Start of my new bed

admin

Here are pics of my last rig and the new truck which I purchased as a cab/chassis to become my new rig.  Below are a few pics of my new bed.  The cad below is just a rough copy but more or less going to be the platform for the rig.  I have pics of the cut list if anybody would like to see that.The top is 3/16th and the skirt is 1/8th.  The trough for my welder sits down in the bed 4" and the top of the bed will be 8.5" off the frame.  All I have to do now is save to a floppy disk and let the plasma go to work!  From then I'll just piece it together and start burning rods!
Reply:Looks like a straight forward design.  You said burning rods though, why dont you run wire on it?Lots of toys.
Reply:That will be a sweet rig!! Im jealous! weld it like you own it
Reply:That's going to be nice. Just curious, what's wrong with the Super Duty? It looks to be in pretty good shape still.Lincoln AC/DC 225/125 Stick Linde HDA-300 MillerMatic DVI MIG Miller Dynasty 200DX Hypertherm Powermax 1000
Reply:nice dont forget the pics!63' Lincoln SA200 2008 miller trailblazer 302fibre-metal pipelinermiller camo BWEand all the guns and ammo a growin boy needs
Reply:Originally Posted by Carl26That's going to be nice. Just curious, what's wrong with the Super Duty? It looks to be in pretty good shape still.
Reply:Yeah, they did that to me when I brought in a Ford rig from Virginia. It was leased and Md leases don't pay sales tax...but Tx does. I had to cough up about 1800.00.That Dodge looks like mine.
Reply:Tax... I like the design!!  Be sure to post pics when it's all done.  But as mentioned before, why not run wire on it?  Why stick?***Stick welding like, woah.***
Reply:79Texan, I lived in Texas till four years ago and bought a truck in Arkansas. I did not have to pay sales tax due to the price I payed for the truck. When I registered it in Texas, I was not required to pay sales tax. I would call another county and ask them what you need to register the truck. Sounds as if someone is trying to cloect extra revenue.
Reply:Here is the revised design and most likely the final design.
Reply:I like it!I'm sure you've thought of it; How about the compromise between a low body and adequate tire clearance when the suspension is bottomed out?Fenders, they go in and out of style. I think a lip or fender, like on your old body, has a lot of advantages.Can't wait to see it come together.
Reply:Nice, what's the V in the back of the bed for?  Using the bed for a saw stand?  Oh I liked the Ford better   But of course we all have our preferences.  Looks like it's gonna be a nice rig though.DewayneDixieland WeldingMM350PLincoln 100Some torchesOther misc. tools
Reply:Originally Posted by Carl26That's going to be nice. Just curious, what's wrong with the Super Duty? It looks to be in pretty good shape still.
Reply:Originally Posted by DubJBut as mentioned before, why not run wire on it?  Why stick?
Reply:Well said WelderBoy about running stick over mig.  I'm loving the Dodge...I should have bought one years ago!
Reply:Originally Posted by WelderBoyStick runs over dirty metal better.
Reply:here's a link to the thread where some pics of my bed i just built are. Maybe you can get some ideas from it?http://www.weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=11794
Reply:Banshee, that's a very nice looking bed.  Great job!  Thanks for offering with a few ideas.  I like the horseshoes for the jug.  I take it that's a 2007?  How many inches past the end of your frame did you go, and how far off the frame is the top of the bed?  I made mine 8".Last edited by 79TEXAN; 07-09-2007 at 10:40 PM.
Reply:What will you use for the framing support of the bed?  I would like to see some build pics when you get started
Reply:Originally Posted by 79TEXANBanshee, that's a very nice looking bed.  Great job!  Thanks for offering with a few ideas.  I like the horseshoes for the jug.  I take it that's a 2007?  How many inches past the end of your frame did you go, and how far off the frame is the top of the bed?  I made mine 8".
