wow awesome, I'm going to steel the decking idea to replace the wood on my flat bed.
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Stomis' Return of the Truck Build
- Thread starter Stomis
- Start date
NEK5
3/4 ton status
that looks awesome dude! Great work!
Stomis
Professional Amateur
The bed is decked with 5/4s x 6in composite decking. I believe the brand I got is choicedek or something of that nature. I have to say though the stuff needs to be braced more frequently than regular wood. I'd say thats its only downfall. The span between the two frame rails is just a few inches too long and has some VERY VERY minor bounce to it. Not enough to see but enough to feel if you hop on it.
Other than that the stuff is great. If anyone uses the idea I would recommend a center support between the frame rails. From the framerails out to your typical bed width is fine which is why I say the middle is only missing by a few inches.
PS the stuff isnt cheap. My bed is very short at like 65in or there abouts and it took me 11 boards to deck it. Thats 6 , 16 footers at $35 bucks a pop.
GMC1977
1/2 ton status
I work at ACE hardware here in texas and we carry a brand of bit called Norseman Industrial. Theyre american made and are made from cobalt for hard metal. I have a whole set of them and they work great. never had one snap and ive done multiple holes in 1/4 plate with them.
katugly
1/2 ton status
That decking idea is sweet and it wont rot ...
Stomis
Professional Amateur
Yeah, Irwin makes great and really fast bits but their no walk new tip design is what I believe has jeopardized their strength. Idk maybe they arent as good as quality as their cutting potential leads you to believe because now I a think about it I snapped a 5/8ths right in half with my 7amp black and decker drill....
Thank you for all the kind words guys!
75GmcJimmy4x4
1/2 ton status
looks good .. should last a long time .... from weather anyway
Stomis
Professional Amateur
Alright, didnt get much done since I worked in the morning. Got my tool boxes squared up and mounted. Man I cant believe how narrow my bed used to be.
dfl701
1/2 ton status
Dude that's gonna look sweet when you get some tube running on top
Stomis
Professional Amateur
yeah I was thinking it looks way odd without it. Gotta get the spare on too. New hi-lift will be here tomorrow...
Fabrimacator21
1/2 ton status
Man... that looks good.
A tube tailgate would be cool.
A tube tailgate would be cool.
Stomis
Professional Amateur
I'm trying to figure if it would work or not. I had thought of it but honestly the boxes wound up taking up more room then I thought they would.
Fabrimacator21
1/2 ton status
I think a tailgate off the boxes would be the shiznat.... maybe make a couple 90 bends to get it to extend to the end of the bed.
It'll defenitly give you more storage.... not that you don't already have enough.
It'll defenitly give you more storage.... not that you don't already have enough.
katugly
1/2 ton status
Man thats turning out to look real nice keep it up.
Stomis
Professional Amateur
I think a tailgate off the boxes would be the shiznat.... maybe make a couple 90 bends to get it to extend to the end of the bed.
It'll defenitly give you more storage.... not that you don't already have enough.
Lol I dont have enough.
The side boxes are full between my tools, straps, and winch stuff and the top box is half full of fluids, shafts, shovel, axe....
dfl701
1/2 ton status
this is only a suggestion but if your going to be putting tube across the top, a roof rack would be sweet.you could store your axe, shovel, and some other stuff up there and could also put some extra lights up there.
all that stuff could be mounted along the roll bar too, and negate the need for a roof rack, keeping the COG low.
Stomis
Professional Amateur
Yeah I was thinking about a roof rack since, knowing me the tubed bed, bumper, and boatsiding will probably turn into an exo cage...
What kinda ideas do you guys have for a tail gate? I was thinking about something that mounts the spare on an angle. I'd need it to not interfere with the cage hoops, or the filler neck. I'm starting to see some ideas in my head but would like some input.
Btw I'm taking the day to sort out my wiring. You guys are gonna love this. Its super clean, easily accessible, and making me really happy cause there isnt a birds nest over my steering column any more.
Pictures to come just taking a little break since something didnt agree with me (probably last nights pork chops plus a large coffee this morning) and I think I'm coming down with dysentery
Here is a tip: avoid rare pork chops. 
