I used 3/16"rivits and an L shaped rubber seal so it wouldn't rattle.
The hardest part of making the whole bed (tube bending included) was the rear diamond plate corners. I made a cardboard template so I knew the shape was right and cut out my pieces with a jigsaw (use an aluminum cutting oil, it makes cutting a ton easier. Then I had to heat up the aluminum and bend the diamond plate to fit. By bending, I mean standing on the each piece and pulling up and hoping to god I got the radius close. Keep in mind this stuff is way thicker (nearly 3/16") than the material used to make toolboxes and truck bedcaps. Shockingly enough though, they fit great.

 

Very nice, looks like I need to talk our shop into getting a tube bender.

 

I really like you design/idea. This is the best bed replacement that I've seen. With a little more work this would be legal in all states I bet. Very original, its the first I've seen with such a slick set up.

 

That looks good man. Where I live, about the only thing that would be illegal about it is if you drank a 6-pack before driving it around.

 

I like it.

 

actually, you do have the laws... they are Federal laws.

 

Your gonna blind people night wheelin... Its either gonna keep them away or blind them and run into you

Looks great and real clean nice job!

 

What'd you figure out for the gas filler neck? Do an inbed type thing? Cause the way I just did it was to cut down the hoses so it'll tuck up nicely under the bed once I make my own tube/flatbed.

 

I ran it inside the bed and didn't alter the hose(s) at all. From a distance you would think it goes into my toolbox. Actually, running my filler neck into the toolbox was my original intention, but I have a slimline toolbox so it would have been a pita to get at with tools and such in there. I will post a couple of tiny ass pics, so put your glasses on everyone. (I still can't figure out why none of my pics are loading as thumbnails, I checked that photobucket deal, but no dice. I think I am just going to start taking pics in a lower resolution.)

 

I'll get the pics you need when I am at work tomorrow. I am so pissed about this uploading photos bullsh**, this is completely kicking my ass.

 

crap I guess I will not be legal when I go to WI in sept

that is a real nice looking bed you made

 

Here is how the fuel filler goes through the bed. Its ends up just below the toolbox.

 

Thanks for taking the time to show everyone your pics. That's one of the best jobs I've seen.

Good call on the plating inside the tube framing. When building fences for large animals, you HAVE to install the fencing inside the posts. Otherwise, the pressure they exert on the fencing causes fasteners to fail over time. All the force is on the posts, not the fasteners.

 

that looks sweeeeeeetaahhh. i wish i coulda made one like that instead of buying another one.

 

Welcome to yotatech!
Thats definately one of the coolest most functional custom beds ive seen, you didnt loose any of the benefits of the regular bed but gained all sorts of extras and more protection

roughly how much did you spend on a project like that for tubing and diamond plating? just out of curiosity.

 

I think I paid less than $200 for all of the tubing. The floor framework is 1" square and I think I spent about $40 on that. I use a steel supplier in town and they usually cut me a deal if I pay cash. The diamond plate was free . My friend works at a place that builds the tanks for "used food haulers". They use diamond plate to trim were the tank sits on the truck frame. They use about 3/4 of the full sheet and the rest is considered scrap. The dp is approx 3/16" thick also. I am sure it would have cost me hundreds of dollars to buy all the material I used.
I guess I spent about $300 including materials (rivits, seals, etc.)

 

thats a bad dude

 

Looks awesome...I am getting a 90 p/u next week, and the bed is rotted, how much did the metal cost...I would love to do that!!

 

ooops... sorry...should have read all before posting...doh!!

 

I figured it must be for lighting issues, and mud flaps, etc.

Well, those things could all be fixed with a bit of time and not much $$.

Thanks for sharing, this bed = very nice.