47-55.1 Reducing bed gap

[mobileortho]

Has anyone made custom filler panels to reduce the bed gap on the AD?

[mr48chev]

Guys have modified the beds to have them fit closer to the cab but you want what I would call finger width clearance between the cab and bed just for flex space. I found out the hard way that you don't hang on to the front of the bed when you are riding in the back with your fingers between the cab and bed when I was a kid.

[mobileortho]

Looking for ideas, would love some pics if anyone’s done it. I can’t find anything on Google.

[leegreen]

I thought about doing something with some rubber extrusion like this https://www.trimlok.com/rubber-extru...seal/d-profile. But got used to there being a gap instead. If you put it a couple inches in in would block the light shining through but not be noticeable.

[dsraven]

my 2015 silverado has a plastic part that attaches to the box side and covers that gap. waaay less work. maybe check one out at a parking lot next time you go out.

[dsraven]

maybe repurpose some rubber baseboard material, like seen in industrial settings. cheap, so if you don't like it all it cost was a little time and some duct tape for mock up purposes

[mobileortho]

This is what I’m playing around with. Mocked it up with 16 gauge sheet metal, but looking for alternatives before moving on.

[dsraven]

I think you will need to leave a little space between the cab and bed to account for frame and body flex. possibly that space could be filled with an overlapping flexible strip so it looks completely filled but that is because the two parts bypass each other so no line of sight past the two parts, if you know what I mean

[mobileortho]

Originally Posted by mr48chev

Guys have modified the beds to have them fit closer to the cab but you want what I would call finger width clearance between the cab and bed just for flex space.

I left a fingers width at the top to account for flex. My biggest gripe is the gap widens as it reaches the corners of the bed. Playing around with adding a some metal to fill in that area, but it's a bit challenging to cut with just a cutoff wheel. I'm sure it would look a lot better if i had the right equipment (And knew what I was doing! Lol!)

[nvrdone]

so try making a cardboard or poster board pattern. Then cut to shape and duct tape it on. That would give you an idea and wouldn't cost much.
I did see a filler panel that looked like it was made out of 16 ga sheet. It was bent to fit up to the bed rails and was attached with sheet metal screws. I understood the idea but wasn't really impressed

[mobileortho]

I took one of the bed strips & bent it to the shape I wanted then transferred that to the sheet metal and cut it out. The hardest part, as I mentioned earlier was cutting it out with the angle grinder. I’m not as steady as I used to be.But this is what I came up with. I still need to reinforce the backside somehow. I extended the corners of the bed to match the curve of the cab as well. Still have some finishing todo but I’ll see what it all looks like when it’s all back together.

[Tempest67]

I extended the side of the box and the bed rails, but did not do the top edge behind the cab, which I should have, because a lot of heat comes up between the cab and box. (which I notice when I have my rear window flipped out

[Dan in Pasadena]

I only want to know the details of how you did the window flip out feature!

Before I built my '55 Task Force I had a '46 Art Deco and fixed the crank out windshield myself. I remember being pretty roped of having done it. I LOVED that feature.

If I'd found a small window cab TF and knew it was possible to do the flip out mod I'd have done it. I assume it would not be possible to do something like that with a big rear window?

Of course with some guys that have a lot more skill than I just telling them it can't be done will make them invent something ingenious!

[Tempest67]

Hey Dan

You can see the details in my build (bottom of signature) but I used the hardware from an old GM Astro Van side door window, had a new piece of glass cut, with 4 holes, and installed. I also used an extra thick gasket.

I don't want to hijack this thread, so PM me if you need more info