Decking over my truck bed with steel..... pics....

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About a month ago, I bought this 91 GMC 3500 4x4 diesel truck....Here's the thread on that. http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php...s-a-good-truckI'm gonna build it into a welding rig, so of course, it's gotta be a steel, solid deck.It was tempting to build an all new bed, but, I figured I'll just fix this one up, it should last a while.Enjoy the pics.Tearing all the wood off....Just a couple welders, big hammers, grinders, and torches.Work will free you.Men in dirty jeans built this country, while men in clean suits have destroyed it. Trump/Carson 2016-2024
Reply:And I replaced the muffler, so I might as well show those pics.Just a couple welders, big hammers, grinders, and torches.Work will free you.Men in dirty jeans built this country, while men in clean suits have destroyed it. Trump/Carson 2016-2024
Reply:Just a couple welders, big hammers, grinders, and torches.Work will free you.Men in dirty jeans built this country, while men in clean suits have destroyed it. Trump/Carson 2016-2024
Reply:And I rerouted the fuel filler hose.Gotta make room for my underbody boxes...Just a couple welders, big hammers, grinders, and torches.Work will free you.Men in dirty jeans built this country, while men in clean suits have destroyed it. Trump/Carson 2016-2024
Reply:And now, We gotta put about 120 feet of 1 1/2" x1/8" wall tubing on the bed, to fill up the space where the wood was....Flush with the perimeter.Just a couple welders, big hammers, grinders, and torches.Work will free you.Men in dirty jeans built this country, while men in clean suits have destroyed it. Trump/Carson 2016-2024
Reply:Still nice and flat.Last edited by AKweldshop; 04-04-2015 at 02:40 AM.Just a couple welders, big hammers, grinders, and torches.Work will free you.Men in dirty jeans built this country, while men in clean suits have destroyed it. Trump/Carson 2016-2024
Reply:Just a couple welders, big hammers, grinders, and torches.Work will free you.Men in dirty jeans built this country, while men in clean suits have destroyed it. Trump/Carson 2016-2024
Reply:Then I bought (2) 4'x8' shhets of 3/16" steel.And got them sandblasted on one side.And cut to size.Just a couple welders, big hammers, grinders, and torches.Work will free you.Men in dirty jeans built this country, while men in clean suits have destroyed it. Trump/Carson 2016-2024
Reply:Just a couple welders, big hammers, grinders, and torches.Work will free you.Men in dirty jeans built this country, while men in clean suits have destroyed it. Trump/Carson 2016-2024
Reply:Just a couple welders, big hammers, grinders, and torches.Work will free you.Men in dirty jeans built this country, while men in clean suits have destroyed it. Trump/Carson 2016-2024
Reply:Just a couple welders, big hammers, grinders, and torches.Work will free you.Men in dirty jeans built this country, while men in clean suits have destroyed it. Trump/Carson 2016-2024
Reply:Just a couple welders, big hammers, grinders, and torches.Work will free you.Men in dirty jeans built this country, while men in clean suits have destroyed it. Trump/Carson 2016-2024
Reply:Just a couple welders, big hammers, grinders, and torches.Work will free you.Men in dirty jeans built this country, while men in clean suits have destroyed it. Trump/Carson 2016-2024
Reply:Just a couple welders, big hammers, grinders, and torches.Work will free you.Men in dirty jeans built this country, while men in clean suits have destroyed it. Trump/Carson 2016-2024
Reply:To be continued.....Just a couple welders, big hammers, grinders, and torches.Work will free you.Men in dirty jeans built this country, while men in clean suits have destroyed it. Trump/Carson 2016-2024
Reply:I was wondering what you were going to do about the rear stake pockets when you decked them over. I think I still would have notched for them like you did the front ones.You might also want to silicone the bolts thru the tops of the boxes. I'm not a big fan of holes in the top of boxes like that since they always seem to leak no matter what you do to try and seal them.I'm also a bit surprised to see plain flat steel vs diamond plate. The plain steel deck of our old work truck was slick as ice when wet. I'd hate to see it in a place with a ton of snow and ice..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:looks good, might be slippery with the smooth steel on the back....Of all the things I lost I miss my mind the most...I know just enough about everything to be dangerous......You cant cure stupid..only kill it...
Reply:At the very least use grip tape, or paint and add grit to the portions that wont have the welder on them.
Reply:If you ever repaint it you might want to mix some very fine sand in with it for a little grip
Reply:Originally Posted by DSWI was wondering what you were going to do about the rear stake pockets when you decked them over. I think I still would have notched for them like you did the front ones.You might also want to silicone the bolts thru the tops of the boxes. I'm not a big fan of holes in the top of boxes like that since they always seem to leak no matter what you do to try and seal them.I'm also a bit surprised to see plain flat steel vs diamond plate. The plain steel deck of our old work truck was slick as ice when wet. I'd hate to see it in a place with a ton of snow and ice.
Reply:I'm surprised you didn't put any hitch type receiver drop ins on it john.I have them on my welding table and trailer. Any of my accessories I already have those bases on fit. They're really handy and can be cleanly removed when not in use so you can utilize the entire work surface. Mine all pin from the bottom and are a flat square hole on the surface.A V angle channel is handy too if you do long tubing type stuff. If I ever get a flat bed like that, I'll add one to it.What did steel set you back? It looks goodExpert Garage Hack....https://www.facebook.com/steven.webber.948
Reply:Originally Posted by 7A749I'm surprised you didn't put any hitch type receiver drop ins on it john.I have them on my welding table and trailer. Any of my accessories I already have those bases on fit. They're really handy and can be cleanly removed when not in use so you can utilize the entire work surface. Mine all pin from the bottom and are a flat square hole on the surface.A V angle channel is handy too if you do long tubing type stuff. If I ever get a flat bed like that, I'll add one to it.What did steel set you back? It looks good
Reply:Originally Posted by AKweldshopDo you wan't to have a diamond plate welding table?
