Dump Body Rebuild On The Cheap!

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Now before you go getting your undies all in a bunch....All I put in my truck is FIREWOOD and nothing else..No sand..Stones..Gravel..Mulch..Dirt..Because I don't have a cover tarp and it's a  to transport that type of material around here without one..Awhile ago I made 2 frames out of 2" X 2" X 1/4" angle for the sides of the truck..Filled the panels with sheet plastic and called it a day..The original dump bed was rotting away at an unreal clip and my inspector said the holes in the sides had to go..That was then this is now..One Saturday I took the cutting torch to a piece of FREE 3/8" diamond plate and cut out new panels for the frames..We also had a pile of 3" channel left over from the big job we did in May so all I had to do was add 14" to each piece to make them long enough for new "Ribs" that go between the dump body itself and the dump frame..After all the parts were cut...and prepped here is what I did with the help of a very accomplished welder friend in 3.5 hrs..Took off the frames and lost the plastic and then welded in the diamond plate into the frames..While the frames were off the truck I took a sledgehammer and quietly slid the new ribs in next to the old rotten ribs..After the frames were complete we put them back on the sides and lined up the ribs..Got the STICK welder going and had at it..The panels near the lights on the rear of the truck are new also..We basically skinned over the old skin..I actually like the "Flat Sides" better than what is on a standard dump bed..After that I fabbed up a new lighter tailgate that I can remove easily by just undoing the factory latch assy's and I designed it so the wood can not possibly push it open..Even added rubber pads to the bottom so the noise is kept at bay..The original tailgate was a heavy P.O.S. and I am glad it's gone!!Finally! it goes back down without any help from me because it was rotting so bad it was too light to come back down by itself!All that new steel has some serious weight so the bed is co-operating easily once again..Say what you want but I like it and 90% of the material was free!I get all the fun jobs.....zap!Last edited by zapster; 09-20-2012 at 04:47 PM.I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:Looks good man, nice save! I would have never left those holes in the welds tho on the right side. Even if it dont make a differance structurally, I still could'nt look at them. Only bustin your chops bud, good job, but i'm serious I hate being bi-polar it's awsomeMy Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
Reply:There is always Bondo....zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:That come with the three year, 50 thou warranty?  Nice save Zap.  Best  Bob
Reply:Originally Posted by rhuntThat come with the three year, 50 thou warranty?  Nice save Zap.  Best  Bob
Reply:looking good!! This reminds me i need to repaint the body on our lowboy -- but its getting cold now ughhhh.Im guessing when you dump youll just pull that gate off? id hate to see what 3 yards of firewood does to that thing Last edited by Silverado; 09-20-2012 at 08:38 PM.Miller Dynasty 300 DXMiller CST280Miller Maxstar 150 STH
Reply:Originally Posted by zapsterThere is always Bondo....zap!
Reply:Looks as good as mine... Attached ImagesEsab/Lorch ET-220iEsab 160i caddyThermal LM-200 Lincoln feedersThermal Pee-Wee 85sThermal 60i- 3phase /RPC powered (Beast)Thermal Drag-gun 35CINE 1500 Klutch 140i
Reply:By the condition of the undercarriage, I'd say you're in the North-east.  You should get the better part of 10yrs out of it.Considering it was "almost" free, that a good deal.
Reply:Originally Posted by RossBy the condition of the undercarriage, I'd say you're in the North-east.  You should get the better part of 10yrs out of it.Considering it was "almost" free, that a good deal.
Reply:Looks great Zap!Where's the dime and a closeup? Or did your "very accomplished welder friend", manage to swipe the dime from you?Oh yeah, how many trailers do you haul?"Where's Stick man????????" - 7A749"SHHHHHH!! I sent him over to snag that MIC-4 while tbone wasn't looking!" - duaneb55"I have bought a few of Tbone's things unlike Stick-Man who helps himself" - TozziWelding"Stick-man"
Reply:Originally Posted by RossBy the condition of the undercarriage, I'd say you're in the North-east.  You should get the better part of 10yrs out of it.Considering it was "almost" free, that a good deal.
Reply:Originally Posted by InsanerideNice truck and bed.  I really dig those Alcoa rims you got.
Reply:Originally Posted by Silveradolooking good!! This reminds me i need to repaint the body on our lowboy -- but its getting cold now ughhhh.Im guessing when you dump youll just pull that gate off? id hate to see what 3 yards of firewood does to that thing
Reply:Originally Posted by Mick120Salt.....snow.....cold.....Damn, you guy's would hate it here.....
Reply:X2 on the sled. Mine is angry from a crappy last winter. Attached Images
Reply:Good job, Zap!! I imagine having the salt spreader contributed a lot to the rusting before you bought it. Being just a wood hauler the box should outlast the truck unless you're plowing w/ it also.                                        MikeOl' Stonebreaker  "Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes"Hobart G-213 portableMiller 175 migMiller thunderbolt ac/dc stick Victor O/A setupMakita chop saw
Reply:Originally Posted by sbchp355X2 on the sled. Mine is angry from a crappy last winter.
Reply:Originally Posted by mla2ofusGood job, Zap!! I imagine having the salt spreader contributed a lot to the rusting before you bought it. Being just a wood hauler the box should outlast the truck unless you're plowing w/ it also.                                        Mike