Pierce 2T dump Bed Kit Installation: 1999 F250 Superduty 7.3,Auto, long bed, 4wd: 250,000 miles.

Started installation of the Pierce 2T Dump bed conversion yesterday. The bed is off, now some issues. It would be great if an FTE with similar truck might share some photo's of their installation pertaining to a few issues I see.

1) The bumper pivots with the bed and as the instructions warn, it becomes purely decorative since it no longer bolts directly to the frame. The instructions recommend welding new bumper support brackets to the new bed lift hinges. I'd like to see some photos of existing installations. The installation instructions are vague on details here.

2) My truck is equipped with skid plates under the fuel tank. The plate bolts to a frame cross member center line of the truck frame .....right where I need to install the new Long Bed Lower Frame for the kit. can't see a way to mod and keep the skid plate. Do I need to get rid of it?

3) Fuel filler, the instructions direct the use of a new (supplied) filler pipe that becomes accessible inside the drivers side wheel well. ? really ? Access there sounds awkward for my 70 year old bones. Something's gotta happen because the stock filler can't possibly rotate when the bed pivots up. Checking clearance in the old bed filler location, it seems I might be able to fix the filler neck in the old location (with a new support). This by cutting out / enlarging the sheet metal for clearance inside the filler door. Anybody try this?

4) 2" hitch receiver: Not sure but it looks like the bumper may push on it when the bed is elevated. The instructions suggest several solutions involving custom bumpers or moving the hitch receiver forward on the frame (can't because of the spare tire location). Since the truck has a lot of clearance anyway I may use some 1" thick steel blocks to lower the hitch receiver. Anyone try it?

5) Wiring up the pump and controls. The instructions refer to a wiring diagram. There is no diagram. There are some text instructions, a pump photo shown on a bench without wiring, a tethered control photo with it's harness. there is no real wiring diagram that shows the whole thing wired on a single sheet. I suspect this is because there are a number of options and Pierce didn't feel it could supply a diagram for all. I enclosed a pdf diagram of my own, hope it works, may still be an error or 2. So I want to bench check the entire thing before installation ....not sure I can run the Bucher hydraulic pump dry for a few seconds.

6) Pierce: I like these guys. When I call someone is there who is truly helpful. From Texas, the company shipped my 2T kit, power up and down, with wireless remote, to my house shipping free on a lift gate truck in 5 days. AND no sales tax currently running 10.1% here on the left coast. I got the kit almost $200 cheaper direct then from our local dealers who do charge shipping for a 120 miles AND tax. (sorry dealers, the toot hurts yes?)

7) The kit components look good. Good welding. US made pump assembly. Quality Grade 8 cad plate bolts, washers and locknuts. The kind that costs $2 and up each at ACE Hdw. All the fabricated steel parts have been painted, blue for attachment to the bottom of the bed, red for the hydraulic scissor, black for truck frame. The instructions are good but would be better with good photos of each installation step and mod. One good photo is worth 10,000 words.

I know I know why bother with such an old truck. Well, she still looks good, runs strong, gives me 19 mpg on the freeway. She has an Edge chip. EVERYTHING works. rolled off the showroom new in Seward Alaska late 1998 according to my VIN report. She's named Cynthia, And yes I am the 4th owner. all previous owners being dead. Really. The dogs love it. ....mileage was checked using hand held GPS logs on my trip home from Texas where I bought her then out to the left coast.