Extremely nice work !! It almost makes me want to run outside and beat the **** outta my 45 's bed with a sledge hammer so i can have you build me a new bed! 
........ almost...
........ almost...
I can make LPB box sides
- Thread starter Awl_TEQ
- Start date
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Awl_TEQ
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- Thread starter
- #265
Started making tailgate parts today.
After the tabs are ground off and a bend and offset are formed in these will be the eye that the tailgate chain hook "hooks" into. They are attached to the upper inside of the gate near the corners.
These are the other end of the chain. These get a 40 deg bend in the middle - the obround end gets a chain link and the round end goes on the shoulder bolt at the top of the rear corner posts
Still need the ends smoothed on the 1" belt sander
After the tabs are ground off and a bend and offset are formed in these will be the eye that the tailgate chain hook "hooks" into. They are attached to the upper inside of the gate near the corners.
These are the other end of the chain. These get a 40 deg bend in the middle - the obround end gets a chain link and the round end goes on the shoulder bolt at the top of the rear corner posts
Still need the ends smoothed on the 1" belt sander
tahoe40/45
SILVER Star
That looks awesome,nice work.
Awl_TEQ
Supporting Vendor
- Thread starter
- #267
Not sure how well you can see these cell phone pics. I have a tool for the turret punch that lets me scribe lines and arcs (or any shape really) into the metal. Kinda like if you took an awl and marked the surface - only CNC controlled. I decided since I can't emboss the letters like the original gate skins had I could at least scribe the TOYOTA onto the skin. My thought here is the painter could use it to mask and paint the letters. Or just sand and fill with a high solids primer. I measured and copied the letters off my 78 gate and put them right where they should be. Just a note - I can write whatever you want on the skins - CHEVOTA - TOYODA - TEQ - DO NOT PUSH - FOR A GOOD TIME CALL 555-1212 
Awl_TEQ
Supporting Vendor
- Thread starter
- #268
Here is a stack of top rails and bottom hat channels for the tailgates
Had trouble with the punch and didn't get around to bending any of it today. Tomorrow is a "Family day", though I might get the bed out on the driveway for some good promotional shots after I smooth out the welds a bit.
Had trouble with the punch and didn't get around to bending any of it today. Tomorrow is a "Family day", though I might get the bed out on the driveway for some good promotional shots after I smooth out the welds a bit.
Not sure how well you can see these cell phone pics. I have a tool for the turret punch that lets me scribe lines and arcs (or any shape really) into the metal. Kinda like if you took an awl and marked the surface - only CNC controlled. I decided since I can't emboss the letters like the original gate skins had I could at least scribe the TOYOTA onto the skin. My thought here is the painter could use it to mask and paint the letters. Or just sand and fill with a high solids primer. I measured and copied the letters off my 78 gate and put them right where they should be. Just a note - I can write whatever you want on the skins - CHEVOTA - TOYODA - TEQ - DO NOT PUSH - FOR A GOOD TIME CALL 555-1212
Excellent idea Kevin - A painter will be able to do wonders with that template!
Thank you for going the extra mile on this!!!
Amazing... keep it up..
Awl_TEQ
Supporting Vendor
- Thread starter
- #271
New thread coming
This thread/ build has been a blast to make. I started off with the idea of just mentioning that I could make replacement side panels for 45 beds and ended up making a complete bed. When I started I wasn't sure I could do the floors and the wheel hump was nearly out of the question.
I am going to have to start a new thread with all the parts and pricing listed so that its easier for someone to scroll through and find what they need without looking at 266+ posts. Where should I post it? The 45 classified or Merchandise Storefront in the Vendors Market? Personally I like the 45 classified - I'm not sure I am ready for all of the custom one off requests I might get if I put it out where everyone goes. Don't get me wrong, I'll make anything I can for anyone time permitting. But the 45 section likely isn't regularly looked at by most of the 60/70/80/100/200 guys. I know I don't go to the 60/100/200 much. I do hit the 70 section - they are growing on me
.
I hope I don't come across as an ass but I am just trying to stay focused on the 40 series. Frankly the other series are too complex in shape for me to do much on anyway. Maybe a custom bed for a 79 but the 80's and up are all compound curves etc.
Thoughts?
Kevin
This thread/ build has been a blast to make. I started off with the idea of just mentioning that I could make replacement side panels for 45 beds and ended up making a complete bed. When I started I wasn't sure I could do the floors and the wheel hump was nearly out of the question.
