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Title: eglaisi's tube bed Post by: eglaisi on June 21, 2010, 07:03:06 PM So last year when I was putting a new cab on my Hardbody, I got to thinking and figured a full tube bed would be perfect for the truck. I don't need a full box since I have a Frontier as a daily. After much internet surfing (mostly on pirate) and lots of thought, I landed on an All-Pro style bed. I really like the looks and durability of them. Of course I'm making it all myself and will change some things to suit me. Biggest difference will be the fact that it's going to be bolted on versus All-pro's welded design. I'm also adding a tailgate, a toolbox, different rollbar hoop design, and it will be integrated into the trailgear sliders. Pics do the rest of the talking:
(http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b97/eglaisi/06082010186.jpg) (http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b97/eglaisi/06122010212.jpg) (http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b97/eglaisi/06122010214.jpg) (http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b97/eglaisi/06122010215.jpg) (http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b97/eglaisi/06122010221.jpg) (http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b97/eglaisi/06122010220.jpg) (http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b97/eglaisi/06122010223.jpg) Next up is mounting the sliders so I can build the rollbar off them. Here's All-Pros bed for example: (http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b97/eglaisi/02102010031.jpg) Title: Re: eglaisi's tube bed Post by: penski61 on June 21, 2010, 08:41:16 PM you hacking any of the frame off? looks good so far , id like to do a tube bed but Natalie hates it
Title: Re: eglaisi's tube bed Post by: eglaisi on June 21, 2010, 09:43:39 PM Definitely. 2" or so past the shackle mounts. I'm welding in some rectangular tubing as another crossmember/rear bumper at the rear of the frame. In the bumper there will be a 2" receiver, 2 clevis mounts, and some sort of license plate mount. LED tail lights are going in the tailgate.
Title: Re: eglaisi's tube bed Post by: eglaisi on June 22, 2010, 09:26:22 PM Started on the sliders tonight after work, got a little progress done. Pics:
(http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b97/eglaisi/06222010239.jpg) (http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b97/eglaisi/06222010241.jpg) (http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b97/eglaisi/06222010232.jpg) (http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b97/eglaisi/06222010243.jpg) (http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b97/eglaisi/06222010244.jpg) Here's how I'm mounting the rollbar/bed: (http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b97/eglaisi/06222010247.jpg) This way IMO is better than welding it the frame. The short section of tube that comes off the bushing is the mock rollbar obviously. The rest are welded to the frame. The part where it's a 90deg corner at the end will be a peice of tube that I bend the corner in, asthetic reasons. Tomorrow I hope to have 1 side tacked on and hopefully started on the otherside. Title: Re: eglaisi's tube bed Post by: helix66 on June 22, 2010, 09:38:02 PM Looks really cool, how are you doing the "fishmouths" or tube notching? I remember seeing a way to do it on pirate using a chopsaw.
Title: Re: eglaisi's tube bed Post by: penski61 on June 22, 2010, 09:38:59 PM why not buy some tube clamps? i know they are a little expensive but you wont have any play in the bed plus they wont ware like the bushings
Title: Re: eglaisi's tube bed Post by: eglaisi on June 23, 2010, 09:56:17 PM Tube notching was already done on those legs... came from trailgear. When I do need to notch, I have a hole-saw type notcher waiting to be used. That, and I'll try the chop saw method.... see which one works better.
As for tube clamps vs bushings.... I could have gone in many directions to do this... just landed on this one. I doubt there will be play in the bed, it's got 6 other mounts not to mention how stiff the polyurethane is. Not really concerned about wear either, I figure if it's good enough for suspension bushings... it'll be fine. That being said though, this is my first tube bed and everything's a guess. If it doesn't work, I'll mod it till it does :thumbup: Isn't that the fun part? Oh, nothing new today, started tacking the sliders and found out I ran out of MIG wire :cover: Title: Re: eglaisi's tube bed Post by: helix66 on June 23, 2010, 10:47:55 PM I want a garage & a welder....with a view of the surf.....guess it's mega millions time!
Title: Re: eglaisi's tube bed Post by: Bobby B. on June 24, 2010, 11:31:47 PM Like where you're going with this.
