The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Tons 'o Fun New 9ft bed progress!! & 1ton GMC build

Here's my latest photo of the bed I've built. It's coming along nicely. I need to build the rear cross sill still. It sure looked sweet with the tailgate on!

http://s1372.photobucket.com/user/f...mage_zpsuzcewqxe.jpg.html?sort=3&o=1

That does look nice!

Nice fabrication job! I do envy your welding capabilities! Did you make the stake pockets or were you able to find them some where?

That is some mighty fine work - nice truck too.

I used stake pockets off of my parts trucks to make them. Then used 16 gauge 1-3/4" tubing to do the top. I plugged the ends with frost plugs 1-5/8".
My end plan is to fabricate some "fender extensions" and bolt the stock fenders to them. A custom dually fender that can be returned to a single rear wheel if wanted. I think that will turn some heads!
Thanks for the comments guys!

Jim,
You can get all the parts NEW except the bedsides,from Mar K,a member here. www.mar-k.com
They might make them up special order.
Another vendor,Bruce Horkey,will make the sides,but they are pricey. www.horkeyswoodandparts.com
regards,
steve sr.

Oh and by the way Fox,
That IS some Beautiful work on that bed.
regards,
steve sr.

I thoroughly enjoyed building them and have significantly helped my budget. I got enough material bent and ordered to do the 1ton and the 1/2 ton. $550 for bedsides, front panels, rear sills for both trucks.
I can't build stainless polished bed strips though!

Love this truck. Nice work on the bed. Jim

Please post more pictures as you go. I'm interested to see how you make the fenders fit around the dual wheels. Looks great so far.

I will post pictures as I progress. I am curious to see how it goes too. We shall see how they turn out! Hopefully all goes smoothly.

Agree......very nice work...keep us all posted
Dan

Hi Fox

I am rebuilding (from scratch) a 9 foot box for my "Howard Knapp" 1 ton turned into a 1/2 / 3/4 ton truck...I gotta a couple of questions...on the side panels you have a something that sticks out near where the rear fender mounts...one under the fender and one under the top rail...what are those things for?

How big of a "kick" did you use on the bottom of the side panels? I have figured out the side panel is supposed to be 19" tall and the what is left over I be bending and will be using the to cover the stake pockets tops and mount the top rail to it also...

Hope mine comes out half as good as yours...

Also are you using wood for the bottom of the box floor?

MikeC

Mike,
Those little stick outs are little stake pockets. The top one originally had a hole on the bent,angled top side for a hole but now it's closed on mine. The one underneath the rear fender is only a side panel stiffener. It's a stake pocket that I cut on angle to reproduce the original one.

The bottoms lip kick out on my panels are 3/4", but there's room for up to 1".
My panel sides, I tried to cut to 18 3/4" and it came out at 18 7/8" which seems perfect. I'm not sure how these pictures turned out but here is the diagram I drew before I got it bent.

The top side (the bent part) I cut at 4 3/"4 but I ended up trimming off 11/16" in order to have a nice gap to weld on.

http://s1372.photobucket.com/user/foxj12/library/?view=recent&page=1

Here's a new photo of the bumper and lights installed.

http://s1372.photobucket.com/user/f...mage_zpsqibfid2x.jpg.html?sort=3&o=0

I haven't yet finished the fender extensions. But I have cut out the templates and have trimmed the sheet metal to the width I need. I have entered the dually into the show and shine on Canada Day (July 1st- holiday) and I really wanted to showcase the dually idea but work and family stuff kept me occupied for a bit. Also, my bed wood and strips are in!!!!! The next pics I post should be some sweet ones! Wish me luck!! I hope this works!

