COE A 42 GMC Bike Hauler thread

Your bride did a fine job, what would we do without them? Looking GOOD!

 

Well as most of you know I live out in the Bonnies . That along with all this pandemic **** I have had to much time to think and daydream . When I got my dodge quarters on and rolled it outside I didn’t like the proportion on it . ? So I decided to go a different route . Found some 42 commercial rear fenders which I will cot down to the size that works .
Yesterday day I cut about 2 months of work off and have about a weeks worth of grinding and hammer work on the bed . Change is good , right ? Blue

 

oh no!! Those great fins are getting the heave ho??

 

Well off the truck , but will be used for the sides of an Al. beadrolled glider for the porch . Will paint it up and have some of my old gas pumps mounted close with lights .
Plus I’m wanting to ge the COE done and finished by spring . Had just too much bodywork for an old man . Want be as flashy as with fins buy will be ok .

 

Will not be as flashy but I can handle it .

 

Hey, I liked that fender idea, but if it doesn't work for you, I understand.
I think I might have the same situation coming up in the future. I don't like how my rear fenders look, (after looking at them for 3 years) so thinking about what else I could try.

 

As much as I really like your fin idea, the proportions on the latest version are VERY nice... The way you have the top of the bed flow into the lines of the sleeper and cab works nicely...

 

You executed your vision! No hallucination on your part. It obviously had been rattling round in your mind for awhile and bit you. As they say a work-in progress but moving forward. Gliders are *****in

 

I like the more traditional change.
Full speed ahead toward maiden voyage!
JML

 

Sad to see the fins go, but your latest version is more beefy and truck like. I just went back through your entire thread. Thanks for sharing so much along the journey.

 

You must be bored to go through the whole thing . A lot of a wondering thoughts put out of my mind . Man I just want to get her done , still got two more projects to get done and I would like t take a break and enjoy them when this **** is gone . Hope you all are well . We will get this behind us .

 

Got the front emblem painted , polished, and installed. I like it and think it will make a statement!
Blue

 

Looks very truckly!

 

Beautiful! You are truly an Arhteest!!!!

 

Working on the top rail that will go around the bed . First piece is almost done . Should go fast now that I figured it out . The end will be trimmed 3/8” behind the tailgate hinge with a recessed plug that gets a reflector inserted in it . The front will get a radius on both sides to fill the void , also some rivets on top to match the bed . Oh and it’s 3” wide so it will hold beer cans .
Blue

 

That'll keep the box sides from flappin' in the breeze! What is the thing standing up next to the C-clamp in the 4th picture?

 

The tailgate I made out of a Uhaul ramp hinges to both sides on those pins . Or it comes off for a ramp . What you are looking at is the pin only in half way .

 

Got it!

 

I thought it was a tournament ski boat pylon!

 

That front edge fits nice, but seems pretty close to the cab. Could the ch***is twist cause it to hit?

 

That is actually the sleeper . The sleeper and bed are on a heavy 6” c channel that is the lift for both . Don’t think I will get much if any twist because of the way it is built , it floats off the ch***is. But we will see . I’ve got the other side done as well as a cross piece for the front . There will be two more fitted pieces on each side .

 

Well as you can see in this photo , besides the warpage where it was welded , I also had a bunch above it toward the rear . It is 16ga. and I have hammered over 10 hours and have not made any progress . Ordered some new sheet metal and will start drilling all the rivets today . Will make new bed sides with a little beadrolled detail before new attachment .
I have been finishing the top rail and did open the gap a bit up to 3/8” . Also filled in the area that was open . Will dress the weld a little with some tig weld .

 

Ok , I got the 284 rivets drilled and ground off the old side panels and they are history .
Started building my Aluminum bed sides .and in place . Once I get the fenders narrowed 5” and locations known , I will take it back apart to roll some beads rolled in and make some fake stake pockets .

 

Today I finished the flat Aluminum side panels . Cut down the 42 GMC drivers side fender . Took 51/2” out , was going to take another inch out but was scared of tire clearance with bags down . Took the original back mounting flange and made it fit with my shrinker / stretcher .
Bags down .

Rest with bags up .
Tomorrow I will finish fit , weld and temporary bolt up . And start otherside .

 

Another airbag down photo .

 

Nice!!! Something seems familiar about this....

 

Very nice work. Always good to have a pair of extra hands making sure things fit.

 

I like it...!

 

Did some supports like stake pockets. Beadrolled two square beads in each then did a little folding on each . The rear folds inward for mounting the rear panels. The center one will get fitted to the fenders after mounting . Fenders are well under way and should be done next week . Don’t know when it will warm up enough to paint .

 

Story I haven’t been around . December and January have been busy . My wife got me a pair of welding / layout tables, took a while to ***emble and get them set up . 1000#
Also been doing a lot of bead rolling . I’m designing my interior for my sleeper while I wait for it to warm up to paint the rest of the truck . The circle design I came up with and rolled on a piece of s**** of 18ga will be part of the ceiling and the center will be where the interior light will go . It will be a fairly large piece and wrap from the front opening all the way to the rear window . Then custom panels on each side .