Pick up builders and followers

[Petescj]

Anybody think about using a Tj Brute bed? I really like the Aqualu aluminum bed cause it will accept a standard Cj tailgate if I don't get the storage one. You never know what will happen over the course of the build so I'm keeping my bed options open. I'll build the wheel base around the Aqualu bed cause I like the look of the 111 inch-112 inch wheel base area. If times are tough I'll even build a wood bed at first. Thoughts? Opinions? I'm open to them all.

 

[Scooter402]

I think we've all seen that I'm the "low budget" type. The TJ Brute beds look great, but they're way out of my budget right now. As of the last couple days, (thanks again to all y'all ) I've been hunting craigslist for pickup beds. Or I'll use some other creative keywords for searching. I found a couple days ago I think an old Chevy or Ford step side bed that would have been a good style to start with for $200. Now that I'm searching for it again, I can't seem to find it... I don't have the space to put it anywhere even if I were to get it right away, anyway...
My other options I was leaning toward was something like what you had mentioned as well. I was thinking I'd fab my own bed. If I can find a local steel supplier, I was thinking I'd build a truck bed using box tube, a wood floor, and either steel or expanded/perforated sheet for the sides. I'd probably use my stock tailgate for the Jeep logo to make a new tailgate as well.

It's also crossed my mind to start off with closing off the cab the way I want, stretching the frame to my desired wheelbase, then just going a little at a time with it, like building a wooden flatbed. If I was creative and planned ahead (nice wish on my part...), I could even use it like a "build-as-you-go" type of thing.

 

[mtnwhlr]

I used to have a Chevy Luv 4X4 and I think the wheelbase was pretty close to a CJ7 and it had a short bed box that might make for a good start.

 

[Posi]

The CJ 75 and under straight c-channel frames are slightly easier then the 76-86 boxed frames to stretch. The later CJ boxed 2 piece frames use a 1/8" inner channel, and 3/16" outside channel, plus the later frames has bends from the factory.

The easiest way I stretched my 79 frame was to have a local shop bend 4-20" pieces, 2 @1/8", 2 @ 3/16". I paid $8 each for the 4 pieces bent.



When bent at 90° the inner 1/8" slides into the outer 3/16" piece.



I plated the inside and outside



105"



Hope this helps.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Nice!
What welder do you use?
LG

 

[Posi]

Thanks, Miller 211

 

[Lumpy Grits]

One of the best 'small' welders out there!
LG

 

[Petescj]

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Ck this out.......
https://www.facebook.com/4wdaction/videos/10154481748915001/

LG

 

[Peanut Butter]

Ck this out.......
https://www.facebook.com/4wdaction/videos/10154481748915001/

LG

Reminds me of the old Gama-Goat. If you know what that is, don't tell anybody, you'll be dating yourself.

Pete, you already know my ideas, but for those of you that don't, follow the link below and see what started all of this.

 

[Peanut Butter]

The CJ 75 and under straight c-channel frames are slightly easier then the 76-86 boxed frames to stretch. The later CJ boxed 2 piece frames use a 1/8" inner channel, and 3/16" outside channel, plus the later frames has bends from the factory.

The easiest way I stretched my 79 frame was to have a local shop bend 4-20" pieces, 2 @1/8", 2 @ 3/16". I paid $8 each for the 4 pieces bent.

When bent at 90° the inner 1/8" slides into the outer 3/16" piece.
Hope this helps.

Thanks Posi. I hadn't thought of that.

 

[Petescj]

I think we've all seen that I'm the "low budget" type. The TJ Brute beds look great, but they're way out of my budget right now. As of the last couple days, (thanks again to all y'all ) I've been hunting craigslist for pickup beds. Or I'll use some other creative keywords for searching. I found a couple days ago I think an old Chevy or Ford step side bed that would have been a good style to start with for $200. Now that I'm searching for it again, I can't seem to find it... I don't have the space to put it anywhere even if I were to get it right away, anyway...
My other options I was leaning toward was something like what you had mentioned as well. I was thinking I'd fab my own bed. If I can find a local steel supplier, I was thinking I'd build a truck bed using box tube, a wood floor, and either steel or expanded/perforated sheet for the sides. I'd probably use my stock tailgate for the Jeep logo to make a new tailgate as well.

It's also crossed my mind to start off with closing off the cab the way I want, stretching the frame to my desired wheelbase, then just going a little at a time with it, like building a wooden flatbed. If I was creative and planned ahead (nice wish on my part...), I could even use it like a "build-as-you-go" type of thing.

Nothing the matter with low budget. I'd like to fab my own frame and bed myself but doing a frame stretch after watching a YouTube show on how to wed might not pan out. Believe me I wouldn't mind spending less. I thought about the flat bed also but it doesn't fit my needs very well. Not a bad idea to get it road worthy like that while you build a bed.

 

[Petescj]

I used to have a Chevy Luv 4X4 and I think the wheelbase was pretty close to a CJ7 and it had a short bed box that might make for a good start.

I can't remember the last time I've even seen a Luv truck. I don't think any have survived here in the Northeast. All those little mini trucks of that era seem to have rusted away to nothing around here.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

I'm 65 yo, so I know well of 'The Goat'
LG

 

[Scooter402]

Nothing the matter with low budget. I'd like to fab my own frame and bed myself but doing a frame stretch after watching a YouTube show on how to wed might not pan out. Believe me I wouldn't mind spending less. I thought about the flat bed also but it doesn't fit my needs very well. Not a bad idea to get it road worthy like that while you build a bed.

I know what you mean. It can be an intimidating task for sure. Each major project I have taken on with my jeep has been preceded by the last second thought of "are we sure we want to do this?" Immediately followed with "bah...it's only metal. What's the worst that could happen?" Which is also why I have a t-shirt that says Confidence -- that feeling you get before you do something incredibly stupid.

I've been kicking back and forth if I really do want to do a flatbed style bed or not. I know I don't want it only to be a flatbed. I do want bed sides and a tailgate, but I am intrigued by the utility of a flatbed. That's why I was thinking of going that route, and finding some creative way to box it in.

On the flip side, those Brute bed kits look great. I must be shopping the wrong place, though. I was going to check out the price on it again, and I looked at the brute kit on Quadratec, and it was out of stock, no longer being sold. Where are you looking?

 

[Peanut Butter]

Here's a flat bed for you, just a TJ front:

 

[Scooter402]

That one is cool. I'd like it better without most of the lights. When I saw it, that's what made me start thinking about a flatbed. More searching had led me to a couple other designs I like even better:

This one is fully enclosed, kind of a utility box with flatbed top.


And this one I like even more. I think it may be something that I'll aim for, except maybe add something to have a short bed side (at least it works in my feeble imagination)




I like the way the bed "fits" the look of the jeep cab, rather that just being the standard typical flatbed.

 

[Petescj]

I like the 2nd one from the side and if you brought the bed sides up to the door windows it would probably look ok. But from the rear it looks like a Corvette trying to a winch. The first one looks pretty good as well. Keep the examples coming as you run across them. :drool:

 

[mtnwhlr]

. But from the rear it looks like a Corvette trying to a winch. /quote]

 

[Scooter402]

yeah, I agree with both y'all. The back of that one does look a little odd. I wouldn't have boat sided the back end like that... I'd have left the panels vertical just like the front bottom of the bed.