Re: Jans 53
 

My husband wanted the stainless because he thinks it would continue from the stainless between the windshield.....we will see. I will paint the original so that I have the option.

Re: Jans 53
 

The grill and hood strip look good. I need to pick up one of those strips myself. I will end up giving it a brushed finish to go with the rest of my brushed trim. My decision to ditch the OE painted strip was an easy one as a few of the tabs broke off and it sticks up off the hood.

Marc

Re: Jans 53
 

Stainless hood trim at Summit is part # 3681480. It will look cool brushed.

Re: Jans 53
 

Thank you, I will add it to my ever growing Summit wish list.
I recently brushed my chrome grill and love how it looks.

Marc

Re: Jans 53
 

California is not fit for working outside the last 2 weeks between the heat and the smoke. (That’s the sun by the way)

Re: Jans 53
 

hey jan - stay safe. my inlaws are in Lincoln and just left for our cabin above Sonora to get away from the heat and smoke.

Re: Jans 53
 

I’m not sure there’s anywhere in the state you can get away from the smoke, at least the temp has dropped to a comfortable 100.

Re: Jans 53
 

The Canyon Complex fire is about 5 miles from my house. Not worried as it would have to jump I5, the Mendota and California aqueducts and pretty much burn all of Patterson to get to us. Plus they built a fire line 2 nights ago so it wouldn't get closer to I5, but yeah the smoke is not fun.

Re: Jans 53
 

stay safe jan!

Re: Jans 53
 

I’m Baaack! What a crazy few months it’s been! My mom had a small stroke, then 2 months later fell and fractured her hip....fortunately didn’t need surgery. She stayed at my house for a month, in the meanwhile one of my brothers ended up on a ventilator for ten days from COVID. Then my mother got very sick from a UTI so I stayed with her at her home for three weeks.
So today I worked on figuring out how to build a bed floor that lifts up. I looked around on the internet a few days a didn’t find much info on how they hinged it. So I put on my thinking cap and after seeing how much the hinges cost decided to make my own. I also wanted to do something a little different to hold the wood together (the two boards to the outside will not lift). So far here’s what I’ve got.

Re: Jans 53
 

Sorry about the sideways pictures. Use your imagination.lol

Here’s more pictures of the bed wood. I cut some grooves on the bottom so that the channel steel would sit down in and keep the wood from shifting. I will weld some flat bar on each side of the channel to also keep the wood from shifting, the bolts from the bed strips also align with the channel. I will also be mounting the hinges to the front channel.

Re: Jans 53
 

Sorry to hear about your families run of bad luck relating to health related challenges. Its always satisfying to fab up something for yourself. The hinges and bed wood look great.

Marc

Re: Jans 53
 

I'm glad you're back! Sorry to hear about your mom and brother, but glad they are both doing better.

The bed wood looks good, but I would really like to see how that bed lift works. That hinge system is a work of art.

Re: Jans 53
 

Jan, sorry to hear about the family members. Glad their doing better, bed coming right along...Jim

Re: Jans 53
 

Thanks everyone, it’s good to be back on my project. Hopefully I’ll have more pictures this weekend.

Youngrodder, I looked forward to your updates during that time. The paint job looks awesome and your talent and eye for things details is amazing.

Oldman your wisdom and willingness to help others is stellar.

Robert you’re my forum buddy, always there with encouragement.

Re: Jans 53
 

sorry to hear about the family issues. hope it all works and you can take time needed for some rest yourself. wouldn't wanna hear you get sick too from your system being run down.
nice job on the hinges and bed wood.

Re: Jans 53
 

Bolted the bed wood together a did a test fit today. Now need to figure out hinges and a lift. Debating on linear actuators or just gas shocks.

Re: Jans 53
 

Putting the bed on alone in one piece is not a good idea, had a couple of hair raising moments. Today’s plan is to square it up and figure out how I’m going to build the lift.

Re: Jans 53
 

Yep! It's tough. Looking forward to the lift.

Re: Jans 53
 

Looks great. Its always gratifying when you can assemble large pieces to get a better idea of the final vision.

Marc

Re: Jans 53
 

I have used a couple of long 4x4 fenceposts to hold the box front and rear. jack it up too high, slide a 4x4 under each end-side to side- at the front and rear, high enough for the tires to clear under it, then saw horses under the 4x4's on each side wide enough apart to allow the truck width between them. then drive the truck under and let the box down. of course an engine hoist is used to do that job.
well, it's on there now. looking good. no sore backs I hope.

Re: Jans 53
 

I hear you on the solo bed install. I ended up using my cherry picker and a few ratchet straps. It lifted it easily and I was able to adjust the level with the ratchet straps on each corner.

Re: Jans 53
 

X2 on the cherry picker method. Have done it many times on different trucks and never had any problems. Just be sure to use good straps and secure it good.
NorCalGal, Hope all of your family is doing well now and improving.

Re: Jans 53
 

That bed looks fantastic. I need you to finish that bed and do a write up cause I want to do it too!!!!!!!!!

Re: Jans 53
 

Looking good. I hear ya on the doing things by yourself. I do have a group of friends willing to help which helps. It's great to preassemble things so later there are no surprises. Steve