Builds AK HJ-75

[coldtaco]

Care package from down under. Who has attached a engine watchdog on their 12HT?

 

[coldtaco]

I think this will work on my first try

 

[coldtaco]

Open

 

[coldtaco]

Next time I say “I can do that” stop me. boy, figuring out all the angles of the dangles is a pain, too much for my brain.

The one piece is a practice piece, now to try and duplicate it

But that’s for tomorrow

 

[coldtaco]

Lower siding channels done.

 

[coldtaco]

Window opening

 

[coldtaco]

Tomorrow hopefully I can figure out one more item (4x) and then drop it off for paint

 

[coldtaco]

Back from paint. Now the assembly part

 

[coldtaco]

Front window and front panel on. Used Cherry Max brand pop rivets. A bit expensive but hopefully will stay put a lot longer than cheap ones. POR15 in each hole for the rivets. Used seam sealer to seal the panel.

 

[jblueridge]

Awesome work, as usual.

 

[coldtaco]

I didn’t pay close enough attention to make sure that the bottom half of the front piece was flat. When I went to put the assembly on the back of the truck the bottom half of the front piece was bowed out some, enough to scratch/touch the back of the cab on install. I had planned on using 4 rivnuts across the bottom part with some foam gasket to hold the bottom part solid. So the rivnuts helped to suck in the bowed out part, to hold it flat to the bed.

I like using notched rivnuts since this helps reduce chances of Spinning.

 

[coldtaco]

Back panel/door basically done. Have to find some new lift struts and secure the handle.

 

[coldtaco]

One of those two steps forward one step back moments. I didn’t like how think the weather stripping was that I used around the outside of the outside frame. So removed it and installed a different style that squishes better.

I used the one on the left first, then switched to the one on the right.

 

[Honger]

I'm enjoying this. Your DIY cover is turning out great. I like it when people DIY things I'd typically think would be quite hard...

 

[coldtaco]

I started this before I I found out about another company in SA already makes caps of different heights. I would have preferred buying a nice aluminum one. They make em for the 79 beds so don’t know if they still have what it takes to make em for the 75 beds.

 

[coldtaco]

20lbs lift struts installed. They are barely adequate but at least the door will not swing up too fast

 

[Buckow]

20lbs lift struts installed. They are barely adequate but at least the door will not swing up too fast

View attachment 2557571

Nice work! Are you planning a pass through pop top or anything?

 

[coldtaco]

Nice work! Are you planning a pass through pop top or anything?

Bingo

 

[coldtaco]

Part one is done. I used some of this type of seam sealer at all the joints. It runs like silicone so it squeezes out really good, no bulging of panels. Down side is it takes a long time to dry.

 

[coldtaco]

Last two pieces are the caps that run the full length on top.