Body work time

[Gots_a_sol]

rust. Someone did patch panels before and did a piss poor job at it, so now its rusted even worse.

[oilcan64]

rust. Someone did patch panels before and did a piss poor job at it, so now its rusted even worse.

that happend to me too. someone did a freakin hack job on my roof so i had to drill all the spot welds and cut it all apart to do it properly. sometimes i think if you dont know what the hell you're doing have someone help you or leave it to someone that knows what they're doing lol

[Gots_a_sol]

Found this for $50 on craigslist so I scooped it up. The shell seems to be in a good shape other than paint. Both latches are fubar and one of the struts is missing. I'll probably use it until I convert to the short bed.







(the aluminum tape was put on by the previous owner to hold on the rubber trim piece, I would never do such a thing)

[Gots_a_sol]

something fell off today



then something else found its way back on. Needs a few mods still lol.



I'll be using this bed to get the frame shortened to where it needs to be. I'm not sure what to do about a usable bed though. Either find another short bed that isn't rotted out or shorten my long bed, which is a crap load of cutting/welding.

[Gots_a_sol]

shes nekkid



learn something new about this truck every day



this is about what needs to go. (I obviously made more precise marks after this pic)



No turning back now




I did find a much nicer short bed and the price they are asking reflects it. I think it is well worth it though since I can sell my long bed to get some of that back. Just gotta come up with that initial bit of cash while waiting for a buyer for the long bed.

[Gots_a_sol]

those won't be needed any more



Nurse, pass me a clamp. And a ratchet strap. I had to get into the b-group of clamps for this one



Initial welding is done. I'll be grinding it smooth and welding a plate over it.



My goal for the day was for the ass end to fit back inside the garage without having to move the rest of the truck. Mission accomplished

[Gots_a_sol]

The one thing I was most concerned about was fitting this huge bastard back under the truck



The rear mount stays in the same place and would work perfect except for that damn bulge on the top of the tank right in front of the fuel sending unit. It hits the bottom of the cab.



The tank would need to hang about 2" lower than stock to clear this. I dunno what to do with this yet.

Victory:

[Hansen01]

WOW, you got quite a bit done, lookin good will be interesting to see the finished product

[Gots_a_sol]

Long shaft



Now a short shaft



So was sitting there staring at the gas tank cussing it out for being plastic so I couldn't just cut off that hump and weld it shut. Then I was like, duh, its plastic. Heat gun + 2x4 =





I did still need to put a 2" spacer between the crossmember and the tank, but it is better than the 3-4" I was going to need

[ahale2772]

are you going to strengthen the section of frame that you welded?

edit.... sorry didnt see that you said that

edit again.... want to sell the flares off the shortbed?

[Gots_a_sol]

yea I'll be plating it.

And sure, $40 plus the ride. They are actually in pretty good shape from what I could see just taking them off.

[BobS]

Could you have used two 2x4's stacked with the heat gun to get enough tank clearance?

[Gots_a_sol]

Maybe, but that is a lot of tank that needs moved around and I didn't want to damage it. This truck spends 98% of its life on pavement, so the slightly lower tank shouldn't be an issue.

[collegekid]

FREAKING GENIUS IDEA, got a similar problem on a customers truck, thank you

[Gots_a_sol]

frame plates






Annnnnnnnnnndddddddddd










Done* I need to go throw a couple hundred pounds back in the bed to get the ass end to sit down again







* I still need to put my receiver and roll pan on. I think I'll probably just screw my tag to the bed until I get a good bed to use. May need to mess with the shims as well, but again, I'll deal with it when I get a good bed to use.