Pick up body

Post by **jonali** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 9:44 am

Hi Guys.

Rebuilding a pick up. The load area side and even the wheel arches are fixable but the framing and floor are totalled. I am thinking that the best method would be one that allowed each side to removed separately to allow for easyish maintenance and conversion to flat bed if needed.

Anybody done this already or has ideas/pictures of pick ups and the load area in particular?

Thanks

Jon

Post by **morrisman1** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 10:00 am

when you say pickup im not sure what you mean. is it a wellside deck on it, like the van but without the top or is it a flatdeck type?

they made flatdecks so if you are converting to one then i think you would be best to obtain a cab-backpanel for one and then fabricate your own framework for the decking.

i could give you a pattern if you wanted

Post by **bigginger** » Tue Oct 14, 2008 9:56 pm

morrisman1 wrote:
they made flatdecks

Not in this country, they didn't

The standard factory pick-up back is in pretty much teo halves anyway. joined by the cab back and rear X member

Post by **rayofleamington** » Wed Oct 15, 2008 12:16 am

and conversion to flat bed if needed

Anything can be done (as long as you get clearance to the wheels)

However the original steel back adds character and value to the car. Most home made back ends are often more work for less gain.

Panels for the load bay floor (with and without the arch section included) are available and so are repair sections for the sides. The usual Minor suppliers can source these but they aren't the only option. [As a moderator I'm not allowed to recommend suppliers]

Post by **jonali** » Wed Oct 15, 2008 8:45 am

Ok Guys. It is a pickup with tub sides.

Looking at the tub sides it looks to me like the rubber seal between it and the load area is at best a water trap and at worst it is actual wearing the paint and starting the rust and I am not that keen on putting it back as was.
Have various ideas but haven't settled on one yet.

Any body got a plan of the tub with dimensions just so I can cross check.

Post by **jonali** » Wed Oct 15, 2008 9:09 am

and again, Is the rubber strip between the load area and side there simple to fill a gap or is the gap there to allow movement between floor and sides. ie if I fix floor solidly to sides will it cause problems later
J

Post by **rayofleamington** » Wed Oct 15, 2008 12:57 pm

if I fix floor solidly to sides will it cause problems later

i fixed it on mine about every 20" - in the absence of knowing a better way. This adds to the rigidity of the floor and sides.

Post by **jonali** » Wed Oct 15, 2008 6:55 pm

Thanks Ray,
Am looking around at other suppliers for panels but I am still erring towards a custom load bay. The section that was the front cross member and the one above that where replaced with a single panel I boshed together in 2mm. So even the replacement parts would need chopping.
Working out the weight of a custom back around the same lines as the original in the 2mm gives me a weight increase of about 2 kgs and I have certainly scraped off more than that in rust.

J