Mike,
I'm not sure if the extra little stake "stiffener" that resides under the 1 ton rear fender is present on a 3/4 ton. I believe this is a 1 ton only thing. The 1/2ton trucks did not have that extra or the little tiny one tucked under the top tubing rail. They (1/2's) only had the front and rear stake pockets.
1tons had "5"- (4 actual holes in top bent angle of bed side)- the front stake, 2nd front, little one under tube rail, medium one under fender that only served as a stiffener and the rear stake.
If anybody knows more about 3/4s, I’d like to know, too.
Thanks.
Fox J

Here's a mock up of an extension tacked together. The rear flows better as it does not dip down as it meets the bed side. I was expecting this but it does not really concern me. I still have to fine tune a lot of stuff. Mold metal towards front and rear bottoms of fender to fill the gaps, adjust some of the tacks straighter.
I think it will work out OK!

http://s1372.photobucket.com/user/f...mage_zpstch9dotf.jpg.html?sort=3&o=0

Love the look of the duals, nice job

Fox,
Impressive!!!!!!!!!!
Your a true craftsman! The dually fenders are really a sharp look!
I echo the others, keep the pics coming.
Jim

super cool! I was thinking about building a bed at some point. Thanks for the inspiration!

http://s1372.photobucket.com/user/foxj12/library/Mobile%20Uploads?sort=3&page=1

Starting to blend the corners and shape the lower fender belt line. I have also planned out my running board idea too. Double wide near the rear fender and then narrow toward front like the stock.

http://s1372.photobucket.com/user/f...mage_zpscl9omaz8.jpg.html?sort=3&o=0

The running board will flare from the back of the cab out to the outside edge of the fender. Yeesh, this is a lot of work.

Update. Here is the running board tacked together.
I welded out the extension and had a hell of a time with it springing out. I had to pie cut it in numerous places to get it back straight and unfortunately now it isn't as perfect as it was. I must exercise more patience on the other side and use a couple of tricks I've thought of to counteract the bowing of the fender extension.
I am however extremely pleased with how the running board is starting to look.
Too bad I have a complete other side to build!!

http://s1372.photobucket.com/user/f...mage_zpsurdhwhiq.jpg.html?sort=3&o=1

I think I can call the left side done!!!!! Yay!

http://s1372.photobucket.com/user/foxj12/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsrswwqpmw.jpg.html

Looks very nice!! A nice job of craftsmanship.....fender extensions and running boards..you should be very proud....it looks very bad azz from the rear with those duals..
Dan

Bed wood dry fit. I had to do a little trimming to get it fit perfectly as per the instructions from MAR-K. After all my careful measurements too! Looked great for a while until I tore it all out so I don't get sparks on it while I build the right side dually fender.

http://s1372.photobucket.com/user/f...mage_zpspnr7g0ko.jpg.html?sort=3&o=0

Very nice work and I love what you are doing. I have always felt that it is a shame that someone can't manufacture a fender extension like that and sell the complete 9' bed package. I feel like it would create a whole lot more interest in the 1 1/2 ton and 2 ton trucks. Just my opinion.
But congrats to you on doing it yourself. It really looks great.

Nice job on the fender extensions, too bad the fronts aren't as easy.

I love this!! Very nice! So when are you going to start taking orders?

Thank you very much for the kind words fellas! It has been a lot of fun building these (and a challenge). I would love to see some kind of kit like this available too. Hint hint MAR-K! Haha! I don't think customers would like the wait time I'd probably have building a set for them! Remember, I'm only half way! I'll keep posting as I go.

I've started the right hand side dually extension. Amazing how much faster and better it is going than the first! It almost makes me feel like taking the left one off and making it fit better. I can't wait to show you guys the dually all done. Ohhh boy.

Nice work Fox! Really enjoy the updates. You motivated me to learn how to fabricate/refurbish used box pieces into a complete box for my 3/4 ton.

I have a question for you on how you mounted or fabricated your fender extensions. Are they c-shaped in cross section so you can bolt to box and to the original fenders? and do they have cross supports?

What I am doing is mounting 1ton fenders or panel fenders to my box since i have them. They are much narrower than normal fenders and need extensions/spacers. If you have any pictures from underneath how you mounted them that would be helpful to me.