Reply:Here are a few pics of what was planned. It turned out just how I expected. It's been 99% complete for a while now, today I figured I would go out and snap a few pics. When I get back from Colorado, my welder and everything else will go on it. I just don't feel like lugging a 1100lb welder to CO and back for no reason. Here are a few pics. I rolled on some flat black to stop the rust, once everything else is on the truck I'll do the final paint.
Reply:Last edited by 79TEXAN; 09-07-2007 at 08:09 PM.Reason: Title Change
Reply:Looks great! On another note, Texas doesn't require reverse lights to pass inspection?John -  fabricator extraordinaire, car nut!-  bleeding Miller blue! http://www.weldfabzone.com
Reply:that looks awesome. cant wait to see it done. "Ask not for whom the bone bones, it bones for thee" - Bender
Reply:Originally Posted by MicroZoneLooks great! On another note, Texas doesn't require reverse lights to pass inspection?Very nice.  I have no practical need to convert my truck, but I almost want to anyway! Show some pics when its loaded up.
Reply:no reverse lights required? Must be cause everything is so big in Texas that you never have to backup cause there's always room to turn around goin forward! "Every choice you make will effect at least one other person"
Reply:I don't know how much your custom bed weighs, but a lightly loaded heavy-duty rig like that usually rides like a stone pile.  Or maybe it's just our crappy Pennsylvania roads?WeldingWeb forum--now more sophomoric banter than anything else!
Reply:Originally Posted by 79TEXANNope!  But I will throw some up top the headache rack when that is completed.
Reply:That's what I thought DDA, I just wanted him to clear any future issues. I have a friend in the automotive biz' down there, so I thought I was on the right track.John -  fabricator extraordinaire, car nut!-  bleeding Miller blue! http://www.weldfabzone.com
Reply:Where in Colorado did you go?
Reply:Originally Posted by DDA52Uhhhh...they sure do. I'd have to get my book out, but I believe you are required to have one below 54" off the ground. I run heavy trucks here and have gotten several 300 buck tickets for reverse lights being burned out. Just because your inspection dude let you by, the first DOT type you cross will not be so forgiving. Trust me on that one. Also, since you are over 96" wide, you have to have either conspicuity tape or reflectors on the back and sides. The reflector light lenses will pass, but be sure that is what you have, not all are reflector lenses and they check them with a flashlight. You'll need flaps for the duals as well. If you don't believe me, just go to the DPS office and pick up a Commercial Vehicle book. Everything I said will be in there. If you have dual rears, you are commercial.
Reply:Originally Posted by denrepNice bed 79texan. You sure don't deserve any legal hassles as a reward for your work!DDA52 brings up some good points to help stay off radar to begin with.The same nitpicker who would write up reverse lights, may want that clearance light to be at the front of the body.What's with the petty fines DDA52? Some kind of prize for being industrious?Would dual wheels alone compel 79texan to commercial registration?Isn't it a factor of weight and cargo? Of course if the truck would be based out of Mexico, it could probably be  exempt from the entire code!
Reply:You've brought some good points DDA52, it doesn't take but a few minutes and actually read the regs rather than going by "he said, she said" from from friends in the same business.  The mud flaps are on and as far as the lighting goes, I'll read on that today.  Like you said, it doesn't take much to just be legal!  Thanks for the advice
Reply:No worries. I was hoping you would take it alright. Some guys don't. I get maybe 80-90% of my violations with lighting. I just figured I would save you some money and headaches. After nearly 6 years of fine tuning one truck, I no longer get any warnings on light placement and reflectors. I would get stopped and get a ticket for something the last guy missed. That went on for several years, maybe as long as 4. We just finally got out the book and set it right. Now, that truck will sail through unless something is burned out.
Reply:Originally Posted by DDA52 Now, that truck will sail through unless something is burned out.
