bed progress
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Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Mt. Home, ID
bed progress
So I finally have primer on the bed. I put a couple of pics in a new album but pictures and I just don't get along well.
All of the swiss cheese rust was cut out. New metal was welded in. I doubled the front end on the outside and the bedsides on the inside. After pimering the inside of the original bedsides, I sprayed rubberized undercoating into the gap and then hung the new inner panels. I'm getting a lot better with my welding, but it's still noticeably amatuerish.
I had to completely rebuild the rear crossmember since nobody makes one for an express bed. The ends were ok, so I ordered a new piece for a 1/2 ton and basically put it inside what was left of the old one. The top was toast also, so I remade that part with 14 ga. Again, my welds are anything but pretty, but I guarantee it's stout! All together I think the bed weighs an extra 60 lbs or so. Now I have to finish smoothing everything over with filler so I can get color on it and start bolting the truck together.
Mike
All of the swiss cheese rust was cut out. New metal was welded in. I doubled the front end on the outside and the bedsides on the inside. After pimering the inside of the original bedsides, I sprayed rubberized undercoating into the gap and then hung the new inner panels. I'm getting a lot better with my welding, but it's still noticeably amatuerish.
I had to completely rebuild the rear crossmember since nobody makes one for an express bed. The ends were ok, so I ordered a new piece for a 1/2 ton and basically put it inside what was left of the old one. The top was toast also, so I remade that part with 14 ga. Again, my welds are anything but pretty, but I guarantee it's stout! All together I think the bed weighs an extra 60 lbs or so. Now I have to finish smoothing everything over with filler so I can get color on it and start bolting the truck together.
Mike
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From: Mt. Home, ID
I'm serious, me and digital pictures just don't get along. There should be an album in my profile titled 'Bed'.
I know I have a photo bucket account. I'll keep trying to post them.
Mike
I know I have a photo bucket account. I'll keep trying to post them.
Mike
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Joined: May 2010
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From: Austin
Hey Mike,
Wow - You had to do some major surgery on your bed.
We had a lot of structural work to do but the actual metal sides
were ok. My hats off to you - nice work!
We don't get that kind of rust down here - just the normal cab corner variety.
Ben in Austin
Wow - You had to do some major surgery on your bed.
We had a lot of structural work to do but the actual metal sides
were ok. My hats off to you - nice work!
We don't get that kind of rust down here - just the normal cab corner variety.
Ben in Austin
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From: Mt. Home, ID
Thanks. All the major rust is right along where the original bed wood rested. I'm guessing the wood held the moisture there and caused the rust.
http://i1201.photobucket.com/albums/bb342/mdc1969/beforework.jpg[/IMG][IMG]
[/IMG]I still don't have the hang of this, but I think a couple of pictures should show up.
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From: Mt. Home, ID
It's an AGE chassis. Probably from a JP-8 recovery tank. Makes a great wagon for disassembled trucks.
My buddy is going to use it for a telescope mount when I'm done with it so he covered the reflectors with tape so we wouldn't paint over them.
My buddy is going to use it for a telescope mount when I'm done with it so he covered the reflectors with tape so we wouldn't paint over them.
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I like your cart. A much better solution than mine.
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