IT HAS BEGUN! 1983 flatbed removal
 

Picked up a Porter Cable 10 amp Tiger Saw today and went to town on the old flatbed on my Hilux. Made a total of 6 cuts. The rest was knocked apart with a BFH. Lousy welds :laugh: :welder: :pat:

http://www.haveblueonline.com/1983/E.../Phase%201.htm

If it's slightly warmer tomorrow, I'm going to start stripping the interior. Anyone need a fairly good condition bench seat?

Looking Good
 

It's always more fun tearing things up yourself and then building them back up anyway! Looks like you got some work and some fun ahead of you in the hours, days, months (years) to come! :laugh:

:guitar:

Looks like a good start. :bigok:

Are you building a new flatdeck? I built a nice flatdeck with removable sides and tailgate for my diesel. Pics available if needed.

zedex-
I'd like to see that if you have a moment. Thank you!

I've been thinking about an All-Pro flatbed kit. I like the way they look. I would tweek it some and adapt it to my liking. I've also come across a few beds online. One of them is here in Colorado. Not a bad deal either. That stage is still several months away, though. I've concentrating on swapping the cab, engine, etc over to a new frame. Then I'm going to build up the suspension, diffs, t-case, driveline, etc. Flatbed and exo will be one of the last items I address.

Whats your email? I only have a few pics but it worked out nice and didnt cost much.

Classic mid-western rust:
http://www.haveblueonline.com/1983/E...oval%20006.jpg
:eeek:

Its gonna make a great (long, expensive, painfull, blood-sweat-and-tears) project. Have fun, Alan!
:cool:

About time for the desconstruction/reconstruction phase to get further under way. I like it!

Have you gotten a welder yet, or did you already have one and I just never remembered that?

Any tentative time frame goals, or is it just sort of here and there?

I liked that picture, too. It souded like *bang* *bang* *crunch*.

Adrian-
My original goal was to have the axles, springs, engine and tranny mounted to the new frame by this time. But, a slight increase in the prime rate and a substantial decrease in mortgage refinances and applications caused me and 38 of my co-workers to find greener grass. So, my plans were put on hold, I changed my name to Matt Foley, I became a motivational speaker and I LIVE IN A VAN DOWN BY THE RIVER!

zedex,

I PM'ed you my e-mail address. I'd like to see those pics of your flatbed, thinking of building one myself.

Thanks:nerd:

Oh yeah, I forgot my e-mail, too.

Thanks again!

have_blue@earthlink.net

Dude, i havent seen that skit in a long time. It was one of my favorites of his. Oh yeah, good luck with the flatbed project.

So any updates I was thinking of the all pro flatbed for mine too. Infact I found a older 80's truck on marlin's site with I believe pics of the all pro flatbed kit installed.
http://board.marlincrawler.com/index...;id=8853;image
his id on there is notajeep

Whoa! I saw this thread and said, "Hey, I created a post just like that!"

:pat:

Latest update...
Sold the front axle to another member here. Truck still sits in garage waiting for a guy to come and haul it off. All the rust made it an exceedingly expensive project.

I've had my eyes open for 1st gen. If the right deal comes along, I'll probably jump on it and build it slowly.

I saw the hammer pic and was like ouch. Glad mine's not that bad it has been patched though with some thick plate. Also my cab had been repaired in some spots.

Anyways good luck in the newer truck hunt.