Reply:Originally Posted by AKweldshopWhat is a hitch type receiver drop ins ?? I'm thinking about adding some angle iron to the back.Steel was about $400-$500.
Reply:Here's some of the stuff you can do with the receiver hitch style modular system...http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php...=1#post5692311Expert Garage Hack....https://www.facebook.com/steven.webber.948Looks nice
Reply:Looking good John , but why was all that bracing and fussing on the back corner ? Why did you relocate the fuel filler if the boxes were going on the rear . Last but not the least important thing no one told you you were doing it wrong ,or it would fall apart ,or rust etc.etc.  gxbxc
Reply:Originally Posted by gxbxcLooking good John , but why was all that bracing and fussing on the back corner ? Why did you relocate the fuel filler if the boxes were going on the rear . Last but not the least important thing no one told you you were doing it wrong ,or it would fall apart ,or rust etc.etc.  gxbxc
Reply:Originally Posted by 7A749This. Makes adding and removing accessories a breeze. I have vises, anvils, torch holders, multi tool docks for air tools, grinder stands and angle fixtures for vises. Even my spare tire mount on my trailer is a drop in deal. I can easily remove and change things if need be with this system. By far not a new idea, but quite handy.IMHO of course
Reply:Originally Posted by shaynoaksometimes the simplest ideas are the best! I love the idea of being able to easily move the vice. And for a work truck its perfect because you can lock it up so the crackheads don't get it!
Reply:To be honest, I like a smooth steel deck on a flat bed.
Reply:Awesome job.AHP AlphaTig 200x 3rd gen.Lincoln Power Mig 210MP
Reply:why did u sandblast one side of the 3/16th sheet?
Reply:That's the side he painted.
Reply:Im no expert but if he paints the top doesn't he lose his ground for welding on it?
Reply:Don,t know if i would trust mounting those underbody boxes off the roof of box.Stuff gets heavy.Mine are all set in L brackets.Plus bouncing down road gonna crack those thin boxes like tissue paper.If they begin to rust which they will you,ll lose one on the road.JMO.Most i have mounted running channel horizontal off frame of flatbed with gussets.And bolted thru side panels off box.I load mine heavy maybe you not gonna carry much.
Reply:Originally Posted by admsweldingDon,t know if i would trust mounting those underbody boxes off the roof of box.Stuff gets heavy.Mine are all set in L brackets.Plus bouncing down road gonna crack those thin boxes like tissue paper.If they begin to rust which they will you,ll lose one on the road.JMO.Most i have mounted running channel horizontal off frame of flatbed with gussets.And bolted thru side panels off box.I load mine heavy maybe you not gonna carry much.
Reply:Mounting tool boxes in close proximity to wheels can lead to problems sometimes.  had my fuel tank been made of aluminum, or mounted closer to the tires, it would have been a different story.I've seen more spread axle trailers with tool boxes mounted between the wheels, and more of them mangled pretty badly when a tire blows.  At the very least, they're corroded badly by the constant crap thrown up by the tires.Just a thought, with a little experience thrown in"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:That was an $1100 day.  $600 for a new tire, and service call.  And $500 for a new used hood."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Originally Posted by M J DThat is the only way I would mount them, especially the aluminum ones. 3 " channel with a 1/4" x2" strap ran on the side as a brace is how its typically done. 2 braces is good for a 3' box, any longer should have a center brace. Without proper mounting  the door latches not staying closed will usually be the first problem.
Reply:John,Great work on the bed!  Do you recall how you welded the fillets on the underside of the plate to the square tube, such as rod and amps?  Not a hole blown through anywhere!!!!  Super!I noticed in one picture where you were cutting the 3/16" plate along the side of the bed.  Looked like a metal cutting circular saw.  Mind saying what you were using...saw and blade?
Reply:Originally Posted by shortfuseJohn,Great work on the bed!  Do you recall how you welded the fillets on the underside of the plate to the square tube, such as rod and amps?  Not a hole blown through anywhere!!!!  Super!I noticed in one picture where you were cutting the 3/16" plate along the side of the bed.  Looked like a metal cutting circular saw.  Mind saying what you were using...saw and blade?
Reply:Looking good to me bro! Keep it up!I hate being bi-polar it's awsomeMy Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
Reply:I just pulled an underbody tool box off my ram 2500, don't think its going back cause of all the mud and rust I found. put mudflaps in front of the tires but still don't think its goin back. Hey 7a749 post a pick of your drop in tire holder.
Reply:Originally Posted by AKweldshopEvery weld on this deck was .035 mig.All the tubing welds were 19.5v 225ipm.All the welds for the sheets to the tubing was 21v 300ipm.The saw is an evolution 180, with evolution blades.
Reply:Originally Posted by shortfuseOK, thanks!  I didn't know if you used stick or MIG, just assumed stick.  Looks like the Evolution saw worked just fine for your job.
Reply:Nice job to say the least, the value of that truck just doubled itself for sale in the future.
Reply:Originally Posted by AKweldshopI'm smarter now.I use mig.
Reply:Mig is definately the tool for this type project. Lookin good!Yeah, I know, but it'll be ok!Lincoln Square wave 255Miller Vintage mig30a spoolgunThermal Dynamics Pacmaster 100xl plasmaSmith mc torchEllis 1600 band saw
Reply:Nice job. Weld done. Ha!