- Thread starter
- #381
building more LPB beds... come watch
- Thread starter Awl_TEQ
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- Thread starter
- #382
- Thread starter
- #383
And now I have a matched set in my oriface 
I have been pondering just how to make the stiffener for the back. It is a round profile that must sit flush both on the raised section of the skin and on the top and bottom rail. Plus the ends of it must be closed and it also sits flush on the main skin panel. The best way to make it would be with a one hit tool so I'll have to bodge together something.
I have been pondering just how to make the stiffener for the back. It is a round profile that must sit flush both on the raised section of the skin and on the top and bottom rail. Plus the ends of it must be closed and it also sits flush on the main skin panel. The best way to make it would be with a one hit tool so I'll have to bodge together something.
The stiffeners are actually kind of weird looking- they really don't match the rest of the truck- not that anyone pays much attention to them. I bet you can improve on the OEM design!
Didn't the later ones have one more than the early tailgates?
Didn't the later ones have one more than the early tailgates?
- Joined
- Apr 21, 2005
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I think these stiffeners serve a second purpose. Which is why they are made that way. Unlike the sides this lays flat and is designed to have things loaded on it. Because this is a single wall stamped into uneven shapes this give a area to slide things in to th bed. Closed end so things don't catch and rounded because thing will slide easier then a flat surface. Not sure if many of these trucks will ever see much heavy work duty again but not sure how you would improved the design.
Just my .02
15 years ago during my resto, my tailgate was rusted at both round stiffeners due to them being closed at the bottom allowing water to get in the tubes and rust from the inside out. The solution was to leave them open ended and thus prevent rust. We used tubing cut in half,I can get some pics of it later. Its been 15 years and no rust!!
- Thread starter
- #387
15 years is pretty compelling. But I still wanna make it as original as I can. Looking closely at the part, my 78 has a small opening at the bottom (when closed) so I'll try and replicate that too. The drilled hole was a PO mod... there was a full plywood bed liner installed when I bought it.
My early 65 gate was closed so maybe they opened them up on late model gates? btw these things are works of art!!
Just the fact that the beds were single wall shows that the designers were not too caught up in aesthetics.. The rounded shape would make sense for sliding goods off.. Most of the dents I've seen are from the inside out on the old beds.. Plywood sides might make sense aside from trapping moisture and rust.
- Thread starter
- #390
Got the tool designed in Solidworks. It's made from layers of different gauges of steel cut out on the laser and laminated together using pins and tack welds. I have the round bar ready, just gotta wait for the lasered parts to clear the laser.
- Thread starter
- #391
Too funny.... I accidentally posted all of this update from my iphone in my BJ42 thread 
... So I will repost here and hope the mods don't mind
Hot off the press
I am gonna weld two onto the gate here and see what it looks like
... So I will repost here and hope the mods don't mindHot off the press
I am gonna weld two onto the gate here and see what it looks like
- Thread starter
- #392
Ok, these will work.
- Thread starter
- #393
more pics
- Thread starter
- #394
few more
Mine will have an opening in the bottom end to let water out.
Mine will have an opening in the bottom end to let water out.
- Thread starter
- #395
Epic..
4 hinge
These look amazing. Could I have a 4 hinge please?
I did send a needy PM asking for a full bed but if that's not an option, maybe there's a possibility of some wheel wells? I think I can repair just about everything else except the floor which I might be able to get made locally (maybe).
Cheers....
These look amazing. Could I have a 4 hinge please?
I did send a needy PM asking for a full bed but if that's not an option, maybe there's a possibility of some wheel wells? I think I can repair just about everything else except the floor which I might be able to get made locally (maybe).
Cheers....
This just keeps getting better and better. Nice work. I can't wait for mine.
- Thread starter
- #400
Andrew, I'll reserve one for you and we can figure out the shipping requirements before you commit. Shipping to the land downunder can be prohibitively expensive. I will have to check on the wheel humps. I did make extra but they may have all been reserved for buyers already.
Kevin
Kevin