Frankentruck

[cwcarpenter98]

Had to do some school work yesterday for my 2 summer classes, so didn't work on the new bed at all.

This morning I drilled the holes in the new flange. After that was done, it was time to paint the bare metal and where the wheel tub mounts. I also cleaned and painted the flanges on the wheel tubs to slow down the rust in those spots.

Probably should have gone to get some paint that matches a little better, but I'm hoping that the gloss will fade out some in the sun and be close enough for now. I used the same can on the driver's door last summer, and it matches up fairly well now. You have to look really close to see it.

Time for lunch!

[cwcarpenter98]

I'm covered in metal dust, but at least my welds aren't terrible. I decided to leave some of the good, original flange to make it easier to line up.

Time to drill some holes and throw some paint on it

[cwcarpenter98]

Perfect? Far from it.
Functional? Oh yeah

[bsarts]

Looks good, it's satisfying work to get rid of the rust and make something serviceable again like that.

[cwcarpenter98]

Originally Posted by bsarts

Looks good, it's satisfying work to get rid of the rust and make something serviceable again like that.

Thanks! It is quite satisfying, and now I have something that will match the truck a little better than before

[cwcarpenter98]

[cwcarpenter98]

Ohhhh yeah, new bed sides are on.
I still can't believe I found useable bedsides that are green and without trim holes!

I'm almost ready for the C10 Club GA swap meet on Saturday.

All I have left is to drill the holes for the reverse lights, install them, and add my 4 tie down points like what I had in the old bed. Hopefully I can get that done tomorrow, but I've got some school work to get done first and might have some rain to battle as well. If I don't get it done though, I'll still be able to go to the swap meet


I do kinda like the look of no bed sides. Probably going to have to build a C20 or C30 flatbed truck one day

[The Rocknrod]

That's some good work.

[roll_the_dice]

Looks awesome. Did you weld L steel stock and drill holes for the wood bed?

[cwcarpenter98]

Originally Posted by The Rocknrod

That's some good work.

Thanks!

Originally Posted by roll_the_dice

Looks awesome. Did you weld L steel stock and drill holes for the wood bed?

I didn't think of that as an option. I had some leftover sheet steel from when I built my welding table, so I used that. It was flat though, so I went to a shop over in Marietta that made two bends in it for me with a metal brake. Then it was cut, weld, grind, repeat, and drill holes. I didn't do great on a couple holes

[cwcarpenter98]

Got the reverse lights in after I finished up my school work. Was going to also add some tie downs like what I have on the old bed sides, but ran out of daylight and then the rain finally showed up. It gave me time to pack up all my parts for the swap meet tomorrow though. Just have to load them in the truck in the morning and head out

[cwcarpenter98]

Went up to the C10 Club GA swap meet in Cleveland, GA today. Had such a great time that I completely forgot to take any pictures of the good stuff there. I sold some stuff, but bought some too

I found some GMC sill plates, another set of the West Coast Jr. mirrors, and a small back glass sliding window. I also traded a 64-66 grille for a 63 grille since I like the 63 grilles better.

It was a good day of catching up with some friends, talking trucks, and meeting new people.

Here's a couple pics of what the truck looks like from the front. Still more changes to come though

[straight6chevyguy]

Looking good!

[cwcarpenter98]

Originally Posted by straight6chevyguy

Looking good!

Thanks!

[cwcarpenter98]

I started my summer internship this week. Same firm as the spring, just different office so I can be at home to work on Frankentruck some.

I got this around the same time I got the truck, but haven't done anything with it until now. I think this trailer is from a 69 truck because the passenger bed side has a 9 stamped in it near the top inside where the tailgate closes against. The bed sides are completely toast. Both tail light areas are dented in and rust all over. I cut off what little was left attached so I could attack the rusty bolts much easier. It's down to the bare floor for tonight. Going to do a little clean up tomorrow.

The sunset was gorgeous this evening after I finished cleaning up

Also threw on a hubcap for a little motivation

[cwcarpenter98]

I pressure washed the trailer this morning. I assumed it had a 12 bolt, but to my surprise, it has a Dana 44! Only problem for me is that it's a leaf spring rear end. If it was a coil rear, I'd be swapping it into Frankentruck.

After it dried, I got some rust reformer on where the bedsides mount, but I ran out of paint and then a summer thunderstorm showed up. Hopefully I'll be able to get the sides on tomorrow

[cwcarpenter98]

Got the sides and header panel mocked up today.
I'm getting real excited now about it.

On the header panel, I've decided to use the 67-72 one. The panel from the 65 bed is rusted through on the bottom and I would have to figure out some way to space it. The 69 ish one has a decent bottom flange, fits much better, and is the right height.

My plan is to cut the top corners from the 65 panel, then weld them to the 69 so that it is the same width all the way across. Hopefully the weather will be dry soon so that I can weld it up. The driveway is a little wet from the rain so I don't want to risk getting zapped

[kehstr]

What do you plan to use the truck bed trailer for?

[SkinnyG]

So he can be King of the Landfill, silly!

That's how -I- roll!

[cwcarpenter98]

Originally Posted by kehstr

What do you plan to use the truck bed trailer for?

Originally Posted by SkinnyG

So he can be King of the Landfill, silly!

That's how -I- roll!

Pretty much exactly the plan!

I'm going to use it for swap meets mostly. Parts storage for parts that are too big for the space in the garage, maybe throw a camper shell on it to do some camping, haul some rock that I don't want in my wood bed, all sorts of stuff that a trailer could be used for. I got it for free, so might as well make it match and then use it

[cwcarpenter98]

Was able to get the first coat of paint on the floor this evening. Battling rain all week, so hopefully I'll get a chance to weld some whenever the driveway dries up

[cwcarpenter98]

More progress today on the trailer. 2nd coat of paint down.

Since the header panel that came off the new bed was rusted out at the bottom a fair amount, I decided to use the header panel from the trailer. Just a smidge of cutting and welding required
Both sides trimmed to fit, now I just have to burn it in.

Only thing I haven't done to the new bed was to put my tie down points in. I've had the parts for it, but the rain this week has kept me from getting it completed until today

[Getter-Done]

Looking Good

Nice blend.









.

[cwcarpenter98]

Originally Posted by Getter-Done

Looking Good

Nice blend.

Thank you!



Unfortunately for me, that's the only progress I made on the trailer today. We had a couple rain showers blow through, so the spot where I do my welding got completely soaked. Of course, the sun was already behind the roof of the house so that spot wasn't going to dry enough for me to weld today. I don't feel like getting zapped

That did give me some time to finish putting my tie down points on the new bed. I did the same thing as on the old bed, but this time I used stainless u bolts to add a little bling to it

[cwcarpenter98]

Major progress happened today! It's not bolted down completely, but it's on there good enough for tonight.

Got the header panel welded up to mesh the steel floor with the wood floor bedsides. It also gave me more practice on fitting and welding. I'm pleased so far with how it's fitting up