Reply:Fluid level isn't a ticket. Shift stickers don't apply to his weight class, but they do to mine and since they are std dealer equipment, it isn't a prob.No contest with the ticket. You really don't want to **** them off. At the time I got that ticket, I also had 13 other violations that could have been a seperate fine in and of themselves. Mostly becuase the just that morning tire guy didn't clean my rims before replacing them and I had 8 lugs loose. That would have been 2400 bucks right there. So, all in all I came out way ahead. With that many violations, they have to give you one fine. **** them off and ... I have gotten as many as 6-8 warnings at one time and no fines. With the lugs and the two brakes being out of adjustment, I had to have at least one. The light was the one they chose at random. Now that was with the real DOT. Local cops can give you tickets for anything they want. You just say thank you and then go to court. They way that you beat them on mechanical stuff, say brakes, is tell the officer to produce his valid DOT certification. The DOT officers must go to school twice a year to stay current. You could be dragging a brake assembly behind you by the air hoses and they could not fine you for inoperable brakes..unsafe vehicle yes, inoperable brakes, not without a valid cert. According to the courts, without the cert, the officer is not qualified to state the operability of the brakes. A technicality, yes, but one that works if you pay attention.As to whether or not his vehicle is commercial, it is a no brainer. He uses his truck to make money ( commerce/business ). That same rule would apply to a 1/2 ton as well. Since he is an individual running his own truck, a lot of those rules and record keeping things won't apply as I was informed by the courts. Since the truck is a dually, whether it is a commercial use truck or not, it has to comply with comm truck configurations and rules as regards equipment, lighting and so on. Every truck that comes from the factory is in compliance. Chassis cabs need to be brought into compliance.Yes the truck is commercial, no he would never be considered a motor carrier. Motor carriers are different in that the trucks are always on the road. To and from work sites with large quantities of time spent onsite doesn't make him a carrier. Mileage rules and driver hour rules do not apply. Log books are not required at that weight class regardless of carrier status. Driver qual and testing doesn't apply to an individual or family operated operation....who would you get to unbiasedly evaluate these quals?  DOT regis and ins not required since not a motor carrier, but are required if Interstate along with a USDOT # and ICC #. No such thing as a fuel permit anymore here for intrastate and local and there may never have been. You can let the rules irritate you and drive you nuts, but they are the absolute same for everyone. No one is special and they do take into consideration special circumstances/useage. As long as the truck conforms to the current configurations and is reasonable well kept and well kept up in appearance, no one will ever ask for all the record keeping or even pay him any attention. My 1T has never been stopped except when I did something stupid or something like a light was out. All he needs to do is get the lights right, keep the insurance up and drive safely. Doing that will most likely keep him from ever being pulled over. DOT doesn't need a reason to pull you over. They have spot inspection powers...local cops must have probable cause or in this case, a visible cause.
Reply:DDA52, Don't get me wrong, I'm on your side. But, sorry,  I'm not gonna eat any 300.00 **** sandwich if it aint on the menu!Sure as you say, "You really don't want to **** them off" but this is about law, not emotion. Law, facts and proofs; that's what the court considers. That's what all parties must rely on.If the law requires a shift placard -so we know how to shift- we have one. Right? But I'm sure that the people of the great state of Texas do not want individuals penalizing truckers with improper interpretations of law. If that happens, someone has to take those individuals to task, educate them,  maybe in an extreme case,  help them to find a more suitable  line of work. I mostly agree with you but..."Fluid level isn't a ticket" - No, but a cop could write - inoperable washer- regardless of cause. Maybe as a truce. "Since he is an individual running his own truck, a lot of those rules and record keeping things won't apply as I was informed by the courts." - Again the court would ask for proof and probably rely on this Texas code: 643.001. DEFINITIONS.  