My new truck arrived this week.

admin

Well, I finally got my new truck. I found this 1999 chevy k3500. I spent most of the day trying to figure out how to get that top off of the bed. Think I have it figured out. A couple of 1" tack welds and 4 plug welds and that ugly thing has to go. I can't wait until Saturday to start on it. It will be nice to to finally get my welding equipment off the trailer and onto this truck. Attached Images
Reply:Nice looking truck.  One of my "in the past" welding rigs was a former Bell telephone truck.  It had a sliding roof top.  I almost took the top off, then thought about it.  I could secure all my tools/cables that were in the back, with the top and rear doors locked.  So I left it on.  What with the theft of copper these days you may want to think about leaving it on.  Anyway, what ever you decide, post pics of it "rigged".
Reply:I really like that utility body.  I don't know how practical it is for your use, but could you adapt it?Outside exhaust piping.  Different location for bottles than usual.Access to install the welder would be difficult, but maybe with a porta power to slide it in, and pull it out if necessary.I used to have a camper shell on my pickup, and I had to take it off.  To this day, I miss it.  It was pain in the azz to load feed, but you didn't have to go out at 3 in the morning to tarp uncovered feed sacks when it started to rain.Think about it before you 86 it.  They're pretty expensive units if you had to go out and buy onePawelder had a good thought on security.  Not so much that you can lock it.  More like "What they don't see, they don't know to steal"Nice truck"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Nice rig.  Mind sharing any of the details?MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:Wasssup DuaneDid you notice it has the obligatory from- the- dealer Armorall on the tires.  Guananteed to repel peein' dogs, lower aerodynamic drag, and increase tread life."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:i always think those things are mounted wrong. it always looks like the truck is swaybacked.the top rocks if you are a neat and clean junkie. you can get exhaust bulkheads to keep your welder inside. ( does make welder maintenace harder.  there are slide trays that would let you slide your welder in and out thoughinsert thoughtful quote from someone else2000 Thermal Arc 300GTSW 3.5 hours1946 Monarch 20 x 54 Lathe1998 Supermax 10x54 Mill2004 Haco Atlantic 1/2" Capacity Lasernot mine but i get to play with it
Reply:Originally Posted by farmersammWasssup DuaneDid you notice it has the obligatory from- the- dealer Armorall on the tires.  Guananteed to repel peein' dogs, lower aerodynamic drag, and increase tread life.
Reply:It's a beautiful truck Duane.  I wish I could afford a new one like that"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Come on, you know you like the big...blue...box...thing!
Reply:Originally Posted by farmersammIt's a beautiful truck Duane.  I wish I could afford a new one like that
Reply:That thing looks like they tried grafting two vehicles together.  Either that or one ran up the butt of another.MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:That Mits looks like a toy "Transformers" action figure.  You know, where the lines are nevery really perfect, but the cap flips backwards and acts as the feet, and the rest of it then folds out.
Reply:Originally Posted by duaneb55That thing looks like they tried grafting two vehicles together.  Either that or one ran up the butt of another.
Reply:Nice find!  I like it!  That is a real nice looking rig!I agree with Farmersamm about changing to external exhaust... the truck needs a pair of chrome stacks with heat shields at the rear corners of the cab!  Don't forget to include rain caps that clap and jingle when idling!Member, AWSLincoln ProMIG 140Lincoln AC TombstoneCraftsman Lathe 12 x 24 c1935Atlas MFC Horizontal MillCraftsman Commercial Lathe 12 x 36 c1970- - - I'll just keep on keepin' on.
Reply:sweet ride. lets see what happens to it now.
Reply:Originally Posted by TractapacIf you hadn't wasted all that money on Champions all your life and switched to NGKs you'd prolly be able to have one!To the OP classy truck. You guys have trucks big enough to put good sized bodies on. I know what you mean about the top but I'd think a while before cutting it off. Have a good look to see if you can make it work for you.Chenry, you should see the Mitsubishi Triton with a canopy for looking swaybacked. Whole thing looks like a Ken and Barby doll wagon IMHO.
Reply:If you could figure out a good spot to mount a welder in there that would be really sharp.  Plumbing exaust would not be that difficult.  Have ample storage space.It looks like an former airforce vehicle. with paint and ultility body on it.  I like the lights on the box, that would be handy when dark out.
Reply:machavis very nice rig I just p/u a yuma fire truck 88 gmc with a knaphiede box going to be fitting it out soon keep us posted as to the progess as I  will be doing the same with minewill post my build in a new thread250DXMM251MM175225G plus 251D-1
Reply:Congradulations on your new rigI like that blue.Did you say you were keeping the utility bed? weld it like you own it
Reply:ok ill ask what did you get for its a nice truckim looking at a GMC with a crane there asking $72,988.00 Attached Images
Reply:How far do the outriggers extend?"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:All right you boys got me to thinking. I am going to keep the utility bed, it's just the cover that I was thinking of removing. So, I'm going to think on that for a couple of days.I found a slide out tray that will hold up to 1000 lbs. More than enough for the Trailblazer. I'm a little worried about viberation. Could fab up some adjustable legs.A couple of other thoughts I would like your opinions on. I was thinking about removing the back seat and building a flat platform. I would keep the High Freq unit, 12VS Suitcase and plasma cutter locked up in the cab. Thoughts...A little about the truck. It's a 1999 3500 4X4 with the 6.5 turbo diesel and automatic trans. The sweet thing is it only has 50,450 miles on it. It runs great, my favorite mechanic checked it out and the only thing wrong is a wiring problem. It was an Air Force truck. When they removed the radio and other electronic add-ons, they just cut wires and taped them all together. It took me most of this afternoon to trace all the wires and terminate properly. All is good now. Oh yeah, I got the truck for $7000.Any other suggestions for the set-up. I am basically a millwright, so, I will be carrying hand tools as well as welding, fabricating and line boring equipment.Thanks, for all your help!
