building more LPB beds... come watch

[Awl_TEQ]

Doing the videos is kinda fun actually. I get to be my own camera man and also director. Sometimes I'll be bending a part and be thinking how I could shoot it from different angles and cut between them in editing to make it more professional looking. Only trouble is I am shooting it all with my iphone and I have no tripod. So I'm always looking for something to set it on. I have lots of clips of the camera falling over

 

[DanS HJ-45]

Doing the videos is kinda fun actually. I get to be my own camera man and also director. Sometimes I'll be bending a part and be thinking how I could shoot it from different angles and cut between them in editing to make it more professional looking. Only trouble is I am shooting it all with my iphone and I have no tripod. So I'm always looking for something to set it on. I have lots of clips of the camera falling over

Funny how that works, eh?

Might I suggest looking for a GoPro camera? These are the tiny video cameras that you see attached to a lot of helmets and stuff nowadays. I recently got one (the video I made from it is currently uploading--29 minutes left it says) and I LOVE it.

Not only is it kind of fun to make little videos of going wheeling, but I'm finding it REALLY, SERIOUSLY helpful with mechanical troubleshooting of odd clunks and stuff under the truck. I can attach it to the underside of the truck, and get a GREAT view of the suspension flexing which has answered some questions that I've been trying to track down for years (because I'm too cheap to start replacing bushings willy nilly, and they weren't worn enough to feel the play).

Definitely one of the best $200 I've spent lately. I assume you've seen lshobie's videos lately? I may start doing that sort of thing for a lot of stuff that I get into, because it's just not hard now that I'm not stuck holding the phone camera.

Question: think at some point in the future you could put the indentations for the tail lights into a channel of aluminum? I'm thinking a year in the future right now, because those look so good I think I might have to incorporate something like that into my 45 plans...

Dan

 

[Awl_TEQ]

You're the second guy to recommend those cameras. I've seen them on display in the stores. May have to look into it.

So you're thinking a rear valence in aluminum? Is the rest of the bed going to be aluminum? Are you doing an Aqualu (not my personal preference regardless of the fact I can make steel stuff)

 

[DanS HJ-45]

So you're thinking a rear valence in aluminum? Is the rest of the bed going to be aluminum? Are you doing an Aqualu (not my personal preference regardless of the fact I can make steel stuff)

I'm thinking of fabricating an aluminum trayback for my 45. But I want to set the factory taillights into the valance for a more finished/factory look. I'm an efficiency nerd, otherwise I'd stick with steel for that part of the project too. So really I'm thinking of a roughly 6 foot wide heavy Aluminum Channel with the lights set back into it just like those steel valances you've got made up.

This project is a ways off (I should get the truck running first, or at least close to it) but I really, really prefer a trayback for my 45 just because there's a lot of stuff that needs to be loaded and unloaded with a forklift (or at least, will save me a lot of work if it is).

Dan

 

[Awl_TEQ]

Trays are great in aluminum. I'm just not a fan of aluminum tubs, although Aqualu does great work by all accounts.

I'd be happy to fab one up for you when the time comes. If we're talking a year or more from now I may be able to help with the other pieces and then potentially deliver it if we were to attend the same event some where.... just thinking out loud.

 

[DanS HJ-45]

I'd be happy to fab one up for you when the time comes. If we're talking a year or more from now I may be able to help with the other pieces and then potentially deliver it if we were to attend the same event some where.... just thinking out loud.

I like the way you're thinking. A lot.

Dan

 

[Awl_TEQ]

your 76HJ frame should be the same as my 78FJ no? If so I have all the mount points aced. I would think some 4" Al channel for cross members, 3/16" thick tread plate for the deck and some sides and back fabbed from formed flat sheet with a few bends for stiffness. Removable sides/back and a front wall with integrated headache rack. Some sort of fenders and maybe a cargo box or two under the deck.

Piece of cake!

 

[DanS HJ-45]

your 76HJ frame should be the same as my 78FJ no? If so I have all the mount points aced. I would think some 4" Al channel for cross members, 3/16" thick tread plate for the deck and some sides and back fabbed from formed flat sheet with a few bends for stiffness. Removable sides/back and a front wall with integrated headache rack. Some sort of fenders and maybe a cargo box or two under the deck.

Piece of cake!

It's like you're inside my mind! One cargo box though, on the left side. The right side gets an auxiliary fuel tank (because I *need* to carry 50 gallons of diesel, right?) I didn't even think about the frame mounts being something that could be worked out ahead of time.....

Dan

 

[Awl_TEQ]

How about a fuel tank that hangs down from the deck between the cab and rear axle. Deeper on the left side where there is no prop shaft. Accessible through a removable panel in the deck for service but filled from the side using the channel space for the hose.

Have you got sliders on this imaginary rig? If not, a tank on the outside of the frame will be a target for rocks as well as off center weight load. Between the frame rails you could have protection from the frame rails, springs and perhaps a skid plate.

Sonke? Soneke? what's his MUD handle? anyway, he had a real cool center tank on his 45 on an 80 chassis with a camper - tan colored rig.

 

[Awl_TEQ]

I've got video to process but here are some stills

Bent all of the corner floor sections

front later model with the access opening

rear corner sections

front corner early style with no access

 

[Awl_TEQ]

I set up a welding station in the garage by stuffing the 45 in the corner and loading it up with all the parts I have brought home so far. Now I can weld during the week in the evenings at home cuz there isn't enough time to get anything meaningful done at work after hours.

moved my table into the open so the larger pieces have room

Started with the front corner posts - closed up the seam - not cleaned up yet in this shot.

All the parts in the 45 really weigh it down. Not on the bump stops yet but she's heavy.

 

[Awl_TEQ]

More



even stuffed some underneath

 

[Awl_TEQ]

Still have video to edit together.

Put in three days this weekend - one at home welding and two at work bending.

Here are a few pics

Welded rear valences

Welded bed rail ends

Formed wheel arches - 744 bends took me 4 hours!

 

[Awl_TEQ]

Wheel humps



Need a bigger truck - maybe I should build one

 

[Awl_TEQ]

Very few stills today - mostly video, which I will try and post some of tomorrow. But here are the results today...

 

[Awl_TEQ]

Dan - which iMovie do you have? '08,'09,'11 ?

Apparently '08 does not have a slow/fast motion tool at all. Lots of people online asking for help but the only answer is to change the speed in another software, export it, import to '08 already at the speed you want and add it to your project. I might have to get '11 which apparently does have that tool. $50 for the full iLife suite.

 

[DanS HJ-45]

Dan - which iMovie do you have? '08,'09,'11 ?

Apparently '08 does not have a slow/fast motion tool at all. Lots of people online asking for help but the only answer is to change the speed in another software, export it, import to '08 already at the speed you want and add it to your project. I might have to get '11 which apparently does have that tool. $50 for the full iLife suite.

My computer (which had the software on it) was purchased in early 2007. Mine says iMovie HD 6.0.3.

It would be MUCH easier to do the speeding up/slowing down in the same software. Do it without any transition at all, and it'll change speeds seamlessly.

Those bed parts look great!

Dan

 

[waiting for time]

Realy nice work.
How are you going to finish those wheel arches?

 

[Awl_TEQ]

Here is a video - I have lots more footage but not enough time

I'll get to it though...

​

 

[a.greenspan]

...

... Sir Kevin Awl_TEQ
for best Landcruiser 45 reproduction parts
best reproduction videos and so on
Cheers
Peter