unbrokenchain
Member
- Joined
- Jan 5, 2021
- Location
- Black Mountain NC
Not sure if this is the right spot for this so move if needed?
I've got this 86 Dodge, there's a build thread with some photos and info, but here I've got some specific questions about the homemade bed on this truck and how (or whether) to fix it.
Background, I'm a pretty handy dude for vehicles and buildings and all that, but zero experience welding and no garage or shop to speak of. Planning to build one, but right now I've just got a driveway and a truck. I've also been considering buying a 110v flux core welder from Northern. Plan for the truck is not a dedicated off-roader, more a hauler so I can repair my house, but also a firewood-getter and hunting truck, so I'd like to have at least better-than-stock crawlability. But I do plan to use the bed, and while I won't be hauling tons of stone, I'd rather it not rip off the truck frame with an uneven load or whatnot.
You can see in the photos that the bed sucks... well the oak on top is pretty cool, and nothing wrong with the C channels, but to my untrained eye the welds look like poop and there isn't a lot of mechanical support connecting it to the truck frame.
So, my questions:
1. To those with experience, how bad are these welds?
2. Should I leave the bed and just add supports/repair welds, or start over?
3. Is this material fair game with a flux core/gasless welder, or do I need something more stout
4. If I acquire a welder that can tackle it, is this a recommended beginner project, or should I get someone else for now and work up to it?
Thanks y'all
I've got this 86 Dodge, there's a build thread with some photos and info, but here I've got some specific questions about the homemade bed on this truck and how (or whether) to fix it.
Background, I'm a pretty handy dude for vehicles and buildings and all that, but zero experience welding and no garage or shop to speak of. Planning to build one, but right now I've just got a driveway and a truck. I've also been considering buying a 110v flux core welder from Northern. Plan for the truck is not a dedicated off-roader, more a hauler so I can repair my house, but also a firewood-getter and hunting truck, so I'd like to have at least better-than-stock crawlability. But I do plan to use the bed, and while I won't be hauling tons of stone, I'd rather it not rip off the truck frame with an uneven load or whatnot.
You can see in the photos that the bed sucks... well the oak on top is pretty cool, and nothing wrong with the C channels, but to my untrained eye the welds look like poop and there isn't a lot of mechanical support connecting it to the truck frame.
So, my questions:
1. To those with experience, how bad are these welds?
2. Should I leave the bed and just add supports/repair welds, or start over?
3. Is this material fair game with a flux core/gasless welder, or do I need something more stout
4. If I acquire a welder that can tackle it, is this a recommended beginner project, or should I get someone else for now and work up to it?
Thanks y'all
