Project 1966 K20 adventure rig

[roll_the_dice]

Originally Posted by 72cs20

For now I'll leave that gap open. I don't expect much bending or deflection in that area. But we'll see once the truck is loaded up to it's trip ready weight.

Thanks, I appreciate it!

[72cs20]

More progress on the bed. Got the 1 1/2 x1 1/2 cross rails and the 2x3 outside rails in today. Now just need to finish up the welding.

[roll_the_dice]

The bed is going to look so good! Are you buying your steel tubing locally? Mind saying how much you think the bed will cost? I looked yesterday and haven't found a local source yet and online pricing was crazy. Thanks

[72cs20]

Thanks!

With the steel, lighting, welding supplies and miscellaneous items, 2500.00 or less is the goal. So far I have 1550.00 in steel alone and still need more to finish the cab guard and the tail end.

I bought locally.

[roll_the_dice]

Much appreciated! I need to find the steel locally then...

It makes me happy when someone is a few (thousand) steps ahead and I can learn. This is such a great board! I have seen boards where people show things, but are stingy on how they actually achieve it.

[72cs20]

Still working on the bed! The main part of the bed and most of the welding is finished. The remainder of the welding can be completed when the bed is off the truck for painting.

Currently working on the rear step and light panel. Have the main step installed and rear panel cut out to hold the rear lighting. I'm trying to keep this all as simple as possible, but there is still a bit more work to do in the step area.

The lighting locations are all good. Now working on routing all the wiring to get the lights hooked up and tested. Playing around with license plate locations too.

[88Stanger]

Originally Posted by 72cs20

Still working on the bed! The main part of the bed and most of the welding is finished. The remainder of the welding can be completed when the bed is off the truck for painting.

Currently working on the rear step and light panel. Have the main step installed and rear panel cut out to hold the rear lighting. I'm trying to keep this all as simple as possible, but there is still a bit more work to do in the step area.

The lighting locations are all good. Now working on routing all the wiring to get the lights hooked up and tested. Playing around with license plate locations too.

damn fine work sir!!

[72cs20]

A little more progress at the rear of the bed. Settled on a license plate location and then installed the license plate light.

Also kept going on the step area. Added a second section behind the main step to support a hitch receiver. I then want tie all of this to the frame utilizing the factory bumper bracket bolt holes.

[72cs20]

Thanks fellas for the positive comments. Much appreciated!

Still plugging along on the bed. This week was work on the rear lighting terminal block. Got it mounted to the rear crossmember with a homemade L bracket.

Receiver for the hitch is in. And also got some plates made to tie into frame.

This next week I'm going look at fuel fill and mud flaps.

[roll_the_dice]

Looks good..are you going to put a hitch receiver on the rear?

[The Rocknrod]

This is some great Fab work your doing and it's coming along nicely.

[roll_the_dice]

I love what you're doing with the bed! It's awesome...great job.

[72cs20]

Thanks! It has been a lot of work, but fun. And I've been using this project to learn how to use my mig welder.

[72cs20]

I decided to tackle the fuel filler location today. Settled on a final location and mocked it up. I think it will work. Still need to get a reducer for the vent line.

And also terminated the rear wiring harness.

[cwcarpenter98]

The bed is turning out great!

Might just be me, but I'd be worried about some fuel spilling out with the neck being parallel to the ground like that. Maybe you could pull the bottom of the mount out some to give it more of a downward angle right at the opening so it's less likely to have any fuel splash out?

[Captainfab]

I agree with Christian. The fuel filler should be at more of an angle. You are going to get fuel spilling on the ground while trying to fill the tank. You might have to recess it into the outside bed rail.

[72cs20]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

I agree with Christian. The fuel filler should be at more of an angle. You are going to get fuel spilling on the ground while trying to fill the tank. You might have to recess it into the outside bed rail.

I have looked into recessing it into the bed rail but am trying to avoid that. But if all else fails, what is necessary will be done. There are a number of options, but in end, I don't want a truck that is difficult to fill up.

[72cs20]

Almost ready. I need to finish up some welding on the inside of the main rails and then this bed can be painted.

I finished up the frame to bed connections using 1/4 inch plate. Also made connectors between the two horizontal sections of the rear step. With these things done, I pulled the whole thing of the truck and set it on stands. I hope to have it primed and painted this weekend.

[72cs20]

Bed is cleaned, primed and painted semi-gloss black and ready to go back on the truck!

[72cs20]

Originally Posted by cwcarpenter98

The bed is turning out great!

Might just be me, but I'd be worried about some fuel spilling out with the neck being parallel to the ground like that. Maybe you could pull the bottom of the mount out some to give it more of a downward angle right at the opening so it's less likely to have any fuel splash out?

Thanks! Input for this project is always welcome and you're right concerning the angle of that filler hose. I have fiddled with the angle and position of the filler neck bracket. It should work for now but I'm not quite done messing with it just yet. Also, the filler neck is newer type with a screw in cap that has a big sealing o-ring. I'm confident fuel spillage won't be a problem.

[cwcarpenter98]

Looks great

[72cs20]

Thanks cw!

The bed is coming along nicely. Ready to shop for boards. I am going to do a front panel/headache rack, but I'm waiting for steel prices to come down. My steel supplier says prices are expected to drop after April 1st. We'll see.

I manhandled the bed back onto the truck and got it bolted down. Finished up the rear lighting junction box. Got the rear panel painted up and lights installed.

I was just going to wire up the rear lights when I noticed a coolant leak up front. I was hoping for just a loose hose connection, but nope, the brand new radiator has a leak somewhere above the drain petcock. This radiator has maybe 90 minutes engine run time. Annoying.

[350TacoZilla]

Bed looks good on there and definitely built heavy lol.

[72cs20]

Originally Posted by 350TacoZilla

Bed looks good on there and definitely built heavy lol.

Thanks. I'm betting it's probably 500 lbs. give or take. It didn't compress the rear springs much at all.

[russellmarling]

We put a Cold-Case radiator in a Jeep at our shop at customer request. The first one leaked immediately, they sent us another one and it lasted a few weeks. Never again. Needless to say, the Jeep now has a regular old NAPA replacement radiator in it and it hasn't had a problem since.