In this chapter:6)   "Motor carrier" means an individual, association, corporation, or other legal entity that controls, operates, or directs the operation of one or more vehicles that transport persons or cargo over a road or highway in this state. ... "As to whether or not his vehicle is commercial, it is a no brainer" -I differ on dual wheels defining a commercial vehicle.What about pickups, motorhomes, horse haulers?Why not put single wheels on your dump trucks? I'm not a Texas trucker or lawyer, and could be wrong. But just like any  ticket I might dispute, I would simply be asking for the  proof, show me, I want to know.Myself, I would  interpret 79TEXAN's truck as not being  a commercial vehicle,  according to Texas legal definition. I would put the money on this:"SECTION 16.01.  Subdivision (1), Section 548.001, Transportation Code, is amended to read as follows:1)  "Commercial motor vehicle" means a self-propelled or towed vehicle, other than a farm vehicle with a gross weight, registered weight, or gross weight rating of less than 48,000 pounds, that is used on a public highway to transport passengers or cargo if:(A)  the vehicle, including a school activity bus as defined in Section 541.201, or combination of vehicles has a gross weight, registered weight, or gross weight rating of more than 26,000 pounds;(B)  the vehicle, including a school activity bus as defined in Section 541.201, is designed or used to transport more than 15 passengers, including the driver; or(C)  the vehicle is used to transport hazardous materials in a quantity requiring placarding by a regulation issued under the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act (49 U.S.C. Section 5101 [1801] et seq.)"I know we're a little off topic, but I think this is important to hard working weldors everywhere, who are  out there doing a little trucking. My original point: "79Texan - I would start with the definition of a CMV. Of course you want to be safe and responsible. But really, where does it end, are you a manufacturer too now?"So, according to Texas law,  is it a commercial vehicle or not?Last edited by denrep; 09-09-2007 at 03:19 PM.
Reply:This is what happens when you start looking at the perzact letter without all the context. That, and you are making way too big of a deal of it. I've been running heavy trucks here since '99 and haven't had any troubles over a few tickets and one state certificate foul up that was not my fault. It isn't that hard or nearly as time consuming as it is made out to be or as all this explanation is.As defined, he doesn't meet motor carrier criteria. No cargo, no persons.Commercial is merely a title. It does not mean he will pay more or less for tags, etc. It does denote the level of equipment, lighting for instance, he will need to have. Duals indicate over 9900# capacity and thus not a regular passenger vehicle. They do put singles on dump trucks, tractors and straight trucks. They are called Super Singles, but they still have the heavy weight rating which is the basis for the definition. If I put SS's on my dumps, I would still have a 47,500# rating and will still be commercial and still be a motor carrier. The duals are merely an outward indication of the weight capacity. The one tons and such are not classed as passenger vehicles. They are the next step up by weight and capacity. They are classed as commercial vehicles. That is why POA's can ban them from their subdivisions and get away with it. Pickups, motorhomes and haulers all have to have the same equipment. But, if you look at my previous post, it is the same stuff that comes standard from the factory on all vehicles, including passenger cars, except chassis cabs since the final disposition and style of the vehicle is determined by the end user. That is why I say it is no big deal. Since he has a flatbed with a welder on a one ton chassis, he will fall into a higher scrutiny bracket. If they see nothing wrong, he will be left alone as I am with my one ton dually pickup.Going over and over the definition will do nothing but make you dizzy.  Regardless of its disposition, for this truck, the lighting requirements, insurance requirements, driver qualifications, liscensing requirements etc, are exactly the same as any normal class C passenger vehicle. Actually the lighting is only basically the same. It being a dually adds an extra level of lighting to the equation. It adds extra markers and reflectors due to it being over the "normal size" of cars, thus the extra marker lamps, reflectors or conspicuity tape, and the three on a strip front and rear. Trying to fight the tickets will equally make you dizzy. The fines are what they are. Burned out lighting or missing lighting is a 180 buck fine where I live for a car...don't ask me how I know. For his truck, all he needs to do is get the lighting on the rear right and get it inspected. That is all I believe. No applications, no fee's no extra registration, nada. Just get it legal and go to work. And fwiw.....I have been through a few inspections where the DOT spent an hour and a half under and around the trucks checking stuff I don't even really want to know about. Windshield washers were never checked. Wipers, yes...washers no. Good thing, too. Mine hardly ever are working.
