buds truck Posted August 24, 2012 Report Share Posted August 24, 2012 It is alot of work for a very subtle change, but I just didn't like the way the back of the cab was curved and the front of the bed was straight. Seeing as my truck is a custom, it just made sense to try this. I had a spare back of a cab, so I measured and cut it to the same size as the front of the bed, I added side plates to it tonight. Tomorrow I will weld in the bottom piece and bend a piece of 1 inch conduit to mimic the upper tube on the stock front piece. Here are some pics so you can get a visual of what I am trying to accomplish. In case you are wondering what I am going to do with the front piece..... it will be transformed into a new tailgate soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave5711 Posted August 24, 2012 Report Share Posted August 24, 2012 Looks good. Good idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desotodav Posted August 24, 2012 Report Share Posted August 24, 2012 Interesting approach for customising your truck Bud. You'll have it looking as good as an Aussie truck before you know it !!! Desotodav Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buds truck Posted August 25, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 25, 2012 Interesting approach for customising your truck Bud.You'll have it looking as good as an Aussie truck before you know it !!! Desotodav that, sir, is a beauty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
48Dodger Posted August 25, 2012 Report Share Posted August 25, 2012 I like the idea bud.... Do you have square fenders or round? If you have the square, I wonder if square tubing would look better? I believe the tailgate is square tube. 48D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buds truck Posted August 25, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 25, 2012 HAHAHAHAHAHHA, too late, the front is finished, I will upload pix soon. It turned out absolutely great, beyond what I had hoped for. I have the square fenders, but the front of the bed had a round tube, so that is what I went with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buds truck Posted August 25, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 25, 2012 ok, I am gonna do the long route on this because I want you guys to see that something can be done with few specialty tools and some down home yankee ingenuity. I started by cutting out a couple of 2 inch strips from scrap flat sheet metal, I don't have a metal brake, but I do have a couple large pieces of angle iron that I vice gripped the pieces in and slowly hammered them over to make the 90 degree bends. I needed to put a curve in them and since I also do not own a shrinker/stretcher, I laid the bottom edge on a piece of railroad iron, hit it along the entire length a few times (checking the fit as I went) until I got the curve right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buds truck Posted August 25, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 25, 2012 now you can see the curve caused by stretching the bottom. I spot welded the 2 pieces to the bottom of the newly made front section and ground off the excess welds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buds truck Posted August 25, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 25, 2012 I had purchased a length of 1 1/2 inch conduit for the top round cap, I put the ends on blocks and pushed down on the center area until I got the correct curve (I don't have a tubing bender either ). I measured and tacked it into place, re-measured and then re-measured again before welding it on permanantly. I ground off the excess welds, measured and cut the ends so they would mount flush with the bedsides. Then I blocked it up and checked it against the cab to make sure I hadn't buggered it up. It looks great!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buds truck Posted August 25, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 25, 2012 last few pics are a rear view pic and then with the front mounted on the bed. Hope you guys like the thread. I just want to show what anyone can do without alot of special equipment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merle Coggins Posted August 25, 2012 Report Share Posted August 25, 2012 Good fab work. Looks good. Merle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sniggle_t Posted August 26, 2012 Report Share Posted August 26, 2012 That looks awesome! Keep up the great work! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ggdad1951 Posted August 26, 2012 Report Share Posted August 26, 2012 wow! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
48Dodger Posted August 26, 2012 Report Share Posted August 26, 2012 Yah.....square tubing would be better......I think you should start over. lol....bitchin work Bud! 48D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave5711 Posted August 26, 2012 Report Share Posted August 26, 2012 It does look awesome. I like little changes that make the trucks make more sense. It takes the truck in a different direction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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