El Presidente Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 I'm not done yet, but thought I'd share what I've done. Last time I'll ever see it like this: I spray glued around the window and covered it with plastic to keep the mess to a minimum All prepped up: Started cutting: Started with the bed tops/gate opening Then the bumper subframe(the piece going across the bottom is what the new bumper will attach to) Welding it in: Then the sides and roof bar: Figuring out the tail light housing: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Presidente Posted August 29, 2012 Author Share Posted August 29, 2012 I used 2x4x3/16 wall tube for most of it, 1.5x1.5x3/16 in the outside corner and 14ga sheet for the tail light housings. I don't have turn signals yet, gotta wait till payday.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbbvw Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 Looks freaking Awesome man!:headbang:zzz That's some beefy tubing:eek: Can't wait to see the finished product. Nice work. Jesse Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott in Bellingham Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 (edited) awesome your going to like it, looks strong enuf to be a intrical roll bar, lookin at the pics makes me wanna chop up another wagon, maybe a Legacy this time Edited August 29, 2012 by Scott in Bellingham Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Presidente Posted August 29, 2012 Author Share Posted August 29, 2012 Thanks guys! I used 3/16 because the bed frame will be part of a hybrid exo/subframe. I'm hoping to get the turn signals and reverse lights done this weekend, a tailgate, weld up some brackets for new mirrors(so I can go doorless) and hopefully get started on a removable divider to seal in the passenger compartment. Josh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bratman18 Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 Do you think the weight is about the same? Or will this be heavier in the end? Looks awesome, and strong as hell though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Presidente Posted August 29, 2012 Author Share Posted August 29, 2012 My rear used to sag a little and now its higher than level compared to the front, so I'd say I've reduced weight on the back end. All the metal I bought only weighed 246 pounds and I haven't even used it all. I didn't get a weight of the cut off metal from the back end+glass+interior plastic and sound mat, but driving it feels lighter and not so dumpy on the back end. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subiwag Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 damn! nice work. are you going to close it off from the cab like a mini truck bed? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prwa101 Posted August 30, 2012 Share Posted August 30, 2012 Dude that's awsome!! Makes me wanna do the same thing!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Presidente Posted August 30, 2012 Author Share Posted August 30, 2012 damn! nice work. are you going to close it off from the cab like a mini truck bed? Yes. It will have a weather tight steel removable divider that will go up to the same height as the bed top. It will also have a piece of abrasion resistant acrylic that fills in everything above that, like the glass that was in the stock hatch. The new rear seats will be a custom "stow and go" and when folded down will be even with the bed. The idea being, I can run it sealed up in winter, take the window out in the summer, but still have a divider to keep cargo from sliding back and forth, or I can take both out for full ventilation or if I'm hauling something larger than what the bed can hold. The tailgate will be a swing-down design which will also help with hauling larger stuff, loading/unloading, or a place to sit and drink beer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Presidente Posted August 30, 2012 Author Share Posted August 30, 2012 Dude that's awsome!! Makes me wanna do the same thing!! Thanks! feel free to copy me in every way if you like, your not gonna offend me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prwa101 Posted August 30, 2012 Share Posted August 30, 2012 Thanks! feel free to copy me in every way if you like, your not gonna offend me. thanks man! i was thinking last night what it kinda reminded me of, a HUMMER!! its the shorter length thouse awsome tires and the square look in the rear, pretty awsome! (not a big fan of the non army hummers though, chine cr**) PRWA AAE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bonvo Posted August 31, 2012 Share Posted August 31, 2012 are you gonna close it up? i saw a pic of one where they used the tail gate to enclose the back making a small bed as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Presidente Posted September 6, 2012 Author Share Posted September 6, 2012 Got some more done: The tailgate pins are welded to the tailgate, so if I pull the tailgate, the pins stay with it The start of my divider, this is the removable section: Gonna fill in the sides soon, weld on some mounting tabs, and get the top sealed up with a piece of plexi. Theres also a rain channel at the bottom of the divider to keep water out. It drains just in front of the gas tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subafreak Posted September 6, 2012 Share Posted September 6, 2012 Very nicely executed! That could be one of the cleanest chop jobs I've ever seen! What you plan to do with the insides of the quarter panels? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Presidente Posted September 6, 2012 Author Share Posted September 6, 2012 Very nicely executed! That could be one of the cleanest chop jobs I've ever seen! What you plan to do with the insides of the quarter panels? Thanks! The inside quarter panels are getting removable panels so I can access wiring. Thats what I'm doing next with the material I have. When the bed is done, it will look like a normal truck bed, just a lot smaller. With the new tailgate, it almost sits level, which means I'm still lighter than before the bobb. Next pay check I'm getting a piece of plexi! Josh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subafreak Posted September 6, 2012 Share Posted September 6, 2012 Very cool. Love that tail gate too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bonvo Posted September 6, 2012 Share Posted September 6, 2012 will it have a back seat? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2112 Posted September 6, 2012 Share Posted September 6, 2012 That is very, very cool. Excellent workmanship. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maozebong Posted September 8, 2012 Share Posted September 8, 2012 seriously awesome work you have been doing. very very clean work. i can't wait to see the finished product! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vegablade Posted September 9, 2012 Share Posted September 9, 2012 Looks really good! I most definitely can't wait to see this thing in person. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Presidente Posted October 24, 2012 Author Share Posted October 24, 2012 Been a while since I updated, but I've still been welding away. Got the bed boxed in Added a little support using some grade B sch.80 1 1/2" pipe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Presidente Posted October 24, 2012 Author Share Posted October 24, 2012 (edited) Got a flange welded in the opening and a piece of plexi cut to get it all sealed in. Started finishing up missing welds like on the rear quarter panels. I had to bird turd some beads up to fill some bad fitting work, but it is a wheeler, it is getting covered in bed liner, and it is strong. What the interior looks like right now Edited October 24, 2012 by El Presidente Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Presidente Posted October 24, 2012 Author Share Posted October 24, 2012 So far so good. Theres been some heavy rains around here the last couple weeks and other than a couple expected leaks, it all stays dry, even without a gasket for the plexi. I've got some final welds on the roof and c pillar to finish up, then the entire exterior will get covered in bedliner to seal up the fresh metal. Now that the rear is almost done I'm getting a better idea what the rear seats and center console will be like. I'm also giving some thought to cutting about 12"(from the front of the front bumper) off the front of the car. The radiator will go in the hood and vent straight up, so I can put whatever grill/panel I want an inch or two away from the belt cover as long as it is removable for service and engine removal. I've already talked with a radiator shop for a customized radiator and got headlight buckets and turn signals planned out. Thinking of going with 7" sealed beams...I might convert them to halogens later, but the sealed beam design is familiar, simple and easy to work with. Josh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subafreak Posted October 25, 2012 Share Posted October 25, 2012 That is serious! A 1,000 years from now that bed will still exsist! You got me thinking about doing something like this to my legacy. Well maybe after I smash the rear window out or roll it. Lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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