Exterior Semi-Tech General discussion of exterior for the Ford Ranger.

Bobbing the bed..

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Old 02-01-2009
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Bobbing the bed..

Idk if this goes here, or in metal fab.. but it can get moved accordingly.

*this goes out to guys that know a thing or two about welding sheet metal/body work..

I forgot when i work next saturday(and don't know about sunday yet), but if i work in the morning I think I'm gonna start my bob/dovetail project..

When i bob it, I'm gonna be cutting 8+" out of the bed (still undecided) How do i reattach the 2 halves? do i stick a piece of metal behind it and tack/spot weld all the way down? then sand and bondo the crack?


once its bobbed i can dove tail it.. then build a rear bumper, then shock hoops, then longer shocks in the rear.. oh boy, its exciting!! haha
 
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Old 02-01-2009
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Heres a couple links Matt

http://www.off-road.com/trucks4x4/ar....jsp?id=186501
http://www.atarmor.com/bedbob.htm

And check out www.pavementsucks.com for more info. A lot of guys have done them over there.
 
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Old 02-01-2009
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most just but weld it.

how are going to shorten it 8" with the leaf springs? what is the point of shortening it if you are not going to shorten the wheel base?
 
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Old 02-01-2009
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http://www.atarmor.com/bedbob.htm

kinda like that ^^
morphed with a jeep here, the back like 6" of his exposed frame is just a plate step/air tank..

im undecided, i want to cut out my dent/wrinkle but i also want my tailgate to line up with the 2x4 rear cross member i'm gonna put in once i hack the frame off at the shackle hangers...
 
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Old 02-01-2009
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in that little how to he didnt gain anything from bobbing the bed. what maybe 2 inches
 
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Old 02-01-2009
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keeps you from beating up the bed too much?
i know what you mean.. I'm probably gonna do it so it lines up with the spring hangers


i don't have the money for 14" travel air shocks
or tube
or rod ends
or a hydraulic ram
or a 60

so i'm doing something free... so what if i only gain 2-4"?
 
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Old 02-01-2009
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i mean i guess if you want. but i just dont see the need in all the work with no reward.
 
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Old 02-01-2009
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Dont do it. It is now worth it. You gain nothing but space lost in your bed. If you were gonna shorten the frame, yea, but you not so no.
 
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Old 02-01-2009
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sooo just dovetail it?
i wanna do something, i've had a few people say they don't think dovetailed trucks don't look right w/o being bobbed..
 
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Old 02-01-2009
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if i was going to do it i would shorten the front half 8" then move the axle forward 8"
 
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I would dovetail it. You can't pop that dent? Like rubber mallet to the back of the bed?
 
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Old 02-01-2009
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Originally Posted by zabeard
if i was going to do it i would shorten the front half 8" then move the axle forward 8"
with what shop/garage? i cant do stuff like that in my driveway in this neighborhood and it really sucks.

besides, i like my wheelbase.. for now
 
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Do the dovetail for now. Then when you get your tow pig and get the long travels then bob the bed.
 
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Old 02-01-2009
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if i dove tail it i can get the long travel shocks, i'll be cutting out the majority of the bed floor..
 
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Why not just leave the bed for now like it is. Then just take it off and truggy the truck?
 
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I'm bored
I want to do something, and im not gonna take the cab/bed off until they're completely beat to hell


the bed is still kinda straight, so why not keep the truck look until the bed sides are destroyed, then flat bed it.. and once the cab is trashed Ill tear it off and turn it into something like this

was a toyota truck, still has part of the frame left lol.. sittin on 42s

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Old 02-01-2009
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dont they make flat beds for the ranger? I see enough of em with utility beds that you would think youd find em
 
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Old 02-01-2009
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Originally Posted by Melt
dont they make flat beds for the ranger? I see enough of em with utility beds that you would think youd find em
It would probably be easier and cheaper just to build one to your own specs. Then you dont have to worry about tire clearences etc
 
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i've never seen a ranger w/ a utility bed?

they make 'em for tacomas, but no one makes squat for rangers.

if my cab/bed are trashed bad enough for a flat bed, everything's coming off and its gonna look like that buggy I posted. I'm not gonna bother doing a cab swap.. you see yoda truggys all the time, whens the last time you saw a ranger truggy??
 
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Old 02-02-2009
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Go for it. Most guys cut out the section then use part of that section to line up the two peices of the bed. I say go for it. The portion of the bed that hangs over the end of the frame gets hung up on stuff. Cut it down and then move your crossmember right next to the shackle hanger.
 
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Old 02-02-2009
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someone agrees.. lol
 
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Old 02-02-2009
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Thats 3 votes for yes and 1 for no.
 

Last edited by 98liftedranger; 02-02-2009 at 06:42 AM.
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Old 02-02-2009
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DO IT!!!!

034x4's

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/...144891&page=12
 

Last edited by seed60; 02-02-2009 at 06:49 AM.
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Old 02-02-2009
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Originally Posted by 98liftedranger
Thats 3 votes for yes and 1 for no.
I am not against it if he gains something from it but he is not.
 

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