Bed bob . . . it's time!! Supplies??

[Buddha]

That's right kids, it's time to lop 13 inches off my bus.




I have never done body work before, but I sort of have an idea of what I need to complete this.

1. body filler
2. glazing puddy
3. etching primer
4. sanding primer
5. tac cloths
6. matched paint from paint scratch
7. clear coat
8. sand paper, grits????
9. rubbing compound
10. a whole lot of patience and water as it is hotter than

anything else, tips???

Thanks,
Tim

Edit: He are some pics of the cutting

[KStacoma]

If I can recommend something it is to use Rage body filler instead of bondo. I just did mine and used Rage after reading lots of reviews online and it was 100x better then any bondo I've ever used. It is also lightweight,flexible, and easy to sand. Just take your time w/everything. When you weld the bedsides back together weld on the backside (inside) of the bed so the outer edge stays clean. Also if you have any gaps it makes it a pita to weld cause it just burns through too easily. On the body filler do several light coats, not 1 heavy jobber.

[SinisterTaco]

Originally Posted by Buddha

anything else, tips???

A sanding block or two, one large, one small.

A P100 respirator is a damn nice thing to have.

[SinisterTaco]

Originally Posted by KStacoma

If I can recommend something it is to use Rage body filler instead of bondo. I just did mine and used Rage after reading lots of reviews online and it was 100x better then any bondo I've ever used. It is also lightweight,flexible, and easy to sand. Just take your time w/everything. When you weld the bedsides back together weld on the backside (inside) of the bed so the outer edge stays clean. Also if you have any gaps it makes it a pita to weld cause it just burns through too easily. On the body filler do several light coats, not 1 heavy jobber.

If you are talking about glazing putty, that is not to be used in place of body filler, however, as it is designed to go on top of body filler. While it's easy to apply and sand, it's not a replacement.

[KStacoma]

Originally Posted by SinisterTaco

If you are talking about glazing putty, that is not to be used in place of body filler, however, as it is designed to go on top of body filler. While it's easy to apply and sand, it's not a replacement.

I'm talking about "rage" made by evercoat, it is a body filler, not a glazing putty.

[generalee7]

What are you planning on cutting it with, Tim? I used a 4" cut off wheel and had to do VERY minimal grinding to fit the 2 pieces back up. Guess it depends how accurate/comfortable you are with a certain tool.

The whole project didn't take very long at all. You'll enjoy it once it's shorter. These beds are WAY too long stock

[Buddha]

I haven't decided what to cut it with, but the 4 inch cut off wheel will be one of the tools I use. I can't wait. The only part I am nervous about is the body work. Conceptually, I know how its done and have seen how its done. The paint part scares the heck out of me.

tim

[Buddha]

Originally Posted by KStacoma

If I can recommend something it is to use Rage body filler instead of bondo. I just did mine and used Rage after reading lots of reviews online and it was 100x better then any bondo I've ever used. It is also lightweight,flexible, and easy to sand. Just take your time w/everything. When you weld the bedsides back together weld on the backside (inside) of the bed so the outer edge stays clean. Also if you have any gaps it makes it a pita to weld cause it just burns through too easily. On the body filler do several light coats, not 1 heavy jobber.

Thanks for the tip. I just need to find a dealer who sells Rage in my area.

Tim

[Shefron]

Originally Posted by Buddha

I haven't decided what to cut it with, but the 4 inch cut off wheel will be one of the tools I use. I can't wait. The only part I am nervous about is the body work. Conceptually, I know how its done and have seen how its done. The paint part scares the heck out of me.

tim

Check a few of the automotive paint stores. You can pick up paint in rattle cans just bring your vin for the color I think.

[SinisterTaco]

Originally Posted by KStacoma

I'm talking about "rage" made by evercoat, it is a body filler, not a glazing putty.

Just making sure. Got schooled in that in my body repair class and it was beat into our heads that they are not interchangeable.

[KStacoma]

Originally Posted by Shefron

Check a few of the automotive paint stores. You can pick up paint in rattle cans just bring your vin for the color I think.

