Homemade Bed - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

glowins10 · 12-05-2009, 12:52 AM

Anyone make or know someone who has made a bedside? The only consern i have with making new bedsides is the rolled top.. Anyone have any ideas on how to roll sheetmetal? I was thinking about getting a 1 1/2in tube and welding it to the top of a piece of sheetmetal. The stake pockets are not going to be a big deal, Ive got a good set from my junk bedsides.

If anyone has a picture of a homemade bedside and would like to share I would appreciate it!

OrrieG · 12-05-2009, 01:34 AM

I remember two in the last year of so here, an advanced search should bring them up.

**mr48chev** · 12-05-2009, 01:58 AM

More years ago than I want to think about a friend in Texas built a bed by having a shop cut and bend up the sides so he had the angle and then he welded a length of 1-1/2" (I think) exhaust pipe to each lip to make the round part. He used a torch to weld it and it took a lot of effort to keep it from warping the metal. With a mig and going slow a guy should be able to do a pretty good job. You could cut the posts out of an old bed or make your own or buy new ones from one of the vendors that sells truck sheet metal.

cajundragger · 12-05-2009, 09:40 AM

I made mine. some pics...

bedside on...

internal tailgate hindge made out of a crush sleeve and a mercedes strut bushing...

63 & 64 Bowties · 12-05-2009, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cajundragger

I made mine.

Holy crap !! Nice

drivea55 · 12-05-2009, 06:14 PM

what a beautiful job man!

I also love the color

chevyrestoguy · 12-05-2009, 06:23 PM

You did an EXCELLENT job! Kudos to you!

Sub-versive · 12-05-2009, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 63 & 64 Bowties

Holy crap !! Nice

x a million!

cajundragger · 12-05-2009, 09:40 AM

back

front bulkhead

bedrail...

baremetal rear end with a fender mocked...

cajundragger · 12-05-2009, 09:41 AM

inside of tailgate...

rear roll pan

rear in primer

inside of bed

finished-

BlueJeep · 12-05-2009, 11:19 AM

Cajundragger,

Did you make your tailgate double-walled? Can't tell, but it looks like there is a hidden brace in the center.

glowins10 · 12-05-2009, 03:24 PM

Thanks for the great reply Cajundragger!!
What type of pipe did you use? exhaust pipe sounds like a good idea.. I am looking at getting 1-1/4in schedule 40 black pipe. It has the outside deminsions i am looking for I think. Any other advise for when i start building my own..
Thanks agian!

*BGRAFX* · 12-05-2009, 06:59 PM

Damn! That is one good looking truck!!!
What size spare tires and what truck were they originally from?

**mr48chev** · 12-05-2009, 08:55 PM

Nice work Cajundragger, That is exactly what I was talking about in my previous post.

cajundragger · 12-05-2009, 10:12 PM

thanks guys. It was a good bit of work, but it was fairly inexpensive, and made exactly to fit. Man I'd hate to have to chop up a brand new Mar-K bed.

to answer some questions...

yes the tailgate is double walled and has a jam on each side.

also I forgot to mention, the tailgate is stock height, but the whole bed is 2" taller than stock, but with a raised bedfloor its still deeper than stock. That is why I used internal tailgate hinges and such.

the tube is all 1/8wall pipe. I think 1.25 sch. 40, its whatever stock was just in pipe.

the spares are from a late model dodge 1500, they are 20's.

anymore questions I'll do my best to answer...

Thadious · 12-06-2009, 06:05 PM

I also made mine as well... went with mostly the stock look... same dimensions all the way around...

16 gauge cold rolled sheet... cut to length and right down the middle, bent up the sides on an 8' brake at the tech school I teach at then just welded a length of 1 5/8" x 16 ga wall thickness cold rolled tubing... mig the length, grind, smooth (fill any imperfections with weld or filler, your call), bend up a 3/4" length along the bottom edge, attach your stake pockets and voila.

Will try to get some pics up when I can about it... but it's not really difficult to do.

