We are still asking: What did you get done on your Bolt today ????
The question, initially posted May 23, 2005, was:
"Whatcha do on your Bolt this weekend?"
After 51,906,997 views, 7378 replies over 185 pages, this thread in General Truck Talk is a happening! And it's not just weekends anymore.
Building a new bed for my 58 will be fairly early on the fix list. I have been looking at ideas for it that might be different and interesting. Our plan is to customize the truck as we build it to make it *ours*. I ran across theae fasteners and thought they could have a neat look.
You would have to swap the screws out for machine screws to bolt to the crossmembers. It would drain water nicely, but also leak sand if you were hauling that.
We plan to use the truck as a truck. It seems like every one that I have seen be used has bent and twisted bed strips, so I am looking for something that might be a bit more resistant to damage (short of putting in a solid metal floor).
Thoughts?
58 Apache, long bed fleetside, V8 w/SM420 Drivable but the rear axle needs work.
Instead of using the typical thin metal strips you could use 1/4" thick aluminum or powder coated steel strips with flat head cap screws. Cut or router the edges of the wood so the metal strips are flush or slightly below the deck and counter sink the holes in the metal for the flat heads.
I made a bed out of 1/2" square tubing, 1/8' wall thickness sandwiched between .60" aluminum sheet. The square tubing section looks like the side of a shark cage, whereas the bars of tubing are arranged where ever a bed strip goes. I then covered the top with carbon fiber cloth, topped with epoxy resin. I recommend using clear coat over the fully cured resin to seal it. This will prevent water spotting which seems to be inherent to carbon fiber.
Its carbon fiber mat. It comes in a roll. You lay it out dry and pour the epoxy resin on top and squeegee it out. It is pretty much self leveling if you have the bed level.
Yeah, I have worked with various carbon fiber products before. I am familiar with how to work with it.
I am just having a little bit of trouble visualizing what the aluminum is. Did you lay out the tube for a frame, put the alumimum over it as a skin/support for the carbon fiber? Then laminate it with the cloth?
58 Apache, long bed fleetside, V8 w/SM420 Drivable but the rear axle needs work.
Yes, I have what looks like the side of a shark cage from Jaws, whereas there is a 1/2" square tube under where the chrome bed strips go. This structure is sandwiched between two sheets of aluminum (.060 thickness I believe). All of it is secured together with a TIG welder.
I meant carbon fiber covering the whole truck would be heavy. The carbon over aluminum would be much lighter than the wood. Probably more than a later (80s) corrugated steel floor, but not a lot.
58 Apache, long bed fleetside, V8 w/SM420 Drivable but the rear axle needs work.
I put an actual metal donor truck bed floor in a 1960 that had a wooden bed floor. A truck bed floor looks right with the ribs. Not just some piece of flat metal. Took some "engineering". The donor floor was cut into 3 pieces and welded back together. Used a 70's long bed. May be the only 1960 GMC with a steel, truck bed floor.
Watch out for careful drivers!!! I'm away on an ego trip. Will be back on Feb 30. I'm not an Auto Mechanic, but I play one on TV. I charge $0.02 for every opinion and I take Paypal. Plan B is always better than plan A, by definition. I recommend invoking MIL-T-FP41c when machining and fabricating I used to think beer was bad for me, so I gave up thinking. Sometimes no nonsense makes sense, in a sense. You can't teach a new dog old tricks. Honk if you're Amish
I am going to do composite decking. I think the width is 5.5 inches. I would need 9 boards to do this. I will router the strips just under the surface.
No sealing, no maint, and can deal with all elements.
1966 C-10 Step Side. 283, 4spd, 3.73 gear. 60K miles prior to restoration. 507 Paint Code. Currently in 10,000 pieces.
Bartamos, I can dig the Chocolate Chip chain covers.
Craig
Come, Bleed or Blister something has got to give!!! 59' Apache 31, 327 V8 (0.030 over), Muncie M20 4 Speed, GM 10 Bolt Rear... long term project (30 years and counting)
