Ongoing progress is being made. First thing done was to cut the sheet to length. Then ripped the piece in half. The bed is 50 inches wide. Sheet of plywood is 48 inches wide less kerf of the ripped cut. Decided to sister on a 3/4 inch piece on the outboard sides. This will be hidden by the bed angles. sorry for the sideways pics. Pony clamps, tight bond glue and 18 gauge nail gun was used. Care was taken not to shoot nails into location were the bed bolts go thru the bed cross braces. Next careful measurements were made for the bolt heads on the cross braces. Using a 1 inch Forstner bit I drilled pockets for the bolt heads. Aftermarket stuff.... rrrrggghhh 3 inch lowering springs create a problem with the frame . Used a router to create a pocket for the frame arch. Pic shows bottom side with pockets. 1 coat of sealing primer then two coats of oil based enamel. Also had to use a router to create a cut out for the front. Depending on how many bed runners you are going to use... Mark and drill the holes for the cross braces.
Well the bed is done. . 4 coats of West Systems epoxy. I ended up with a 5/8 to 1/2 inch gap in the center. here are some pis
Sorry for the delay I ended up with about a 1/2 inch gap in t he center. Biggest problem was over the relocated gas tank. could not get at the nuts. Ended up using stainless Molly's. 4 coats of West Systems epoxy. Here some pics
Looks great, but will it pass the Chevy vs. aluminum Ford "drop a heavy tool box corner down in the bed" test?
I had plywood in mine till about a week ago. I never did a good job like you did so my plywood caused other issues. I switched to a pine bed and did all the wood myself. Best $62 i have ever spent. I like the wet look of the plywood. IMG_7322 by wolffcub posted Sep 26, 2017 at 2:33 PM IMG_7316 by wolffcub posted Sep 26, 2017 at 2:33 PM
