New truck body pics

[HMW]

finally remembered to bring camera. I am making an aluminum flat bed for my wife's new work truck and have taken some pics. I started by removing the original 8' bed. I then made the top of the frame staright by using sqaure tubing and then spliting it to the correct height. Then I welded them to a 3/8" piece of flat bar. Its bolted in the original body bolt holes and supported in the same places as the original body. I then ripped a piece of oak and bolted on top of the flat bar. I counter sunk the bolts and painted it all

[HMW]

Forgot to add attchments, so here is a couple

[HMW]

Some more pics of frame

[HMW]

I've got all the cross members on and the main mounting brackets made. I used all exsiting holes in the trucks frame and bolted the plates to the aluminum channel. In case the aluminum doesnt hold up I can change the brackets to steel. The rear brackets will have springs inside them but their not on there now. I notiched the ends of the cross channel pieces to fit inside the channel where the floor pates will line up. i'm going to put the band around the outside next and more braces. I'll post more as I get further. Bed is now off the truck so more welding can be done with out fear of damaging an electronic component.

[MintSScout]

Oh purdy. Make sure to add more pics as you progress along. Is it a gasser or diesel?

[HMW]

Gas 5.4. didn't want the diesel. The truck will never be heavy loaded and will be driven around a resort town. I'm not a big fan of the 6.0. Even though they run very strong. We have lots of them were I work and have had to work on them often with some pretty expensive repairs. [head gaskets, injectors etc]The old 7.3 did better by us. The new 6.4 the jury is still out. We now are buying the 6.6 duramaxs and so far no issues except lots of instrument clusters. I'm sure this should make the Ford diesel lovers scream

[garth]

HMW looks good so far what is ths off set rail for? the sheet onnly that wide or is there a purpose for it? just wondering keep the pics coming thanks for the post.

[HMW]

The sheet is 4' wide so the seam will be off center. its 8' long. i didnt want to cut both sheets to run it the other way. The left over piece from the narrow section I will use for the rear. That aluminum diamond plate is to high to waste. Something like $300 a sheet

[welder13]

You may have said this in a previous post I missed but why aluminum?

[wireburner]

nice bed ,even a nicer truck!