Tubs

[BobbyFord]

Here's a couple teaser pics of my tub widening. Even though I've been on hiatus from the website, I've still been messing with my truck.
After the lowering project, I tried to get the blue steelie drag radials on the truck and needed to widen the tubs. The donor tubs did not have a clean inside surface side so I chose to use a section out of them. Just going with a 3-1/2" wider tub, but wanted to keep the stock look:

[mlheppl]

Looks good. I always enjoy reading your welding/bodywork project threads.

[fordman]

how did you handle the floor braces underneath? did you just cut them off or make the ends flanged? as they were originally. even though they are barley held to the wheel wells in the first place.

[hazelnut]

Nice work, Looks a lot better than aftermarket tubs would. Also like the color match to the cab from the donors j/k

[BobbyFord]

Looks good. I always enjoy reading your welding/bodywork project threads.

Thanks Mike.

how did you handle the floor braces underneath? did you just cut them off or make the ends flanged? as they were originally. even though they are barley held to the wheel wells in the first place.

I spotwelded a section of angle iron to the bottom of the bed along inside edge of the wheel well and then spotwelded the wheel well to the angle iron and then used more angle iron to connect the existing bed braces to long section of iron. It's stronger than stock. I would have taken pictures of that area but the last time I had the bed off I popped my back out while standing the bed on end and had to take a week off The welds in that area arent pretty because I was having issues with the wind and getting the welder adjusted for the varying thickness of the bed and the angle iron. I'll take some more pics when I weld in the left tub.

...Also like the color match to the cab from the donors j/k

I hadn't even noticed that

[forrestbump]

Like all things you do, PERFECTION comes to my mind when I see your work. Great job as always Bobby!

I have to add, it's Good having you back...

[BobbyFord]

Like all things you do, PERFECTION comes to my mind when I see your work. Great job as always Bobby!

I have to add, it's Good having you back...

Thanks, Larry

[BiggDogg]

Wow, looks really good. Can't wait to see more

[sargentrs]

Always like checking out your "project" threads, Bobby. When I'm going to attempt something I always try "BobbyFord" as the author in my searches. Glad to have ya back!

[basketcase0302]

2nd the good seeing you again man!
Here I was telling everybody I bet you got a ticket for driving down the strip with no hood!
Looking good.

[BobbyFord]

Toasted my back 2 weeks ago standing the bed on end by myself (note to self: You're not 20 anymore) so I'm healed and back at it
I line the inside tub edge with a trimmed piece of angle iron. This will tie the tub to the two bed cross supports:


Half of the front-most bed support welded to the angle iron, there will be a similar piece of angle iron below this one:


This is the larger rear bed support tied into the inside edge:


I had to pie cut this side because of the taper of the donor tub material:


I just sprayed the bare metal with rattle can black to inhibit rust. This entire bed will get blasted, primed, underside coated and outside painted. Here's the inside of the wheel well after pie cutting and welding:


I have more welding and grinding tomorrow. These tubs will get a skincoat of bondo before final painting:


I'll get a pic with the 13.5" drag radials tomorrow.

[70shortbox]

nice work

[1971ford]

My old tubs

They look much better there than they did in my side yard for sure! Nice work

[BobbyFord]

I still have more welding and grinding to do on the tubs but I had to see how it drove with these sticky tires. The acceleration is awesome. Before, I would just spin the skinny, little T/A Radials, these MT ET's just grab and go. I like the stance, 5 3/4" drop in the rear, 3" Dream Beam drop in the front, slight stagger from the tire size difference. Still gotta paint the front rims and mount them.


These tires looked fatter sitting in my spare bedroom

[basketcase0302]

Can't wait to see what it'll do in the 1/4!
Looking real good Bobby.