Workmaster,
Yes, the end plan was to enable me to convert the box from dually to single by simply removing the extension and changing running boards. Hopefully the change would take an hour or so. I'd like to show the idea at the summer show&shines by having one side a dually and the other side single.
I will grab some photos and share with you later tonight or tomorrow. They are C- shaped like you describe. I used the fenders to outline the mounting surfaces on a plate sheet. I traced it out, then cut out the two thin LARGE C-shaped mounting surfaces. Then I drilled the holes in the C's that would line up with the fenders/bed side. I used threaded rod and nuts to space out the two mounting surfaces. This allows you to set the gap nicely and helps square up the holes before you weld them. Set your gap, cut your sheet to cover the two mounting surfaces and slowly tack weld it all together. I also thought about cross bracing but was surprised at how stiff the extension was when I was done. For now I may just add a steel rod brace from the back of the extender to the box side like the original fender had.
I'm sure this is hard to follow. The pictures will make a world of sense I hope.

Work master,
Here are some pictures.

http://s1372.photobucket.com/user/foxj12/library/?view=recent&page=1

Just browse through. You can see on the one photo the threaded rod. I put these through each hole to square up t he fender. Worked well. As you weld it up, go slowly, the first one "sprung " on me and was a bear to get back to where it was. Hopefully these help.
One of the hardest parts to get just right is the front "beltline" near the bottom of the fender's front. Especially if you don't have the proper tools. I used pieces of angle iron in my big vice to "coax" this beltline and had to do a lot of fine tuning with hammer and dolly to get it right.
Good luck!

Thanks Fox!

Exactly what I was thinking but had to be sure. So the spreader bars are enough support or do you have diagonal bars somewhere as well? Now to find some sheet steel.

Actually Workmaster,
The threaded spreader rods were only there to hold it square while welding. Once you're done welding, take them out. I was surprised at how stiff it was. With the running boards bolted up, and the splash apron it's pretty solid. The back of the stock fender still flops a little and this is where I will have to figure out a brace.
BTW, I used 16 ga sheet for this project.

Right side extension...done. Yeesh. That only took 3 months.
Running board right side to start and finish, rebuild stock ones too so I have the single wheel option and the 9ft box is DONE. Hopefully by New Year. I do have Xmas holiday break from school so it might be possible! Ahhh, maybe June. : D
It sure is hard to move around my single bay shop with that huge 1 ton in there. Add on the dually extenders and I literally have 10 inches of space between my north and south workbenches! It sure has made building this side a challenge. I did the left in July. Outside. In the sunshine. With no snow. With tons of room. I sure hope this new side is straight because I couldn't get a far away look at it! :O
Who else hates winter?

Hi Stovebolters

Would it be kosher to run a 9 foot bed without splash aprons on it?....I have my 9 foot bed done and then I cobbed up some super long running boards but never got around to cobbing up splash aprons....they look really complex with all the funky bends and radius's too...can you run them with out them on the truck???

Any insight would be great...

MikeC

You could, but it really leaves a massive hole. If you're driving in wet/rainy/snowy stuff it may cause a lot of spray. In addition it would also help stop rocks from coming up near the cab or hitting corner windows. My 2 cents, put something in there. AS I was welding on my running boards the other day, I wondered how a set of splash aprons might look if they were simply square? It would be a whole lot easier to build and may not look half bad. Or how about this? Come up 1 inch off the running board, bend 45', 2-3"run, bend 45, and finish up to the bed....Huh maybe I'll try this two if my originals don't survive the bead blaster!

Take a look at this, it's not a great photo but the only one I could find in a quick search. Top picture seems most clear. http://www.oldchevytrucks.com/blog/index.php/2010/02/1947-1955-optional-wide-running-boards/ I have seen one set of thes and wish I would have fabricated something like this for my truck. I think this is along the lines of what you are speaking.

I've never heard of those before!

Left side running board... Done!!! I just have to drill holes to mount the apron and I can call this little adventure of creating dually fender extensions done!

