1993 Splash in SC

[Curious Hound]

How you going to skin it? tread plate?

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?

 

[Curious Hound]

Good day today. I had to work this morning. But this afternoon, I got the other side partially framed. That allowed me to test fit the tailgate, make the mating part of the hinges and get them tacked in place. I need to get a few more materials next week to be able to finish.

Those are the tail lights I'll be using. But I still have to figure out their mounting. License plate will screw on right there.

Green tarp doesn't look too bad.

 

[bobbywalter]

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.

What is wrong with tractor supply 4.50 per pound gr 8, 1/2 in stuff?

And a cut custom wrench? Tape or spring to install?

 

[bobbywalter]

They gotz da clip nuts tooz

 

[bobbywalter]

My corners are cut for a reason.

 

[bobbywalter]

Your going need more spring with all that space to carry more gear

 

[Curious Hound]

Your going need more spring with all that space to carry more gear

That's been on my mind. I think it will be ok for a while with the longer shackles. I need to do the front springs first and get my camber and front height back where it belongs. Then figure out rear springs later after the bank account recovers.

 

[Curious Hound]

They gotz da clip nuts tooz

For 1/2"? I didn't go to TS. But everywhere I checked, clip nuts topped out at 3/8" or 10mm.

 

[bobbywalter]

I get them at Napa and tsc in my area. Very possible they don't have 1/2 in at tsc...as it's been years. They don't have good bushing stock anymore like they did.

 

[bobbywalter]

That's been on my mind. I think it will be ok for a while with the longer shackles. I need to do the front springs first and get my camber and front height back where it belongs. Then figure out rear springs later after the bank account recovers.

Consider adjustable coil buckets

 

[racsan]

theres another local farm store “rural king” they have a lot more hardware items than tsc does, not sure if they have any locations near you. Any more its my favorite place when Im in need of something, even clothes. I got 4 pair of insulated work pants there just yesterday for 16-something $ each. Have a lot of milwaukee products in the tool area also.

 

[sgtsandman]

What I have seen of Rural King has made a good impression. Being that it is the opposite way of where I normal drive, has limited my trips to the place. They do seem to be better stocked than lot of stores in items that people who live in less urbanized areas would be interested in. Tractor Supply, is ok. If I was a farmer, they might be more attractive. They also are in the opposite direction of where I normally travel.

Eric, while you have that thing apart, you might want to look at making it a 6X6 like in that video on the Facebook TRS page.

 

[Curious Hound]

Eric, while you have that thing apart, you might want to look at making it a 6X6 like in that video on the Facebook TRS

Sure. Why not? I'll get a few D44 TTB setups and make it a 6TB, 6wheel steer monster Ranger. Might as well put a 6TB diesel in it, too.

 

[sgtsandman]

Sure. Why not? I'll get a few D44 TTB setups and make it a 6TB, 6wheel steer monster Ranger. Might as well put a 6TB diesel in it, too.

It's not my money or labor, go for it! I support this 100%!

 

[Curious Hound]

It's not my money or labor, go for it! I support this 100%!

GoFundMe???