Process
Since we got the truck our main focus has been to strip it down to the frame so we could start fresh and do some torsion testing.
We started by taking off the cargo door, front panels, and their supports. The cargo door was straightforward as it is designed to be removed easily. The supports mostly required unbolting although some were difficult to access. The front panel was the most challenging as it is directly bolted onto the frame and the bolts were rusted through. We had to drill and punch them out before removing the panel.
We also removed the cargo bed wood panels held by steel rails screwed onto the frame. The screws were so rusted that we had to grind them off before ripping the steel and wood off. We also took off all the anchor points to limit rattling on the road and level the frame which we plan to use as support for our flooring. They are held onto the frame by a pin that you can punch out. Again, most of them had to be ground off because of the rust or lack of accessibility.
Check out our video below if you want to see it in more detail.
We started by taking off the cargo door, front panels, and their supports. The cargo door was straightforward as it is designed to be removed easily. The supports mostly required unbolting although some were difficult to access. The front panel was the most challenging as it is directly bolted onto the frame and the bolts were rusted through. We had to drill and punch them out before removing the panel.
We also removed the cargo bed wood panels held by steel rails screwed onto the frame. The screws were so rusted that we had to grind them off before ripping the steel and wood off. We also took off all the anchor points to limit rattling on the road and level the frame which we plan to use as support for our flooring. They are held onto the frame by a pin that you can punch out. Again, most of them had to be ground off because of the rust or lack of accessibility.
Check out our video below if you want to see it in more detail.