Reply:Maybe I am being too wordy about the commercial name. Simply put Commercial is the next level above passenger cars and over 9900#gvwr since that is the overwhelmingly main use of the class of vehicle.Below that 9900 number and they are considered everyday plain old pickups or cars. Above that and you get a different name, that's all.Some states require DOT #'s for 9000# gvwr and up when used for business. Alabama is one of those if memory serves. That is why some guys prefer one ton single rear wheel or 3/4 tonners to avoid the scrutiny. The duals are the tipoff in 99% of the scrutinies.( could be wrong about that 9900 number. If it isn't that, it is somehwere close to that number by a few hundred pounds.)
Reply:That so-called commercial designation is definitely one confusing term, especially from state to state. Weight is generally only one determining factor. In most states weight is usually one trigger, but vehicle use or type is also another as well. Then there are many times the issue of jurisdiction. By that I mean that an ordinary pickup or truck would normally fall under the hi-way patrol/private passenger vehicles rules might very well be subject to Dept of Transportation regs once it's determined to be "commercial".. Then you have states (CA) where one entity enforces both sets of rules. That makes at least 3 times 3 variables there. A plain ole CHP could pull you over then call for a commercial cop (also CHP) to do a further inspection. Many officers might be trained in both, ie a commercial cop doing traffice duty, ha!!
Reply:Originally Posted by DDA52This is what happens when you start looking at the (exact?) letter without all the context. That, and you are making way too big of a deal of it...
Reply:I didn't get threatened. I got 8 individual warnings for each lug. That was 8 out of 10 for the wheel. Loose wheel is not on the plate since it was not loose. The last two held it in place. On CMV violations, each individual infraction is a seperate issue. They are never grouped together like that. Never have and never will. You can concievably get into the 10's of thousands of dollars quickly if you let stuff go unattended. I have had 4 out of 6 brakes out of adjustment...result was 4 violations and a ticket and red tag for only one. They could have gotten me for all 4 but they don't as a rule. The only time I have ever heard of getting nailed for every single one is when someone was killed and or seriously injured as a result of neglecting the truck. That is the price one pays for not keeping up a very dangerous vehicle. We inspect out trucks every day before they hit the road for just this reason. My wife and I both look at things during the day as well. We just have to play by the rules. The rules are tehre for the public's safety. They take a dim view of those that shirk their responsibilities. I'm not worried about it a bit. I play by the rules as far as I possibly can. I bet I haven't paid over 1000 bucks for all my violations over the years. I would be surprised if it was over 600 to be honest...they used to be 180 and less a pop. My wife has only paid about 500 or so. For all the miles those truck are on the road, that isn't too bad, IMO. Just the cost of doing business.
Reply:isn't this supposed to be a bed building thread and not a dot light law thread?   The bed is looking good 79texan!!
Reply:Originally Posted by banshee35 isn't this supposed to be a bed building thread and not a dot light law thread?   The bed is looking good 79texan!!
Reply:Originally Posted by denrepIt is! and It is!The posts are bringing to light that bed building and truck specing must be carefully thought out! Seems relevant to me.I'll step aside for any more specific bed building posts.Until you've been in the lions mouth it's hard to comprehend.
Reply:Man I'm glad I don't live in Texas, If they enforced all of those  laws like that around this area there wouldn't be any farm trucks on the road at all.Half of the old two ton and pickup trucks you see on the county roads in this area are lucky to have two tail lights that work let alone anything else
Reply:Originally Posted by banshee35Excuse... me! I have 2 beds w/pic floatin' around on this board that I built from scratch. I don't guess I know anything about how to build beds or lighting laws. I'll just step back and continue to lurk and watch the gurus beat this thread to death.
Reply:Back to the dogs; you know it's a whipped pup that grows up the toughest!Quite often the meanest, and unfortunately some end up mauling to death the neighbors kid.
Reply:Originally Posted by rat4spdBack to the dogs; you know it's a whipped pup that grows up the toughest!Quite often the meanest, and unfortunately some end up mauling to death the neighbors kid.