Sparetire well removal w/pics.

[desertrat67]

I decided to get rid of the spare tire well because It looked like it would be an eyesore when I trimmed my fenders. I originally was going to use the original well to fill the hole. I was going to hammer it flat and bend it to match the original bolt holes and cut off the upper flat portion to hold it down.

I then confered with a friend who convinced me that it would be easier to form the replacement panel with a piece of sheet metal. I went to Lowes and found a 24"X36" piece of 22ga sheet that would do the job. I would have preferred 16 or 18 ga, but the only places that had it were steel shops and they wanted 63-70 bucks for a 4'X8' sheet. The piece from Lowes was $25. I will add some L channel later for support.

I made a cardboard template using the old well and the openning in the floor.

I sued a jigsaw and grinder to cut the sheet. I then used my 2.5 lb sledge to hammer a 2"section over 90*

Don't do what I did and hammer it 90* in the wrong direction. Also measure twice. I was supposed to make a 2" bend. It ended up being 2.5"(after I fixed the bend in the wrong direction).

I had to test fit and retrim several times to make it fit right.

I still have to put nuts on the back of the bolts that went through these whole. They are just self tapped at the moment using the original bolts.

I used a seam sealer to maintain water tightness and fill in the gaps where I over trimmed.

So, $34 and a couple hours of work (could have been one if not for my mess ups) got me a completely flat floor. Not the greatest job, but I am satisfied.

Next tasks, fender trim, new axle shafts for the D60 (broke all 4 last year) and new oil pan, valve cover, and water pump gaskets.

 

[twoslo4five0]

nice job man looks great!!always good seeing some doing something out of the box on theese trucks

 

[desertrat67]

Thanks man. I am just glad it turned out somewhat nice. I am not what you would call a good metal worker.

 

[mnstrburbon]

nice wark and helped me figure mine out before i start cutting are you going to cut the rear quarters flat now with the tail gate if so post up some pics .. thanks

 

[Randy92782]

Looks good man. I was thinkin of cutting out an old piece of bed from a truck to weld in a place in a friends truck to match the ribbed look

 

[desertrat67]

mnstburb:

I am not sure how I am going to cut the rear quarters yet. I was thinking of going at an angle upward toward the bumper or even with the bottom of the bumper.

 

[desertrat67]

Randy, I was thinking of doing that as well, but I don't have any old beds laying around and didn't think it would be cost/time efective to try to get the metal from a junk yard.