A different approach to a LWB to SWB conversion

[67c10rustbuket]

Originally Posted by 65standard

Back to the side marker lights.

I made a form at work to stamp the side marker light into the bedside. Then I tested it on a piece of painted scrap to see how it worked and what happens to the paint.

Awesome... Can we get a few more shots of the forming dies? Take the halves apart and show the edges and what the bolts are threaded into please. Must have a smooth radius on the edges?

[Mike C]

Originally Posted by 67c10rustbuket

Awesome... Can we get a few more shots of the forming dies? Take the halves apart and show the edges and what the bolts are threaded into please. Must have a smooth radius on the edges?

Yes. Please.

Great work, I have been following with interest.

[WarMonger]

You come up with some pretty cool ideas. Looks great.

[snj8198]

you know everyone here is going to want to borrow that form now to do their own.

that form will have it's own thread on who has it next just like the old "where's the chicken?" thread that lasted forever.

nice work

[flashed]

That is absolutely amazing ,you need to manufacture molds for repop parts .

[jocko]

that's some very nice work - very glad you decided to document it for us - thanks!

[9teen69]

Awesome technique, looks perfect

[BrianG]

I get excited when I'm able to weld two pieces of metal together without huge globs of weld to grind back off. I feel so rookie compared to your skills. Great amazing skills. If there were an award given for the innovation of the month/year, you would get my vote... or for fab skills, for original ideas, for.... you get the picture.

Moderator's we have a truck of the month vote contest... why not start one for best (current) fab work, or better yet, best (maybe most helpful) innovative idea of the month?

[tommys72]

Simply amazing! Looks like it was always there!! You sir, need a tv show...would get better ratings then any of the rest of them

[57taskforce]

Originally Posted by tommys72

Simply amazing! Looks like it was always there!! You sir, need a tv show...would get better ratings then any of the rest of them

+1 this is A very cool thread. Glad to see the level of detail your going to. Awesome work!

[Ozzy2013]

Hats off to you Sir bar none the best ive seen .

[shawno72]

Holy moly. Nice work dude!!

[motorcritter]

Just when I think you've reached peak bad-ass-ism, you raise the bar! I've had a rather extensive educational experience, and I learned about brain-hemisphere integration and its influence on creativity. Your skills demonstrate a very high degree of that property. I'm not bad at that sort of thing, but I am a rank amateur in comparison. 'Outside the box'?- how about 'building a whole new box, and then thinking outside of that!'
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[bh86]

awesome

[Sqznby]

Amazing work.
Everything looks factory fresh.


Can I have it? Pleeease

[jamie72]

very nice.. great work.

[65standard]

I've been asked for more details on the side markers.

First I marked out the location.



Then I cut out a hole with a cut off wheel like this.



Then used a die grinder to open up the corners to prevent tearing.



Then reached behind the bedside with the back half of the form, aligned one bolt for starters.



Then aligned all the bolts. Stood back and carefully checked to make sure the form was straight and I wasn't going to press it in crooked.



Then slowly tighten the bolts evenly.



Until it is bottomed out.



Then remove the form and clean up the hole like it originally was.



Install the light to complete the process.



Here are some pictures of the form I quickly made at work.







Im more than willing to lend to form out to any member than needs to use it...

[65standard]

Proof that it is a real "farm truck"

Too bad the original owner buffed of the door lettering before junking it. It would have been even cooler to display it still.

Oh well, I plan on lettering the doors with my own metal shaping/ fabrication company logo.

[doubleb's69]

Originally Posted by 65standard

Proof that it is a real "farm truck"

Too bad the original owner buffed of the door lettering before junking it. It would have been even cooler to display it still.

Oh well, I plan on lettering the doors with my own metal shaping/ fabrication company logo.

If you ever make it over to the Des Moines area, say maybe for Goodguys in July, I can redo your tailgate logo and weather it to look original.

I can also take care of that door logo for you. PM me if you are interested.

[bigjason]

Simply amazing.

Outstanding in my books!

[Sqznby]

Very creative.
Did you use some sort of anti seize or lube to help with the forming?

[65standard]

I used a little bit of grease to aid in the removal of the form, not so much as to help press it together. The bolts have plenty of tonnage to do the job.

[tommys72]

Very nice Tony !

[swamp rat]

Nice work!

[Spry69]

Are there any plans for tailgate renovation / dent removal or is it good to go? I can't tell from the photos. I am starting on mine and it is a bear with the thickness of the steel. I appreciate your build and the quantity and quality of information and photos. I will be shortening my LWB in the next few months and will definitely try your method starting with the bed floor. Thank you for sharing.