Thank you all for letting me share. When Jim asked me to share this build here I never had any idea it would get this much interest on a dedicated RV site.
However there are almost 4 times as many views here than on a diesel site I have been a member of for a few years and basicly running a duplicate post.
That tells me there is either...... genuine interest in the build..... or a whole lot of retired people with nothing better to do LOL None
As far as being finished..... It won't happen for a long time, these trucks are often upgraded and changed to make things easier or adapt to different loads. I already have modifications planned like extending the bed further forward, making a movable ramp to get stuff to the upper platform and notching the sleeper deeper to get 2 small units like the 14' Edge on the bed so I can drag 3 at a time on occassion. This modification is one reasom my winch is side mounted and when I build the center rail it will go all the way under the sleeper with the sheave mounted near the front of the sleeper for the winch cable. Will start building the center channel tomorrow, you'll see a little clearer what I am talking about.
WOOOOHOOOOOOOO The bed fabrication is finished.
Welded on the right rub rail, left deck stiffener and deck plate on the left side. Everything is ground down and ready for paint.
Had to make what is hopefully my last trip to Northern Tool to pick up 10 more lbs of welding rod and....... Cord and connector to make the extension pig tail for the stinger. 5 more rolls of electrical tape to tape up the wire looms.
A couple wheels for the trailer tounge jacks.... one is a spare, they don't last long in gravel lots.
Good high strength 5/16" chain and hooks for the stinger safety chains
License plate bracket and light to mount on the back of the sleeper
Valspar oil base paint and primer for the frame and bed. These beds take a beating. Expensive automotive paint is a waste of money here.