I am going to have to start a new thread with all the parts and pricing listed so that its easier for someone to scroll through and find what they need without looking at 266+ posts. Where should I post it? The 45 classified or Merchandise Storefront in the Vendors Market? Personally I like the 45 classified - I'm not sure I am ready for all of the custom one off requests I might get if I put it out where everyone goes. Don't get me wrong, I'll make anything I can for anyone time permitting. But the 45 section likely isn't regularly looked at by most of the 60/70/80/100/200 guys. I know I don't go to the 60/100/200 much. I do hit the 70 section - they are growing on me
.I hope I don't come across as an ass but I am just trying to stay focused on the 40 series. Frankly the other series are too complex in shape for me to do much on anyway. Maybe a custom bed for a 79 but the 80's and up are all compound curves etc.
Thoughts?
Kevin
Simply amazing... keep up the great work!
Not sure what to do about advertising/marketing. You may need to buy a vendor star to post in the Vendor Marketplace, but I am guessing.
Cheers, Carlos.
Not sure what to do about advertising/marketing. You may need to buy a vendor star to post in the Vendor Marketplace, but I am guessing.
Cheers, Carlos.
I think you are right on the money.. The 40 series remains an icon. I think you could possibly find a market for a rear steel tub that would accomodate a 43 or 45 troopy on a stretched 40 frame but it probably wouldn't pay out for all the work. However Cool Cruisers seems to have no problem selling their floors, tubs, parts and corners.
Awl_TEQ
Supporting Vendor
- Thread starter
- #275
The bottom channel of the tailgate frame - the four sets of two holes are for the captured nuts to which the hinges bolt - the string of 1/2" holes mimics the factory drain holes on the bottom of the channel (when the gate is closed
Tailgate frame left and right ends - not yet welded
The tailgate skin - with the scribed letters - not welded yet
Tailgate frame left and right ends - not yet welded
The tailgate skin - with the scribed letters - not welded yet
Awl_TEQ
Supporting Vendor
- Thread starter
- #276
Dry fitting the components - you can see I also formed the top rail of the gate, though I don't have a dedicated photo of them you can see them on the table. I bent the end flanges after these photos were taken.
My short list of remaining parts to make:
Tailgate chain hook - round bar bent into a hook
Tailgate chain - source the right size and purchase
Tailgate stiffeners - layout and fab
Tailgate hinge - layout and fab
Although on inspecting the gate latch I can reproduce it I can't do it for the $28 that CCOT sells it for - so you'll have to buy it elsewhere.
My short list of remaining parts to make:
Tailgate chain hook - round bar bent into a hook
Tailgate chain - source the right size and purchase
Tailgate stiffeners - layout and fab
Tailgate hinge - layout and fab
Although on inspecting the gate latch I can reproduce it I can't do it for the $28 that CCOT sells it for - so you'll have to buy it elsewhere.
If you are going to be making beds and tailgates for the 3 hinge older trucks, I would be more then happy to send you 3 hinges to use as templates. Let me know if you are interested.
Awl_TEQ
Supporting Vendor
- Thread starter
- #278
I will be doing the short bed and 3 hinge tailgate eventually - like winter 2010. (or sooner if someone ponies up for the first off). I might take you up on that offer. What I really need is a rusty old bed to copy (*cough*D'animal?*cough*).
I'm not planning on making the early style hinge at this point because there is already a supplier here on Mud
. I will be playing with the late model hinge over the next week but I haven't figured out how I'm gonna roll the 10 ga top part around the pin. I don't have a dedicated tool for that so I'll have to see what I can do with the tools I have on hand.
Awl_TEQ
Supporting Vendor
- Thread starter
- #280
Full price list posted
I just finished a marathon posting of a full price list in the Merchandise Storefront section of the classifieds. All parts and some sub assemblies are there with pictures and pricing (except a couple I have not yet made). Please take a look and let me know if you need anything.
Kevin
All pricing is now in the classified section at this URL - PRICING
I just finished a marathon posting of a full price list in the Merchandise Storefront section of the classifieds. All parts and some sub assemblies are there with pictures and pricing (except a couple I have not yet made). Please take a look and let me know if you need anything.
Kevin
All pricing is now in the classified section at this URL - PRICING
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