Reply:oha it comes with extra armorall Attached Images
Reply:ed mac, that's one hellva truck. If you can stand all that overhead, go for it. Trucks are like garages. They are never big enough and never enough room for tools.
Reply:I have a bed similar to that if I can find my camera I will post pics on Sat.Originally Posted by machavised mac, that's one hellva truck. If you can stand all that overhead, go for it. Trucks are like garages. They are never big enough and never enough room for tools.
Reply:Originally Posted by machavisAll right you boys got me to thinking. I am going to keep the utility bed, it's just the cover that I was thinking of removing. So, I'm going to think on that for a couple of days.I found a slide out tray that will hold up to 1000 lbs. More than enough for the Trailblazer. I'm a little worried about viberation. Could fab up some adjustable legs.A couple of other thoughts I would like your opinions on. I was thinking about removing the back seat and building a flat platform. I would keep the High Freq unit, 12VS Suitcase and plasma cutter locked up in the cab. Thoughts...A little about the truck. It's a 1999 3500 4X4 with the 6.5 turbo diesel and automatic trans. The sweet thing is it only has 50,450 miles on it. It runs great, my favorite mechanic checked it out and the only thing wrong is a wiring problem. It was an Air Force truck. When they removed the radio and other electronic add-ons, they just cut wires and taped them all together. It took me most of this afternoon to trace all the wires and terminate properly. All is good now. Oh yeah, I got the truck for $7000.Any other suggestions for the set-up. I am basically a millwright, so, I will be carrying hand tools as well as welding, fabricating and line boring equipment.Thanks, for all your help!
Reply:I like the cap, I would cut a hole in the floor, run a pipe and call it a day.Disclaimer; "I am just an a$$hole welder, don't take it personally ."
Reply:If you loose the canopy, you loose the convenience of those lights. So, if you don't do any work in the dark then go for it......otherwise.I've working in telecom for years and having the canopy is a god send.Sign on East Texas payphone: Calls to God 40 cents......it's a local call...
Reply:Hi Ya machavis did you get that rig down at the DMRS at  Norfolk VA. I got one from there that looks like the twin  to that. You may want to keep that cap/cover on the back of the truck. Its great for keeping thiefing eyes and hands off your stuff plus keep everything weather proof. Plus those lights will be handy for nightime jobs.Hey trackapac what is that some kind of transformer kids toy truck. That back part behind the four door looks like it snaps on and off.Co-Own CNC shop:Miller :1251 plasma cutter, MaxStar 700 TIG/Stick, & XMT 456 Multiprocess Welder.&  2 Hypertherm HPR260's Plasma CutterSorry I had a bad stroke but now I am back.
Reply:i would keep the canopy also250DXMM251MM175225G plus 251D-1
Reply:Originally Posted by MondoNice find!  I like it!  That is a real nice looking rig!I agree with Farmersamm about changing to external exhaust... the truck needs a pair of chrome stacks with heat shields at the rear corners of the cab!  Don't forget to include rain caps that clap and jingle when idling!
Reply:deleted.
Reply:deleted again!  Mike was logged in on my laptop - twice.MikeConstans Fides et IntegritasLincoln Weldanpower 150 ACAirco Aircomatic MIGet CAV II w/ spoolgunMillermatic 30a wirefeeder
Reply:Originally Posted by ed macok ill ask what did you get for its a nice truckim looking at a GMC with a crane there asking $72,988.00
Reply:Well, it's been acouple of weeks since I have worked on the truck. I have finished up all my projects and have a couple of days off. Decided to get everything off my trailer and onto the new truck.The bad news. I decided to lose the canopy. Not an easy decision. I considered all of your advise. I did not cut it up though. Carefully removed it and placed behind the shop, just in case.Here are a few pics of the truck without the cap and my current set-up. Attached Images
Reply:Today, I managed to get the welder and compressor onto the truck this morning. I needed to make a few shelves in the compartments. I had some used 1/8" plate that came off an old trailer that did not survive the last hurricane. Rusty, I know, but, it's only 35 degs. out today. When it warms up a little, I'll remove them and paint. Yeah, right!     Still need to make one more shelf for the long compartment on the passenger side and fab up a tailgate. Mount the hose reel and rewire the starter for the compressor. If the rain hold for a few more days, I'll be rolling in no time. Attached Images
Reply:I think you're going to love that truck.  With the sideboxes you can keep your leads off the machine at night.  Really niceI notice you guys get that green sh## on the North side of the house like we do around here."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Looks great. I have used a welding trailer forever. Have thought about working out of a truck but that is another MOTOR TRANNY BRAKES INSURANCE AC HEATER STERO WIPERS HEADLIGHTS etc etc etc. Maybe one day. Good luck with it. Tell me you are going to keep Big Blue under a cover.Annamel TW9Y Georgia
Reply:Looks like you have made alot of progress where are you planning on mounting your tanks? Do you plan on adding your weatherguard boxes from the trailer on top of the bed sides?250DXMM251MM175225G plus 251D-1