Interior Project back on track

[sdjohn99]

Started the next phase of my build this weekend. Stripping out all the carpet and seats to get it over to be Rhino Lined. After I got the driver's seat out I found the source of my sagging seat. I thought the seat was bad but it turns out the floor had cracked. Guess I'll be spending some time with a mig welder this week. My plan is to weld the pieces into place and then reinforce the area around all four attachment points with two 3" wide strips of steel that run parallel (i.e. one strip for the two back holes one strip for the front two holes. After I get that done it's off to Rhino Lining. Then over to Wet Okole for some waterproof seatcovers. I'm thinking of building storage into the side panels using Starboard material. Any suggestions? Here are some before and after of the demo. I'll post pics of the anchor point fix and end product later.

 

[rgilmartin]

Looks Good Dude, Can't wait to see what you do with the side panels! It looks like a great place to make hangers for a high lift, shovel, axe, ...

 

[British Slave]

I had the same problem with the cracked floor. I formed and welded 12 gauge steel plate over all the seat bolt holes. I bored holes in the plate and used the original captured nuts to bolt the seats down. I then undercoated the underside and primed and painted the top side.

 

[sdjohn99]

Other to dos before rhino lining.

Any suggestions on things to do while I have everything out of the truck prior to rhino lining it?

 

[bt73]

Just make sure it clean as can be so the rhino has a good foundation to stick to. Looks good. I'll be there soon. Good luck.

 

[sdjohn99]

Progress

Welded in the reinforcing brackets for the front seat today-even used some child labor (see picture). Next week it gets Line X from the firewall to the tailgate.

 

[tRustyK5]

i see 'Vegas as the location...but even so you should teach you son to wear the proper PPE for welding. Between the spatter, and potential to ignite clothing or burn skin there is also the extreme UV that needs to be acknowledged. 15 minutes exposure to welding UV will cause sunburn worse than what you get out in the sun for hours. It just ain't healthy.

Jeans, shoes, and long sleeves minimum...gloves for sure. Weld in the evening if you have to.

Welding and fabricating was my trade for over 20 years, I've had my share of artificial sun burns, spatter burns, clothing fires etc. None of it is fun or necessary.

Rene

 

[sdjohn99]

Thanks for the concern. He "welded" for about 15 seconds.

 

[K85 Octane]

make sure the rhino liner goes up the sidewalls of the bed too. Help keep it quieter. Personally I'm going to build some plywood side panels with enclosed speaker boxes (so the speakers are in a box, not just in the side) and have those sealed up nice with LineX too. Ripping interiors apart is fun and you feel like you get a lot accomplished. That is until you have to get the glue off the wells and front floor. ugg

 

[sdjohn99]

Check out a material called starboard at westmarine. It is used on boats and is really easy to work with for your side panels. I am going line all the way up the sides of te bed as you suggest. I'm thinking of building the side panels out flush with the wheel wells for some extra storage.

 

[sdjohn99]

progress

Got the driver's side welded up and the rest of the interior cleaned out. Found the passenger side seat had the same issue just not as severe. Just need to weld the passenger side this weekend then it really is off to Line X.

 

[ryoken]

starboard at westmarine.

one of the banes of my existence as a marine guy.... for others who are unfamiliar with it, think cutting board material.. people got soooooo ghey over that stuff when it came out... used very sparingly, it's an excellent product for certain things.. but guys went nuts with it, building tackle lockers, etc with it, looks cheesy when used too much...

it is a very durable product but in case you didn't know, it HAS to be mechanically fastened... it CANNOT be glued...

all that being said, the black would probably make a decent single sidewall for our beds... it's certainly waterproof...

 

[sdjohn99]

I hear you on over doing it with Starboard. Especially since it isn't really structural. I'm going to use a single sheet on each side attached to the original brackets and add one flip out hatch on each side. I'm back living in San Diego now and I'll have surfboards and wetsuits in the back so my plan is to make the truck as impervious to salt water as I can.

 

[sdjohn99]

Something like this for the rear hatches.

 

[shovelbill80]

cool thread man. you got any specs on that door, is it too deep?

 

[sdjohn99]

Outside Dimensions: 16"W x 18"H x 4.5"D

Cutout Size: 14" W x16" H

Bin Interior Dimensions: 10.5"W x 11.75"H x 4"D

 

[sdjohn99]

Dropped the truck off at Line X this afternoon (10/4). Should be ready for pickup tomorrow afternoon. I'll post pics asap.

 

[Terminal4]

Interior is where things get fun and creative.Looks like your doing just that. Never saw the starboard material approach. Eager to see what you do with it exactly and how it'll turn out. Welding in shorts and flops is def a So Cal thing! Love it! Keep us posted...

 

[sdjohn99]

Truck is in the spray booth

Here are some pics of the truck after the final prep and right before spraying

 

[sdjohn99]

Before/After Line X Pictures

It was dark when the truck was finished so I had to get some quick pictures this morning before work. I'll get some better detail shots later. I'm really happy with how it turned out. Next steps - seat waterproof seatcovers from Wet Okole and new interior trim (dash pad, etc.)