1993 Splash in SC

[Blmpkn]

I may have some important info to share. I wanted new bed hardware to mount this bed. Prices vary wildly online. Anywhere from $26 to $56 or more. The cheap stuff has mixed reviews, some saying the hex socket heads strip out easy. I didn't want to chance that. I don't mind regular hex head bolts. The nuts are the difficult part. Unless you have a helper, you really need those U-nuts so they stay in place and can't rotate while you tighten the bolt from above.

So I went to a local hardware distributor today that specializes in automotive stuff. He couldn't find M12x1.75 U-nuts in the catalog. So I came home and did some digging. I found J-nuts. They are like U-nuts, except the clip part that wraps around the edge of the frame is short. That shouldn't matter. As long as there is something to catch the frame and keep the nut in place.

Auveco part #23784, around $10-$11 for a box of 10 pieces. I'm going to call my local guy tomorrow and see if he has those or can get them. That way I don't have to pay an extra $10 for shipping. Regular hex head bolts (grade 8.8) are around $2 - $2.50 each for the sizes needed. So a complete set of bed hardware will only be around $25 plus tax locally supplied.

Part of the reason this is important to me is that I am adding an extra set of bolts for the new bed. It will have 8 bolts instead of 6. And ordering a set from Rockauto or LMC Truck only gets me a set of 6. Then I would need extra parts.

How much are 6 of those u-nuts from lmc?

When I made the flatbed for my '10 I was lucky enough to be able to reuse both the u-nuts and the bolts after a quick dip in the wire wheel on the bench grinder. The '10's have 8 bolts holding the bed on. I only bothered putting 6 back in lol. In your case, going with 8 seems like a solid idea. I'm sure those two extra bolts really stiffen things up in situations like you put that truck through.

 

[ericbphoto]

How much are 6 of those u-nuts from lmc?

Pretty sure I only saw full sets of hardware. Couldn't buy the nuts separately.

My hardware really isn't in terrible shape. The Long bolts for the front are slightly rusted right above where they engaged the nuts. My new frame is slightly thinner. So they might get into the rusted threads if I reuse them. For this project, I would like to start fresh with new bolts and nuts.

 

[racsan]

I know you dont see the salt I do up this way but still a good idea to coat the bolts/threads with some anti-sieze.

 

[ericbphoto]

I know you dont see the salt I do up this way but still a good idea to coat the bolts/threads with some anti-sieze.

That's always part of the plan. Thank you.

 

[ericbphoto]

Nice, warm day. Progress made. Error made, too. But nothing serious.

 

[Uncle Gump]

So... what was the error?

 

[ericbphoto]

So... what was the error?

I may never tell. Depends how obvious it is at the end. Actually, there will be a few minor imperfections. Some based on the fact that the truck frame is out of square and has a slight vertical twist. Difficult to get everything perfect under those conditions.

 

[Shran]

Thank you. How much is the height of your wheel arch above the flat deck level?

Forgot to answer you, sorry, it's around 6" from the bottom of the outer frame to the inside of the wheel arch. I'm guesstimating that I have at least 12", maybe more between the top of the tire and the inside of the arch at ride height.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

For the frame rails on a Ranger Ford drew its inspiration from cooked fettuccine noodles.

Nothing is straight/square to anything.

 

[Roert42]

How tall are your bed sides going to be? The one looks really tall in the picture, but it may just be an optical illusion.

 

[ericbphoto]

How tall are your bed sides going to be? The one looks really tall in the picture, but it may just be an optical illusion.

18". A little taller than I originally wanted. But I want to use the talgate/ table that I had already built for the original bed. So, they're really no taller than original. It just looks taller because the whole shape is different.

That reminds me. I should probably get the tailgate out and hold it up there to double check. But my tape measure almost never lies.

 

[sgtsandman]

Measure once. Cut twice. And it’s still too short!

 

[ericbphoto]

Measure once. Cut twice. And it’s still too short!

Surprisingly, that hasn't happened much on this project, so far.

 

[Roert42]

How you going to skin it? tread plate?

 

[ericbphoto]

How you going to skin it? tread plate?

Simple flat 14ga or 16ga in the bed and possibly expanded metal on the sides. I need 3 sheets of material either way.



Or, cheap blue or green tarps from Harbor Freight?