Careful doing that. That is what I did and here is how close mine matches, you can definately tell a difference where I painted where I bobbed it but it's temporary until I actually get them sprayed:

[jorge espanola]

Originally Posted by Buddha

I haven't decided what to cut it with, but the 4 inch cut off wheel will be one of the tools I use. I can't wait. The only part I am nervous about is the body work. Conceptually, I know how its done and have seen how its done. The paint part scares the heck out of me.

tim

Use a jigsaw for better control and a cleaner cut. Use masking tape as a guide as well as to keep from scratching your good paint. I've done multiple bed bobs and jigsaw is where it's at, just make sure you are using a brand new metal blade--it cuts like butter.

[Buddha]

Thanks Jorge. That is how I trimmed my fenders and it worked great. I will probably have to use a combination of the two for some of the harder to reach places.

Tim

[jester_motorsports]

Originally Posted by KStacoma

Careful doing that. That is what I did and here is how close mine matches, you can definately tell a difference where I painted where I bobbed it but it's temporary until I actually get them sprayed:

Jamie, how the hell did you keep those bodylines so damn straight? I cut 9" out of mine and my body lines didn't match up anywhere near that nice.

[KStacoma]

Originally Posted by jester_motorsports

Jamie, how the hell did you keep those bodylines so damn straight? I cut 9" out of mine and my body lines didn't match up anywhere near that nice.

I don't know, guess I'm pretty much just the shit lol
Honestly though I just was really anal retentive about where I cut the bed material out and making everything perfect before I welded it all back up.

[generalee7]

Looks sweet Tim! Reminds me of something





I think I got my body lines to line up OK. Just takes some time to measure everything out so it's straight really.

[Buddha]

I'll admit that not all of my cuts are as nice as I would like, but I have been spending time grinding, so that everything is square. I am having a heck of a time lining up the lower dimple lines. I guess when you bob 13 inches not everything is going to line up. I will post more pics when I get a chance.

Tim

[heatstroke]

Tim, I didn't think the dimple areas were gonna line up on mine either, but they line up nicely if you take your time seaming it back together. We started the spot welds at the dimples and were able to line the rest up as we went. The sheet metal was alot more forgiving than I anticipated.

[Buddha]

Yeah, they are not lining up that well, but it's okay. I never thought I would be perfect as the bed had been in a accident before, plus body damage from Parker, AZ trip.

Tim

[Mossyrocks]

I wish bobbing a 3rd gen 4runner was this easy. Im scared to even start mine.

[Mossyrocks]

my wheelbase is only 109" though so in reality I could just cut the fenders back and stretch the wheelbase a bit. I like the wheelbase but I hate the departure angle. And I hate the damn chevys, they dont flex worth a damn and they always get hung up.

what is your wheelbase on the ext cab?

[generalee7]

Originally Posted by Mossyrocks

my wheelbase is only 109" though so in reality I could just cut the fenders back and stretch the wheelbase a bit. I like the wheelbase but I hate the departure angle. And I hate the damn chevys, they dont flex worth a damn and they always get hung up.

what is your wheelbase on the ext cab?

I think it's somewhere in the 125" range

[hellbent]

Originally Posted by Mossyrocks

my wheelbase is only 109" though so in reality I could just cut the fenders back and stretch the wheelbase a bit. I like the wheelbase but I hate the departure angle. And I hate the damn chevys, they dont flex worth a damn and they always get hung up.

what is your wheelbase on the ext cab?

Originally Posted by generalee7

I think it's somewhere in the 125" range

I am pretty sure it's 122" According to Edmunds it is 121.9. http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...ticleId=102944

[jester_motorsports]

I think when we measured mine over the weekend it was like 123" or 124"...so yeah, somewhere between 122" and 125".

[Mossyrocks]

that is long. screw bobbing the runner, I think Ill just ditch the chevys and pull the axle back a few inches. Maybe to 111" or 112" at the most.

so where are the pics of the finished bob job?