46 Power Wagon Restoration pt. 2

[gyman98]

These are the measurements of the first gen stake pockets if you are interested. The last picture is the one I completed

[Desoto61]

Thanks. I posted a few back that I did some quick math based around the weight per sq. ft. of 3/16" diamond plate and rounded up, based on that I'm between 800 and 1000 lbs would be my guess. Definitely settles the back end when it's on.

Managed to make all my round holes square for the carriage bolts holding the bed on. Determined the easiest way was to lift the bed off and drill the hole 1/16" larger than the bolt shank, then I used a jig-saw with a metal blade to nibble the corners out and just touched them up with a file. Worked well and was much quicker than trying to file them all square. Only had one that I got a little carried away and the bolt is a little loose, but that's not a problem.

Next are some stake pockets, I want the option of being able to install a ladder rack or similar accessory in the bed for future use.

[defdes]

Any idea on the weight of that bed? I love the shape.

[CSCameron]

Really nice! I love the look of that bed on these trucks.

Clark

[gyman98]

Looks good! I like it!

[Desoto61]

Thanks for the kind words. I'm definitely going to 37's next time, if I'll try to sell off the 35s or just run them out I don't know but plenty of other things to get done in the mean time.

Had an ABS sensor in my car go, and the weather here has been kind of crazy, so the goal was to use my garage for maintenance for a change. To accomplish that I drilled a set of holes for some carriage bolts to hold everything in place, and figured out a way to re-connect the battery in the bed, and re-mounted the spare to get it out of my way. Then fired everything up and played musical cars.

Definitely a big change in the look, not sure if it's the angle or the shape but it makes the truck look so much longer, even though there's little overhang on that bed.

As a side note it was really nice being able to use the lift for it's intended purpose, got a bunch of maintenance done on the car out of the cold weather without having to lay on the ground and all my tools nearby.

Before the rain came I got the truck back in the garage and before I lifted the bed off (from the bottom this time) I laid out and drilled the rest of the mounting holes. At some point I'll need to turn the round holes square, but in my typical fashion I'm using lots of pretty big bolts, but those large D-ring shackles in the back are tied to the bed, not the frame, so if I want to use them eight 1/2" bolts should hopefully be enough.

I removed the filler neck and lifted the bed, made sure I had marked out the location and installed a patch panel then cut a new hole for the filler, then drilled and tapped the mounting bolt holes. Last little task was to lay out and drill the holes in the rear bumper for the trailer wiring plug.

Putting the spare back showed me that there's no room for a stake pocket on that side, which means they will have to go on the inside of the bed, which will be one of my next tasks along with making some round holes square.

[Todd M]

Your truck looks good and I enjoy the updates of all your work. It is excellent and I wish I only could do the same.

[W_A_Watson_II]

Yea, anything smaller than a 36 looks small, and even at 36" you always want more to full out the wheel wells.

My brother has 37's on his M37 and they look pretty good on it. http://m37.wawii.com/DLW-80049099/im...6_NewTires.jpg

[Desoto61]

Still coming along and looking great.

Thanks, I really like how that bed looks on the truck, though at this point I think any bed would probably do that. Though I still should have gone with the 37" tires! They look good, just funny how much this truck makes them look small.

And Matt the rear suspension definitely moved when I put the bed down on it, which is the first time I've managed to get it to do so. I can jump around on the back and get more flex from the tires than the suspension. It does however level out the weight in the front and flatten the stance better.

[W_A_Watson_II]

Still coming along and looking great.

[Desoto61]

The bed has landed (temporarily)

To get the bed back on the PW I had to remove the spare tire, and my temporary battery mount, and rear lighting and plate holder, luckily the truck rolls fairly easily on the garage floor.

I tried a few different ways of picking up the bed but had to grab it from the top in the end. Too many interferences from the bottom but the top limits how high I can lift the bed. It works but not ideal.

After a few times of having to jack the front or back and shift the truck slightly to get it lined up under the bed I got it just about right. I picked up some high density urethane strips to go between the bed and frame and space it a little higher since the cab is also lifted.

Had to make a cut in the bumper to clear the trailer hitch, which I knew would be needed, though it was larger than I thought as the bed sits lower than I had expected, but it works out and helps hide the hitch pretty well. I also had to open up the slot for the spare tire carrier.

Biggest problem I have is that the fuel filler on my replacement tank isn't in the same location as the original tank. It's close but I'm going to have to move the opening and hope I don't run into the rear fender. Still, it fits well, I should have no issues with clearance behind the rear lights, and it definitely looks good. It's quite close to the cab but the wheels are lined up in their openings so it seems to be where it belongs.

Have a couple of more test fittings to do, besides moving the filler neck opening I still need to figure out the stake pockets too and then drill holes for mounting bolts.

[Desoto61]

Did you ever get the window leak and cowl vent leak fixed, what did you do?
Truck bed is looking good.

Thanks, I'm happy to have figured out something for the tailgate!

Interestingly we haven't had the right weather to test the cowl vent leak, but it seems to be fixed. I purchased some thin closed cell foam weatherstrip and installed it on the underside of the cowl vent right around the inside edge. It was a little tricky while still installed on the truck but so far seems to be working, but again we haven't had a real soaker since.

I have not figured out the windshield gasket, though a similar fix should work. The reality is that the windshield frame probably needs tweaked as there is a big gap in the middle and no gap at the edges, but I'm not going to chance cracking the glass trying to tweak it. Removing it would be a bear I don't want to tackle.

[Bob2]

Did you ever get the window leak and cowl vent leak fixed, what did you do?
Truck bed is looking good.

[Desoto61]

Loving how this bed is turning out, rough guess on what it will weigh?

Thanks, I have no idea but some quick simple math says 900-1000 lbs is not unreasonable. Crazy part is that's still way lighter than what was there before since the boom and winch aren't going back in. Though my rear leaf springs aren't as beefy as the ones I removed either.

The good news is I was re-arranging vehicles for some yard work so I pulled the PW back to the garage so I can test-fit the bed and finalize a few things, and it still fits under my garage door with the new tires. That makes life easier for sure. Now I just need to figure out how to position it on the lift to let me set it on the frame.

Only problem is Doc said I need go easy for a few weeks, my daily runs have apparently started catching up with with me. Sucks getting older!

[Matthew Welcher PWA]

Loving how this bed is turning out, rough guess on what it will weigh?