On another note...what type of wheels are those. Kind of digging them. Title: Re: eglaisi's tube bed Post by: eglaisi on June 25, 2010, 07:19:51 AM Thanks. The wheels are from Summit Racing. 50/51 series, 15x10 with a huge -44mm offset. I really like the way they look on the truck. The polished aluminum diamond plate I'm putting on the bed should really tie in well with the wheels.
(http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b97/eglaisi/05242010148.jpg) Recently put new calipers on the fronts. Decided to go Cat yellow on them. Looks good against the wheels :cheers: Title: Re: eglaisi's tube bed Post by: helix66 on June 25, 2010, 12:28:14 PM Did you just paint the calipers? If so I'd guess high heat paint?
Title: Re: eglaisi's tube bed Post by: eglaisi on June 25, 2010, 06:44:37 PM Not only high heat paint, but genuine Caterpillar paint (since I have gallons of it!)
Large heat range, holds up well on engines: (http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b97/eglaisi/P1010187.jpg) :thumbup: Title: Re: eglaisi's tube bed Post by: penski61 on June 25, 2010, 08:18:59 PM looks like ill be goin the tube bed route as well , i tried to dovetail the bed and well i destroyed the bed lol
so are you goin for the full truggy look or just the tube bed Title: Re: eglaisi's tube bed Post by: eglaisi on June 25, 2010, 11:01:54 PM See what happens. Planning just the bed for now. I hate the look of exo's... but an interior cage may be in the future. Going to pick up some .030 tomorrow so I can burn it up
Title: Re: eglaisi's tube bed Post by: helix66 on June 26, 2010, 08:17:12 AM Overdone exos may look crappy but they are far more functional than an interior cage...imo.
Title: Re: eglaisi's tube bed Post by: eglaisi on June 26, 2010, 12:59:39 PM Depends on if you care about sheetmetal. I don't.
;D Title: Re: eglaisi's tube bed Post by: eglaisi on June 30, 2010, 10:06:37 PM So both sliders are welded up, not yet on the truck, but they are welded up. Decided to use some 3x3, 3/16 plate at the end of the slider legs, where they're welded to the frame. Redid 2 of the bed mounts to a better way. Cut down some 3" body lift spacers and used them as bushings between the mounts.
I expect to get lot's done this weekend... since it's a 4 day weekend (started tonight :cheers: ). I'll get sliders and bed mounts on the frame welded tomorrow. Maybe throw some tube in the new bender and see what I can do. By the way, I used the hole saw notcher yesterday and loved it! It was way faster than I thought. Just used a cheapy hole saw too. Title: Re: eglaisi's tube bed Post by: eglaisi on July 02, 2010, 08:27:54 PM Sliders are done. Brackets for the ballistic bushings are welded on, and all the bed mounts are solid. Next up is the task of the rollbar.... :D
(http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b97/eglaisi/07022010271.jpg) (http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b97/eglaisi/07022010272.jpg) Title: Re: eglaisi's tube bed Post by: dvdswan on July 25, 2010, 10:36:33 AM looking good, nice work on the sliders.
Title: Re: eglaisi's tube bed Post by: eglaisi on September 24, 2010, 09:29:58 PM (http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b97/eglaisi/09062010420.jpg) (http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b97/eglaisi/09182010456.jpg) (http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b97/eglaisi/09182010452.jpg) (http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b97/eglaisi/09232010474.jpg) (http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b97/eglaisi/09232010473.jpg) Title: Re: eglaisi's tube bed Post by: theking on September 25, 2010, 01:08:38 AM awesome I'd run wood planks for the floor.
Title: Re: eglaisi's tube bed Post by: BlackX on September 25, 2010, 08:04:09 AM Yea that's looking good
Title: Re: eglaisi's tube bed Post by: eglaisi on September 25, 2010, 03:25:04 PM Thanks guys, here's s'more:
(http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b97/eglaisi/09252010475.jpg) (http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b97/eglaisi/09252010481.jpg) (http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b97/eglaisi/09252010477.jpg) (http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b97/eglaisi/09252010476.jpg) (http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b97/eglaisi/09252010484.jpg) I was thinking about laying down 2x6's for the floor, even if its just temporary. Title: Re: eglaisi's tube bed Post by: gitarboyx on October 07, 2010, 06:40:05 PM dang man, nice work. that things lookin sick! kinda makes me want a truck!
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