Bed Bobbing

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Date: Tue, 19 May 1998 14:43:50 -0700
From: "Jay Kopycinski" 
Subject: Bobbing a bed.....anybody have some ideas?

Anybody bobbed a bed or seen it done and have some good
ideas on how to go about doing it?

What would be the best way to slice it up?

How about putting it back together......butt the panels and weld it
and weld it with what?.........or flange one end of the panels, overlap 
it and braze it, mig it, tig it, liquid nails it?

Looking for ideas and experiences........let me know. Thanks.

Jay Kopycinski    '85 Toylet  (ROKTOY)

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Toyota 4x4 page: http://www.off-road.com/4x4web/toyota

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Date: Tue, 19 May 1998 15:06:25 -0700
From: "Brandon Miller" 
Subject: Re: Bobbing a bed.....anybody have some ideas?

Yea, I did.
Suggestions:

- -Spend 75% of the time making sure your lines to cut are straight AND
parallel.
- -Do NOT use a sawzall (try it and you will see how straight it cuts)
- -Use a jigsaw with a long guide in front, cuts nice and straight.
Cut it once, then tack it up.  Let it overlap if it ends up that way, as
long as the back part is in line with the bed.  Then cut it again so the
seam between the parts is perfect.  You might have to get some extremely
light gauge wire for the welder cause it is like welding a beer can, very
thin!
- -Just tack the sides, inside then outside, every couple inches cause the
heat will waro the sides otherwise, and go ahead and weld the bed all the
way if you can.  I tacked the sides, THEN did the necessary bodywork that
was needed after my truck decided to hit a tree on the Rubicon, so the tack
welds hold pretty good!
- -The bodywork is the worst part, mine still looks kinda rough.
- -Make sure both sides of the bed (measure the rails) are EXACTLY the same
before welding.

If you have any specefics feel free to ask.  I did it without any help and I
have never seen one done before and I am happy with the results.  I'd be
happy to provide pics if you'd like of the steps, actually I will make a
nice page after finals are over this week...






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Brandon Miller        ICQ# 8392888
Sacramento CA
email - miller@csus.edu
home page - http://gaia.ecs.csus.edu/~millerb
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Date: Tue, 19 May 1998 19:07:42 -7 GMT
From: "Leo G. Divinagracia III" 
Subject: Re: Bobbing a bed.....anybody have some ideas?

> From: "Jay Kopycinski" 
> 
> Anybody bobbed a bed or seen it done and have some good
> ideas on how to go about doing it?
> 
> What would be the best way to slice it up?

a plasma cutter does wonders...

> 
> How about putting it back together......butt the panels and weld it
> and weld it with what?.........or flange one end of the panels, overlap 
> it and braze it, mig it, tig it, liquid nails it?

probably the flange will be the best.  unless of course you're planning on 
putting a lot of weight or stress.  then a good 16 gauge flat piece underneath 
welded (and maybe riveted).  gussets if you have room...

> 
> Looking for ideas and experiences........let me know. Thanks.
> 

recently, i'm finishing my front mounted hitch to support the quick mount 
winch so i talked to my welder to brace the hell out of it making sure that 
if something breaks, it's the 4 bolts that hold the winch on the mounting 
plate.  he gusseted on parts he though he'd normally wouldn't.  i asked for 
extra welds also.  you can never too safe or too sorry.  sure, the mounting 
plate for the winch weighs a ton, but at least when i'm stuck axle deep in 
goo again, that's the last of my worries...


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Leo G. Divinagracia III           
ldivinag@csuhayward.edu

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Toyota 4x4 page: http://www.off-road.com/4x4web/toyota

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