Dually done!!!!! I will post pictures when I get a chance Bolters as I do think I am done the dually extensions. I did not get pics yet as I took them apart to fix the stock running boards and fenders. I then proceeded to slice my hand wide open down to the bone and narrowly missing the tendon of my index finger. Bad one. You could see the bone, the tendon sliding back and forth. It was a dirty one!
Maybe I'll sand the cab epoxy in prep for body work.

I'm nearly done refabricating/repairing the stock running boards for the single rear fender. When I finish, I will reassemble the completed dually and post pictures. Thanks for the messages and questions guys.

So I've become tired of fixing rust, and dealing with rust, and blowing holes in rust, and I have decided to build new running boards and splash aprons for the one ton. I have cut a 48" long piece of 10' exhaust tubing into 1/4's. This pipe has the same radius (+/- 1/16") so I will use this to build my own splash apron. It will be much heavier and may require extra bracing, but it sure beats trying to fix the bent, old, rusty ones I have. I am still waiting on getting my new boards cut and bent. I will post when I get a chance.

I've got my steel bent and I have begun welding together the pieces for the single fender running board. I also built new splash aprons out of 10" exhaust tubing. They turned out pretty good. Still working on these... Almost there. Yeesh.

http://s1372.photobucket.com/user/f...age_zpsczg8udjz.jpeg.html?sort=3&o=2

I love it! Really cool work. I still think it someone could produce the long beds, dually fenders and running boards, there would be a whole lot more ton and a half and two tons on the road!
Outstanding project.

Right hand side single runnin board complete. I have the left side to finish welding out and planishing. They've turned out pretty good. One more week and I will have this dually/single wide box finished!!!!! Pictures coming! Tune in next week kids. 😀

Done! The single and dually boards swap out quite nicely. The new splash aprons are solid. My wife and I went for a drive to celebrate and met a new neighbor as he came over after I pulled into the driveway. He was happy to see that I "got her going."
I'm going to change gears and strip the front fenders, strip the rears and repair then DA the hood. I actually had to think, "Now what do I do?"
Thanks for all the views and comments fellas.


http://s1372.photobucket.com/user/foxj12/library/?view=recent&page=1

As stated before I love the rear end shot with that dually stance.....great job
Dan

Hey Fox, Great job on the extensive metal work.
I was down in Sylvan Lake Wednesday for a safety course, next time I'm down or in the area i'll send you a message and try to stop by.
Doyle

Sounds good! I've never met a fellow stovebolter!

I began to mock up how I would mount my license plate tonight. Because I built my own rear bumper bracket, which in turn moved the bumper up and in towards the bed, the bumper sits higher than stock which interferes with the stock license mount. I will create a drop bracket that will mount the plate below the bumper. I don't like how the stock bumper sits low and you can see the frame and "underparts."
This drop bracket will utilize the light for the plate so it will still be legal. I considered mounting the plate under the gate in the middle of the cross sill, but somehow it seems to "clutter" the clean look.
What do you guys think?

http://s1372.photobucket.com/user/foxj12/library/?view=recent&page=1

You have two choices, mount the plate almost straight using
mismatched bolts (find some stovebolts) to the tailgate.

Or just hang the plate with some bailing wire.

What was the light for, If your stopped The horsemen might not look for perfection.

But to be serious you have done exceptional work.

I still have to upload some new pictures. I have built the bracket for the license plate and have used some JIC bulkhead hydraulic fittings and 1/2" stainless steel tubing to encase my light wires. It will look pretty clean when done I hope.

http://s1372.photobucket.com/user/foxj12/library/?view=recent&page=1

Here are some new photos. They show the tail light wires hidden, the license plate and a "before and after" of the rear fender as I continue to beat on sheet metal.

