So i decided to start putting some work into the Ranger. now that i am past buying all the boring parts (IAC, TPS EGR Valve OEM Muffler etc...) I knew i needed a tool box but i wanted a low profile and i only have a 6 foot bed, so i made a small one in shop class, and it's 1 ft long.

Im gunna pop rivet the sheet metal on


I got this one for free. I'm goin' to swap the trannys

 

Nice clean truck
Need to change the front bumper tho

 

i suggest using aluminum instead of steel for the sheet metal that way you dont have to worry about scratching the paint off and having it rust... or you could roll some bedliner on it, that would look pretty good IMO.

 

Sweet build up. What are you goign to do for a lid for the box?

 

Thanks, you should see the other side, it's got 3 dents a huge rust hole on the cab corner and scratches all down the side. wut do you mean change the bumper?

I was thinkin of clear coating the whole thing so when i build my tonnea cover i can clear coat that too and give it that WWII pop rivet fighter look, you know?

the same sheet metal i did for the sides, it is going to lay flush with the bed rails and lift up on piano hinges so that you cant see it until you look into the bed

 

i think its going to vibrate like hell for just pop riveting it on and it will be water tight if you weld it too riveting it wont be water tight

 

I didnt think of it vibrating, but i thought about making it water tight. as far as that goes i am just going to water proof the lid and when i make my bed cover, ill water proof that.

 

do you have access to a welder?

 

ya, the shop at school has MIG TIG SMAW OAC and lots more. the only problem is i suck at welding

 

well practice up and use the welder for a couple reasons.

1.The rivets are going to be a pain in the *** to drill and do.

2. Its going to vibrate like crazy

3. it wont be very strong.

4. it wont be water tight

5. pop rivets arent strong and are a pain in the *** lol


Seriously take a day get the welder set up then just got to town i learned to weld in my shop class in high school to started out not knowing a thing about it. and by the end of my first year my teacher had me in there doing demonstrations. i hadn't welded for almost a year till last weekend once i got the welder set i layed some sweet welds on my exhaust. My advice use the welder it will be strong and last much longer.

 

Your truck is really clean.

Like they said above, change the front bumper and it will really shine.

 

ok, well i think ill go ahead and weld the back on tomorrow and see how that turns out. thanks for the advice and ill let you know how it turned out. hopefuly it will be done

 

thanks, ya thats how it looked when i first got it so ill probly take the wire brush to it

 

yep no problem take some close up pics of your welds have someone that is good at welding help you and guide you threw you will be welding other people stuff in no time. i finished 3 peoples project my senior year because my teacher didnt want to see the metal go to waist. lol

 

You could run a foam gasket along the top if you are not comfortable welding.
Or just weld the **** out of it, and grind it all down till it is smooth

 

You could run either a foam gasket or sealer (silicone caulking or something like that) along the edges where it's riveted. That would keep it waterproof, stop the rattle and keep the cool rivet look.

 

buy some bicycle inner tubes and cut them into strips for between the frame and the sheet metal. should help with water and vibration i would think

looks nice though, i wish i had the facilities to build myself a box

 

oh and i love your truck

 

This is a good idea, I was thinking about doing something similar to it myself, except I personally think it would look a lot nicer if you used steel diamond plate (you could also get that mock diamond plate stuff if you're on a budget).

 

Well I started welding the sides on today and now I am having second thoughts. So I think I will finish welding the sides rivet the rest. I also think I will buy that bedliner in a can and do both the bed and toolbox but leave the lid and clear coat it with the bed cover. Im thinkin of doin a project thread on my truck. what do you guys think?

 

why are you thinking again about welding it? what happened?

 

we started on the sides and the metal began to warp, it wasn't too big of a deal but this weekend i did the front and the lid in rivets which were really easy and a lot quicker. today i am going to finish the welds on the sides and grind them down. I bought adheasive weather striping yeasterday for the lid. I should have pics up today after school.

 

If the metal began to warp you had the amperage too high and/or were staying in one spot too long. Tacking it alternating to different areas would have prevented the metal from getting hot enough to warp.

 

change the front bumper. and it would be fresh.

i only wish i had access to a welder.

 

i fogot to tell you to spot weld it first my bad i feel like a dick i should of told you to spot weld it around first then connect the spot welds.