Cheers,
Ted.

Kid · 12-06-2009, 09:32 PM

nice fab work cajundragger. great looking truck!

CAL 58 GMC · 12-08-2009, 01:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kid

nice fab work cajundragger. great looking truck!

I agree, very nice job!

72hotrodder · 12-08-2009, 01:37 AM

cajun. think you could give the measurments of the bed side, height length and the width of the bed? ask'n alot but a bed did'nt come with my truck and there are noone around me to referance

cajundragger · 12-08-2009, 10:49 AM

yeah but it wont be till this weekend. I live an hour away from my truck.

bratten82 · 02-11-2010, 10:08 AM

hey cajun what gauge steel did you use for your bed sides.

cajundragger · 02-11-2010, 07:18 PM

the whole bed is 16 gauge 1x1 tube and sheet metal. Then the schedule 40 pipe.

I don't think I'd make it out of anything thinner unless you had a beadroller and could add some strength. I definitely wouldn't make it out of anything thicker though.

12-05-2009, 12:52 AM	#1
glowins10 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Newton, IL Posts: 38	Homemade Bed Anyone make or know someone who has made a bedside? The only consern i have with making new bedsides is the rolled top.. Anyone have any ideas on how to roll sheetmetal? I was thinking about getting a 1 1/2in tube and welding it to the top of a piece of sheetmetal. The stake pockets are not going to be a big deal, Ive got a good set from my junk bedsides. If anyone has a picture of a homemade bedside and would like to share I would appreciate it!

12-05-2009, 01:34 AM	#2
OrrieG Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Idaho Posts: 8,800	Re: Homemade Bed I remember two in the last year of so here, an advanced search should bring them up. __________________ 1959 Chevy Short Fleetside w/ 74 4WD drive train (current project) OrrieG Build Thread 1964 Chevelle Malibu w/ 355-350TH (daily driver) Helpful AD and TF Manual Site Old Car Manual Project

12-05-2009, 01:58 AM	#3
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,731	Re: Homemade Bed More years ago than I want to think about a friend in Texas built a bed by having a shop cut and bend up the sides so he had the angle and then he welded a length of 1-1/2" (I think) exhaust pipe to each lip to make the round part. He used a torch to weld it and it took a lot of effort to keep it from warping the metal. With a mig and going slow a guy should be able to do a pretty good job. You could cut the posts out of an old bed or make your own or buy new ones from one of the vendors that sells truck sheet metal. Last edited by mr48chev; 12-05-2009 at 01:59 AM.

12-05-2009, 09:40 AM	#4
cajundragger Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: louisiana Posts: 1,008	Re: Homemade Bed I made mine. some pics... bedside on... internal tailgate hindge made out of a crush sleeve and a mercedes strut bushing... Last edited by cajundragger; 12-05-2009 at 09:42 AM.

12-05-2009, 06:14 PM	#6
drivea55 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Monson,MA Posts: 503	Re: Homemade Bed what a beautiful job man! I also love the color __________________ current project; 1950 GMC "Junk Yard Dawg" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=635960 ___________________________________________ SOLD to "ONEBADFIVEFIVE" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=436406

12-05-2009, 06:23 PM	#7
chevyrestoguy Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: apple valley, ca Posts: 2,670	Re: Homemade Bed You did an EXCELLENT job! Kudos to you!

12-05-2009, 09:40 AM	#9
cajundragger Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: louisiana Posts: 1,008	Re: Homemade Bed back front bulkhead bedrail... baremetal rear end with a fender mocked...