I assembled my little blast booth to catch my excess glass and have started to strip down big pieces and parts of my 1 ton in prep for primer/bed liner (depending on the part). I have discovered that the "mill scale" on the new steel is difficult to get off with the blaster. However, the surface rust stuff comes off like dust. So, I have put out those new pieces I have built overnight, wet them down and will blast them when they get a nice flash rust on them. It really is easier to blast off. I figure that it won't matter rusting because I'm taking them to squeaky clean before I prime/liner it.

http://s1372.photobucket.com/user/f...age_zpsddgsh6rp.jpeg.html?sort=3&o=0

It has been a while but here is the 9ft box ready for primer! Woohoo!

https://goo.gl/photos/bAsFh3oTTy441G5Q8

https://goo.gl/photos/JGPfx1KFLY92Kpsx5

https://goo.gl/photos/2L44XDxQhkZ99Hqj8

Hopefully I will have it primer by the weekend.

Fox, great job, glad you're back, looks like you've been busy! Thanks for bringing us up to speed on your project. Love the pictures, I'll be anxious to see how it all turns out. Regards, Dave

She is primed. I will have the front and rear fenders blasted and primed within the week!

https://goo.gl/photos/vZXKYhF2stWw87xX8

https://goo.gl/photos/k7bhU5cEkh3a5jVk8

Fox,
As usual, NICE!!!!
You can really see your skilled metal fabrication even with primer!!
Can't wait for color.
Jim

I as well! I think the semi gloss black on a big old one ton will look nice especially with the dual tires. But man am I beginning to hate block sanding. It was fun at first but not now. I have the time to do it and it is very satisfying knowing that I've done everything on the truck so far. It's easy to see how vehicles on tv can quickly become 6 figures. Labour isn't cheap and oh boy do I have a ton of labour into this ole girl...
Plus, 2 trucks more to finish after this one, then I'm retiring from the hobby. Maybe 😎

Not really for the bed but here are the front fenders awaiting primer.

https://goo.gl/photos/bwwccKH195JkDGBN9

https://goo.gl/photos/kQo74uBFc9BZ7PWu6

Rear fenders ready to prime. I still have to blast the fender extensions. Needless to say but I've got sand in my underpants!

https://goo.gl/photos/PEk5VKXodduuzK75A

https://goo.gl/photos/BKKGUvCNdc8qwrDB9

https://goo.gl/photos/wdHePhZwAAKiUt2g9

Primed! A little tiny bit of filler for some of the bumps that exceeded my ability and they should be good to go for paint.

https://goo.gl/photos/297CDEmTvRWr1AgPA

https://goo.gl/photos/DUfdLWoj2sCuJxPHA

https://goo.gl/photos/Txy7PA5JYEqTvv1g7

Hood, fender extensions, grille pieces (non chrome), core support, hood latch pieces, front splash apron pieces ready for primer.

https://goo.gl/photos/tHjqqqMVcTjL53uq6

https://goo.gl/photos/647vz8qGQ5vJyXFK8

Today I mounted the front fenders and grill surround and began to block and work out the ripples and imperfections I missed in metal work. It looks pretty good and I really enjoy working out in the sunshine. It allows you to see so much.

I had 3 complete strangers (working in the new development) stop in and visit about the truck this afternoon!

https://goo.gl/photos/9qWFQaiarXspKhsK7

https://goo.gl/photos/tQKZYppv5ZAgRrFy5

It went really well today. Sunshine, 10'C, a brew with a friend, and sand sand sand!

Today I remounted the 5 window cab and sheet metal (originally from the Chevrolet 1 ton) onto the 1/2 ton frame (originally the GMC 3 window).
I have "completed" the body swap as I always wanted the 5 window Chevrolet 1/2 ton. The GMC 1 ton is a bonus and learning experience before I try to restore the 1/2 ton and my grandpa's 70 C10.

Here are the trucks as of tonight.

https://goo.gl/photos/BocgaT7GZ47h4rVcA

Gmc splash apron complete. Now to sweep up the shop.

https://goo.gl/photos/Xn1cRQfpTasUjJLa6

Keep the pictures coming! Great progress.

I don't own a "new" AD model truck but have been living vicariously through your build. Nice work, it is really looking good!

Thanks fellas.

