Scratch built bed.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 914
Likes: 71
From: Lavergne, Tn.
Unfortunately, most of the automotive magazines and tv shows are only promoting someone's product. From scratch fabrications are rare.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 191
Likes: 0
From: Old Fort TN
Fabricated my front and rear seal plates tonight. Front is 2x2 rear is 2x4. I also replaced the 1x2 front header piece with a 1x3. I think it looks much better. I mounted everything to the truck to see how it's all lining up so far. Then I went ahead and cut out the stake pockets. Next weekend I'm going to fab up the lower extension panels and start welding things up. It's definitely starting to look like a bed.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 531
Likes: 8
From: Bakersfield, CA
That looks like a metal bed floor. What gauge metal did you use and do anything to reinforce it? Aluminum or steel?
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 191
Likes: 0
From: Old Fort TN
Today I started welding the bed frame and sides together. No more c-clamps lol. Then I fabled up my front lower extension pieces out of some 16ga. It's amazing what you can make with a block of wood, a couple c-clamps and a hammer. They seem to be fitting nicely so far. I still have to cut down my front stake pockets.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 191
Likes: 0
From: Old Fort TN
Started building the tailgate for the bed today. 1st I cut 2 lengths of 1 1/4 tubing 49" wide. Then 2 pieces of 1x2 for the upright pieces. I used 16ga to skin the back and more 16ga to make the slanted pieces for the front. Next will be making hinges and a latch for the tailgate.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 1,580
Likes: 477
From: Kemptville, ON,
So I am reading this with great interest. Thinking of doing this myself. I see you have a bunch of tack welds holding things together right now. Do you make a continues weld later or is the seam filled in some other way?
Sorry I am just learning how to do this hot rod building thing and also learning how to weld.
Marten
Sorry I am just learning how to do this hot rod building thing and also learning how to weld.
Marten
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 191
Likes: 0
From: Old Fort TN
So I am reading this with great interest. Thinking of doing this myself. I see you have a bunch of tack welds holding things together right now. Do you make a continues weld later or is the seam filled in some other way?
Sorry I am just learning how to do this hot rod building thing and also learning how to weld.
Marten
Sorry I am just learning how to do this hot rod building thing and also learning how to weld.
Marten
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New User
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Western North Carolina
I just found this thread and would like to know if anyone has drawings, sketches or measurements they could share.
New User
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Western North Carolina
Thank you. I will check it out.
Marty
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 191
Likes: 0
From: Old Fort TN
After a long delay I'm finally back to work on my 54. I got a few hours in tonight on the bed. Tacked welded some of the center braces..Got a few more spot welds on the front and rear corners of the box and finished welding up the tailgate. I still have a lot of welding to go and a lot of grinding in my near future. Lol.
I'm just happy to be able to get back to work on the truck.
I'm just happy to be able to get back to work on the truck.