah]

Here's something else to watch for, there were 3 bed configurations in the early 70's: Shortbed, longbed, and camper special. I'll go check my sources to be sure, but there was a 120" wb shortbed-wheel wells centered; a 126" wb longbed- wheel wells centered; and a camper special truck with a 132"wb longbed-wheel wells offset to the rear.