Project 1966 K20 adventure rig

[72cs20]

Today I started putting the bed frame together. I'm using all of the factory bed mounting locations. 2x2 rectangular tube blocks were cut to mount the main rails to. The blocks are bolted down with grade 8 half inch bolts. The main rails will then be welded to the blocks

This truck had a hard life before I got it. The rear portion of the frame is a bit tweaked to say the least. But with a little shimming of the mounting blocks, the main rails came out square and level.

[Captainfab]

Good looking progress Was that vinyl floor covering just a generic rolled vinyl material?

[roll_the_dice]

Originally Posted by 72cs20

After settling on a blurred vision for a bed configuration I went ahead and ordered some steel. It will mainly consist of 2x3 and 1 1/2x1 1/2 rectangular tubing. All with 3/16 wall. The decking will be 2x6 wood. Don't know what kind of wood just yet, although I can get some redwood free.
When I got the steel home I did another basic mock up to get a visual.

I am about to start a new build of my 64 GMC 1 ton dually and put a flatbed on it since it was originally a farm truck with a flatbed. I noticed in one of your pictures you had a flat bed and also had the bed mount frame brackets. Why did you raise the bed with the 2x2 blocks on top of the frame? These are great photos to help me when I get to that point! Thanks!

[72cs20]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

Good looking progress Was that vinyl floor covering just a generic rolled vinyl material?

This vinyl flooring is supposed to be a molded covering for the 60-66 trucks. I got it from ACC Custom Carpets. Now that it is in the truck I think it will be durable and effective. Time will tell if it will fully "relax". And the now oddly shaped transmission cover isn't helping.

[72cs20]

Originally Posted by roll_the_dice

I am about to start a new build of my 64 GMC 1 ton dually and put a flatbed on it since it was originally a farm truck with a flatbed. I noticed in one of your pictures you had a flat bed and also had the bed mount frame brackets. Why did you raise the bed with the 2x2 blocks on top of the frame? These are great photos to help me when I get to that point! Thanks!

This bed is actually only half an inch higher than the old bed. The old bed also had 2x3 main rails but but sat directly against the portion of the truck's frame that goes over the rear axle. And they only used 6 of the factory bed mounting locations.

I decided I didn't like that frame to frame contact so I lifted the new bed and used all 10 factory mounting locations. And that extra half inch made a perfect gap for the fuel filler hose.

I am by no means an expert in any of this stuff. But I think they cut a few corners when they mounted the old bed by not using all on of the available mounting locations. In fact, that area where there was frame to frame contact has some slight but noticeable deformation. You can actually see the slight bow in the top inside edge of the truck frame in the first pic.

I hope that answers your question. If you want any photos from other angles, just holler.

[roll_the_dice]

Thanks that helps a lot. Makes much more sense to me now. I thought you might be raising it some for the gas tank fill. I had to cut some of my bed on my 65 for the side gas tank fill...There is a 1/2" gap in the below picture from bed rail to frame rail? Are you going to fill this gap with anything?

[72cs20]

For now I'll leave that gap open. I don't expect much bending or deflection in that area. But we'll see once the truck is loaded up to it's trip ready weight.

[roll_the_dice]

Originally Posted by 72cs20

For now I'll leave that gap open. I don't expect much bending or deflection in that area. But we'll see once the truck is loaded up to it's trip ready weight.

Thanks, I appreciate it!

[72cs20]

More progress on the bed. Got the 1 1/2 x1 1/2 cross rails and the 2x3 outside rails in today. Now just need to finish up the welding.

[roll_the_dice]

The bed is going to look so good! Are you buying your steel tubing locally? Mind saying how much you think the bed will cost? I looked yesterday and haven't found a local source yet and online pricing was crazy. Thanks

[72cs20]

Thanks!

With the steel, lighting, welding supplies and miscellaneous items, 2500.00 or less is the goal. So far I have 1550.00 in steel alone and still need more to finish the cab guard and the tail end.

I bought locally.

[roll_the_dice]

Much appreciated! I need to find the steel locally then...

It makes me happy when someone is a few (thousand) steps ahead and I can learn. This is such a great board! I have seen boards where people show things, but are stingy on how they actually achieve it.

[72cs20]

Still working on the bed! The main part of the bed and most of the welding is finished. The remainder of the welding can be completed when the bed is off the truck for painting.

Currently working on the rear step and light panel. Have the main step installed and rear panel cut out to hold the rear lighting. I'm trying to keep this all as simple as possible, but there is still a bit more work to do in the step area.

The lighting locations are all good. Now working on routing all the wiring to get the lights hooked up and tested. Playing around with license plate locations too.

[roll_the_dice]

Looks good..are you going to put a hitch receiver on the rear?

[The Rocknrod]

This is some great Fab work your doing and it's coming along nicely.

[88Stanger]

Originally Posted by 72cs20

Still working on the bed! The main part of the bed and most of the welding is finished. The remainder of the welding can be completed when the bed is off the truck for painting.

Currently working on the rear step and light panel. Have the main step installed and rear panel cut out to hold the rear lighting. I'm trying to keep this all as simple as possible, but there is still a bit more work to do in the step area.

The lighting locations are all good. Now working on routing all the wiring to get the lights hooked up and tested. Playing around with license plate locations too.

damn fine work sir!!

[72cs20]

A little more progress at the rear of the bed. Settled on a license plate location and then installed the license plate light.

Also kept going on the step area. Added a second section behind the main step to support a hitch receiver. I then want tie all of this to the frame utilizing the factory bumper bracket bolt holes.

[72cs20]

Thanks fellas for the positive comments. Much appreciated!

Still plugging along on the bed. This week was work on the rear lighting terminal block. Got it mounted to the rear crossmember with a homemade L bracket.

Receiver for the hitch is in. And also got some plates made to tie into frame.

This next week I'm going look at fuel fill and mud flaps.

[roll_the_dice]

I love what you're doing with the bed! It's awesome...great job.

[72cs20]

Thanks! It has been a lot of work, but fun. And I've been using this project to learn how to use my mig welder.

[72cs20]

I decided to tackle the fuel filler location today. Settled on a final location and mocked it up. I think it will work. Still need to get a reducer for the vent line.

And also terminated the rear wiring harness.

[cwcarpenter98]

The bed is turning out great!

Might just be me, but I'd be worried about some fuel spilling out with the neck being parallel to the ground like that. Maybe you could pull the bottom of the mount out some to give it more of a downward angle right at the opening so it's less likely to have any fuel splash out?

[Captainfab]

I agree with Christian. The fuel filler should be at more of an angle. You are going to get fuel spilling on the ground while trying to fill the tank. You might have to recess it into the outside bed rail.

[72cs20]

Originally Posted by cwcarpenter98

The bed is turning out great!

Might just be me, but I'd be worried about some fuel spilling out with the neck being parallel to the ground like that. Maybe you could pull the bottom of the mount out some to give it more of a downward angle right at the opening so it's less likely to have any fuel splash out?

Thanks! Input for this project is always welcome and you're right concerning the angle of that filler hose. I have fiddled with the angle and position of the filler neck bracket. It should work for now but I'm not quite done messing with it just yet. Also, the filler neck is newer type with a screw in cap that has a big sealing o-ring. I'm confident fuel spillage won't be a problem.

[72cs20]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

I agree with Christian. The fuel filler should be at more of an angle. You are going to get fuel spilling on the ground while trying to fill the tank. You might have to recess it into the outside bed rail.

I have looked into recessing it into the bed rail but am trying to avoid that. But if all else fails, what is necessary will be done. There are a number of options, but in end, I don't want a truck that is difficult to fill up.