My little 1980 F100 Flareside

[ArdWrknTrk]

Most composite decking in this country comes grooved both sides.
Using a T shaped spacer like 'tiger claws' or 'ebb ties' allows you to screw the open edge of one down while giving you a spacer for the next.

If you were to use something like an elevator bolt, and clearance for the shank you could get both planks up tight against another.

[Max]

Hello and sorry for the loading problem with the pictures.
I use now the Forums upload possibility.

to the Bed.

The "cross beams" are direct attached to the Frame and these bolts disappear under the floor.





The deck attached to the "cross-Beams". Each plank come with a groove. Jim told it right and the Planks are fixed with this one:




The tie down is attached to the deck and on each cross member for more stability.

Max

[ArdWrknTrk]

You've done a tremendous job with your truck, Max!

I really like the idea of composite decking in the bed.
Though it might scuff, it's easy to slide things in and out, and it won't ever get soft and rot.

You must get a lot of envious looks when driving it around.  

[Bulletproof250]

Max

What are you using for the t-slot ties down rails? are they custom or a particular vehicle part that you salvaged? I'm considering using your flooring idea to redo my bed floor instead of new sheet metal. Truck looks great! thanks for all of the pictures and details

[GMACD]

Hello Max,

That is some masterpiece you have going there.  I have always wondered what a Flareside would look like in white. The black stripe is very classy.  Thanks you for the excellent photos.

[Max]

Bulletproof250 wrote

Max

What are you using for the t-slot ties down rails? are they custom or a particular vehicle part that you salvaged? I'm considering using your flooring idea to redo my bed floor instead of new sheet metal. Truck looks great! thanks for all of the pictures and details

Thank you Alex,

We call the rails "AirLine tie down".

https://www.uscargocontrol.com/shop/Enclosed-Trailer-Accessories/Airline-Straps-Hardware

Cost around 40,- in germany for two rails.

https://www.ebay.de/itm/2-m-Alu-Airlineschiene-eckig-mit-Bohrungen-Zurrschiene-Ladungssicherung/273466685021?epid=6030170850&hash=item3fabe2765d:g:6CMAAOSwuhZej4FE

GMACD wrote

Hello Max,

That is some masterpiece you have going there.  I have always wondered what a Flareside would look like in white. The black stripe is very classy.  Thanks you for the excellent photos.

Thank you very much!

[Max]

Small updates,

new white LEDS with the original blue Cap for the Dash and i have painted some (not all) silver lines.

The new tacho comes later, the winter is long.




What I have to watch out for is my C6 transmission. Something is buzzing.
It is always the same in every gear, I guess the oil pump.
After an oil / filter change it is better.

Here is a video before the oil change.

C6 Noise Video

and this is how it looked in the old filter form the C6.





But it works very fine!


Max

[1986F150Six]

The dash and instrument cluster look wonderful!

[Sac79]

A fine looking truck with a lot of work in it!

[Gary Lewis]

Yes, Max, the gauges look great.  

But that filter looks awful!  What's in there?  Can you tell?

[Max]

Thanks @ all

in the filter and the pan a lot of small pieces of metal.



There are magnetic. I think thats the reason for the noises in the transmission.
But, what is this? it was in the pan too?



The old liquid looked very clear and did not smell burned.



Since it is working properly I drive times so on.

[Gary Lewis]

The pieces look like part of a snap ring.  But if it is working well, I'd do as you said - drive it.

Are those Vernier calipers?  You aren't using dial calipers?  Cool!

[ArdWrknTrk]

The scale seems to be labeled 1/128 In.

[Gary Lewis]

Yes, it is. So, what scale would that be?

Inch/mm is 1/25.4 so 12.7 is a multiple.  Or 127. But 128?  

[ArdWrknTrk]

1,1/2,1/4,1/8,1/16,1/32,1/64,1/128,1/256,1/512,1/1024,1/2058,1/4116,1/8232.....

[Gary Lewis]

True.  So it is probably in inches.

[ArdWrknTrk]

I'm glad that digital calipers can do conversion for me but day to day a dial caliper never runs out of battery and is easy to read.

My eyes are getting to where it's a challenge to use my Mitotoyo verniers.
So all that is packed in grandpa's Kennedy box.

[Bulletproof250]

Max do those dim even though they are LED?

Could you post the info on the replacement bulbs?

I want to do this but there are so many Lumen options and wattage equivalent specifications, I'm concerned I'll get them and they will be so bright the color from the factory cap does not show through.

[Gary Lewis]

I really like the HIPO LEDs I'm using, although they are expensive.

Have you read this thread?  http://forum.garysgaragemahal.com/Instrument-Lighting-Paint-Testing-tp52526p52839.html

[Bulletproof250]

Thanks,