Here is the weekend's progress. I blasted and primed the apron and began to prep/body work the box and fenders. Sand, sand, sand, sand, ugh. My wife came in and saw my work and pointed out a few spots that weren't smooth. However, I do want my home built box to have a little character; so I've left the spot welds visible on the pockets, slight ridges where the pocket holes would be and ripples on the front panel. This isn't going to be a show truck so I'm happy with the result so far.
As for building character, perhaps when I'm done I should just haul stuff in it and bang it up some! I would love a photo one day of this truck with my KX250 and my wife's KTM125 in the back!

https://goo.gl/photos/1hn7RJf3KTTkJjm78

I sanded the top tubes pretty darn smooth and also the fenders. I haven't yet done the extensions yet. I do have a couple slight imperfections to tackle so I sprayed down another build of primer. Looks pretty good. Plus I worked on the new 1/2 ton box sides this afternoon.

https://goo.gl/photos/cpwfo12QqZQVLqgy8

This year for goal setting and tracking our goals, my grade 2 class and I set various goals and we have been using each other as "accountability partners." They have set their reading and exercise goals and I decided to set a goal of truck painting. My goal was to have the 1 ton painted and body assembled by end of June. I really am feeling the pinch here! Don't know if I'll make it and my grade 2's sure are eager to call me out if I didn't work on the truck the evening before. The rear fenders are done (FINALLY!) but still need to body work the fronts, hood and extensions and doors. And then paint. I need at least a SOLID week (or more) to do all this (12hr days).
.....
Plus NHL playoffs have really been cutting into my truck time!

and the 1/2 ton has been getting a little attention too 😎

Nothing like a pack of 7-8 year olds to keep you in check...no pressure!

Well, I pulled the trigger and ordered rims for this one ton from etrailer- Dexstar am20766. Hopefully all goes well and they arrive when stated and the fit like all have said in the reviews and online. I now have to order some rubber from my brother!

By the way I bought some "new" used hubcaps for the old girl.

And I started body working the dually extensions too. Ugh sanding.

I'm almost done sanding out the fender extensions on the one ton! Hopefully ready for final primer coat Saturday.

My rims also came in and I distracted myself from sanding a little tonight by test fitting and seeing how they looked... Look great and fit great. I then distracted myself more from sanding by removing the hubcap clips from the original rims.

https://goo.gl/photos/8eb5rKhGRd2uUuTBA

https://goo.gl/photos/MoSmAQ4Uafqn6L4Y6

Hi Fox. The project is getting closer to being done. The new wheels are a asset and it will be nice to have a rolling chassis. Your students are a great motivator.
It probably will not be done for History Road this June but if you make it Doyle and myself will be there with our One Tons and I will look forward to shaking your hand and buying you a coffee.
Take care. Howie

Like the Fat Tubing on Box & Fat Fenders - Good Looking - Beast .

Thanks Ton.

Howie,
I plan on coming out to Reynolds and I look forward to meeting some Bolters in person. Can't wait to see some other one tonners too. They really do grow on a guy eh? Any chance of getting your 62 in the show, too? I'll pm you closer to the show.

Well, I think this weekend has finally seen the end of the box body work. It's pretty darn straight (not concourse style) but I'm happy with it. I shot another coat of primer on Saturday but will double check with guide coat and will then probably give it one more before top coat. Looking pretty good, now onto the front end.

I also tore into my parts truck today to get the wheel cylinder adjusters as I had a couple broken teeth on the star adjusters of the one ton. The drum came off very nicely considering the old girl had been sitting in the trees for 30 years. I also finished removing the clips from the old rims. I have 17 clips in a ziplock bag ready to go. I don't know about you guys but I always seem to need a spare when working with old truck stuff...

I moved my sanding and other supplies from my pal's house in order to begin and finish the body work on the front end. Almost there guys...almost there.

Paul,
I did a little looking at your dump truck. That is a very cool truck indeed! If mine comes out half as nice as yours I'll be extremely happy.

Howdy Fox
We will only take the 55 to the Wetaskiwin show, But next year will be the turn for the 62.

Work safe.
Howie