12-05-2009, 09:41 AM	#10
cajundragger Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: louisiana Posts: 1,008	Re: Homemade Bed inside of tailgate... rear roll pan rear in primer inside of bed finished-

12-05-2009, 11:19 AM	#11
BlueJeep Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Waukee, Iowa Posts: 1,608	Re: Homemade Bed Cajundragger, Did you make your tailgate double-walled? Can't tell, but it looks like there is a hidden brace in the center. __________________ build threads: 86 Suburban 88 Jeep 6.0 swap 49 Chevy truck 54 Chevy wagon 86 Suburban lowered 4/6 54 Chevy wagon 49 Chevy/s10 mix 88 Jeep Wrangler rockcrawler

12-05-2009, 03:24 PM	#12
glowins10 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Newton, IL Posts: 38	Re: Homemade Bed Thanks for the great reply Cajundragger!! What type of pipe did you use? exhaust pipe sounds like a good idea.. I am looking at getting 1-1/4in schedule 40 black pipe. It has the outside deminsions i am looking for I think. Any other advise for when i start building my own.. Thanks agian!

12-05-2009, 06:59 PM	#13
BGRAFX Account Suspended Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: kansas city Ks Posts: 1,970	Re: Homemade Bed Damn! That is one good looking truck!!! What size spare tires and what truck were they originally from?

12-05-2009, 08:55 PM	#14
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,731	Re: Homemade Bed Nice work Cajundragger, That is exactly what I was talking about in my previous post.

12-05-2009, 10:12 PM	#15
cajundragger Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: louisiana Posts: 1,008	Re: Homemade Bed thanks guys. It was a good bit of work, but it was fairly inexpensive, and made exactly to fit. Man I'd hate to have to chop up a brand new Mar-K bed. to answer some questions... yes the tailgate is double walled and has a jam on each side. also I forgot to mention, the tailgate is stock height, but the whole bed is 2" taller than stock, but with a raised bedfloor its still deeper than stock. That is why I used internal tailgate hinges and such. the tube is all 1/8wall pipe. I think 1.25 sch. 40, its whatever stock was just in pipe. the spares are from a late model dodge 1500, they are 20's. anymore questions I'll do my best to answer...

12-06-2009, 06:05 PM	#16
Thadious Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Creston, BC Canada Posts: 369	Re: Homemade Bed I also made mine as well... went with mostly the stock look... same dimensions all the way around... 16 gauge cold rolled sheet... cut to length and right down the middle, bent up the sides on an 8' brake at the tech school I teach at then just welded a length of 1 5/8" x 16 ga wall thickness cold rolled tubing... mig the length, grind, smooth (fill any imperfections with weld or filler, your call), bend up a 3/4" length along the bottom edge, attach your stake pockets and voila. Will try to get some pics up when I can about it... but it's not really difficult to do. Cheers, Ted. __________________ '51 Chevy Build - In the design stages Aut viam inveniam aut faciam - I will either find a way or make one. If you don't have time to do it right the first time, when will you... My new build - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...70#post8958970

12-06-2009, 09:32 PM	#17
Kid Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Kansas Posts: 702	Re: Homemade Bed nice fab work cajundragger. great looking truck! __________________ The kid Build threads: 51 Jimmy http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=154951 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=219902 http://www.classictrucks.com/feature...uck/index.html 68 C10 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ad.php?t=50348



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12-08-2009, 01:37 AM	#19
72hotrodder THE TOY STORE Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: florence al Posts: 227	Re: Homemade Bed cajun. think you could give the measurments of the bed side, height length and the width of the bed? ask'n alot but a bed did'nt come with my truck and there are noone around me to referance __________________ having a badass truck and not driving it is like having a playboy model as a wife and not..... well you know.

12-08-2009, 10:49 AM	#20
cajundragger Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: louisiana Posts: 1,008	Re: Homemade Bed yeah but it wont be till this weekend. I live an hour away from my truck.

02-11-2010, 10:08 AM	#21
bratten82 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: edwardsville,ill Posts: 5	Re: Homemade Bed hey cajun what gauge steel did you use for your bed sides.

02-11-2010, 07:18 PM	#22
cajundragger Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: louisiana Posts: 1,008	Re: Homemade Bed the whole bed is 16 gauge 1x1 tube and sheet metal. Then the schedule 40 pipe. I don't think I'd make it out of anything thinner unless you had a beadroller and could add some strength. I definitely wouldn't make it out of anything thicker though.

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