DIY Flatbed Build Part 2: Toolboxes, LED Lights, and the CORRECT Way to do Automotive Wiring
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- Опубліковано 8 вер 2024
- I continue the custom flatbed build for my GMC C3500HD. I fabricate and weld toolboxes and rub rails. I also install LED lights and do the wiring the CORRECT way.
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Flatbed Build Part 1: • DIY Flatbed Build [par...
Build series playlist: • Cummins Swapping a GMC...
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![Building a Bumper for my Homemade Flatbed [Steel Flatbed Part 3]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/QOH8D99zoC4/mqdefault.jpg)
@Waldo's World - 32:40 That contortionist act to weld inside the weather sealing holder strip made me smile. Determination wins out!
Hahaha. The ABCs of welding are Always Be Comfortable. Except for when you *need* to get into an uncomfortable position 😂
@@WaldosWorld be comfortable. Unless it takes to much effort to get the clamps or they get in the way.
I knew i liked ya for more than being a great builder. "Thats what happens when you print a lot of money..."
Exactly, my friend. Exactly
It feels good to know I'm not the only one who understands economics 😬
@@WaldosWorld yea it’s a great idea to keep printing money. That’s why everything is costing us more. If this administration keeps this up our dollars will be worthless…
@@edwardkane3237 I mean... how much of the printed money has this administration been responsible for? I seem to recall a previous administration that loved the idea of printing cheques (as long as he got to put his personal signature on them lmao)
@@dregenius 1 stimulus vs full on welfare for the poor and the big company, same thing really…
@@dregenius Common sense doesn't apply to these guys,. They love to turn everything into a political stance, completely blind to their double standards.
This is freaking insane, litteraly building everything yourself. Great work.
Thanks a ton! 🤠
@@WaldosWorld are you going to paint the bed?
@@dylanhicks7996 he said it at the end
@@lukehaak5907 oh alright, must've missed it
"Exactly approximately" is my new favorite quote. Thank you!
Excellent work! One suggestion: Get a piece of 1/2" round tube, bend it to the radius of your wheel arches, then cut a slit in it and slide it over the wheel arch and weld it on (similar to how your weatherstripping slides on). It will give the wheel arch a finished look, and do away with the "sharp edge".
Anyways, love the videos! I just stumbled across these two flatbed videos....I'm going to subscribe and watch the truck build!
Thank you for the tip and the sub! 👍
This is amongst the most impressive craftsmanship I’ve seen in a long time. Greetings from a fan in Sweden! 👋
Wow, thank you very much! 🤠
FYI: Those lights and pigtails you used to wire them are standard in the trucking industry. Any place that services trucks and trailers will have them in stock. Also most truckstops will have them.
Plus if the truck parts store has it as continuous harness less splicing
I'm impressed that someone finally did a proper wiring job in UA-cam. It seems that only dealership technicians know how to solder and heat shrink an electrical joint.
Yeah, way too many people use those stupid T-tap connectors for wiring. What a nightmare 😂
I was so disgusted when I crawled under my flatbed to check the wiring and looking at all the Scotch Loc connectors when I bought the truck... I just cut everything behind the cab out and started over.
@@dustinmeier9753 The road salts raises hell on unsealed connections (even some of the sealed ones). Some states are now requiring S & HS connections on trailers
You should never weld downhill on anything thicker than 1/4" when using short circuit MIG. The weld might look okay but won't have adequate penetration. For example, those rub rails where you were welding the 3/8" flatbar to the C channel, you should definitely be welding uphill. Love your videos!
Don't forget to set the parking brake and chock the wheels. Nothing worse than having the vehicle roll away downhill whe. You have your mask down
I hate welders
I’m super excited about this build. You’re doing a great job!
Thank you! 🤠
Also I would go with 22.5 low pro truck wheels.
Really nice work, Waldo. I also really appreciate the format of your videos. You speed things up where needed to avoid redundancy and you eliminate redundant footage. The amounts you show in real time are just right. Great work. I know it takes a lot of time to put these vids together, but just know that we appreciate not only great content, but great format. I just subscribed to your channel and liked the vid as well. I also appreciate that you don't beg for likes and subscribes like so many other youtubers. Really well done, sir.
Thank you so much! I appreciate the feedback! 🤠
You should add rubber hole grommets to protect the wires from chaffing and shorting out over the years due to vibration or movement of wires!
I'll put that on the to-do list 👍
I just started watching your videos a week ago. Didn’t know you existed until then. I’ve been binge watching ever since.
I too am excited to see how this truck turns out. You got a killer deal on the chassis but, it be nice to see it built from a Ford. Still a super cool truck with a badass flatbed.
When the truck is finished can you do a build breakdown and cost to build? It's wild how it came out and super curious if its "budget friendly" for the average joe
Sure thing! I was planning on doing that for part 3. If you don't factor in the time it takes to build it, I think it'll be fairly budget friendly
Yeah im curious too. Just showed my wife this and it's helping her see with her eyes what I've been planning on doing for myself instead of buying something. We've been talking about this for years
Just did one similar with wild high steel prices came out to about 3800 total. Sprayed it with raptor
@@WaldosWorld what was the size and gauge of the tubing you used for the bed frame?
Some flush fit tie down points on the top side would be ideal for strapping things to the bed.
Why would he need that when he has stake pockets and rub rails to tie down to
This is cool. First I find a guy with a fresh 7.3 swap series at My Garage. Then a Flatbed series with you. Perfect
Glad you enjoyed it! 👍
Need a link to where and maybe how much to pay for an engine. I found an outstanding F250 7.3 that needs an engine
@@ohiofarmer5918 found my 7.3 on a truck off offerup
This is a fantastic build. Thank you for the many tips and techniques. One thing I would suggest though, and I know this seems counterintuitive as someone who does a lot of electronics work myself; on an automotive, nautical, or aerospace setup you do not typically solder wiring. I understand the corrosion resistance and permanence of the job, but the problem is in an overcurrent situation. Let's say you have a faulty fuse that does not blow, or like in many older vehicles, the lights, which are often unfused (at least the head lights). The wire heats up. Hot enough to melt solder. The connection breaks. I know, you used heat shrink to help reinforce it. But the hot solder melts your heat shrink, and due to vibrations and air flow the now free wire, hot both thermally and electrically, is waving around, touching god knows what, and shutting everything downstream off, which may be essential. This is why vehicles typically rely on high quality crimps instead of solder joints.
I am working on a similar project on a 99 f450 with the 7.3l engine. Currently swapping the engine, adding larger injectors and turbo, etc. in prep for towing an excavator. Your's is already looking a lot nicer than mine will. Nice build!
That's a cool project!
Great series. Learning a lot. Suggestion, when soldering, heat the wire and hold the iron in the same place. Let the wire melt the solder. Once done applying solder, hold the iron on for the count of three to ensure a hot joint.
Finally someone that gets there hands dirty and cloths dirty , no rubber gloves !!! Lol what are people going to say 🤣 You sir do hell of good job filming, editing,working on stuff , and just figuring things out!!! Your channel will only get bigger! I work and build alot of the same stuff except I'm 57 and running out of steam. Enjoy!!!!!
Thank you very much! 🤠
I need to make a weld rig and this is geniuses! Excellent work man .
Thank you! 🤠
Why do I find myself rewatching these videos? Am I addicted? Hello I'm Ches and I'm a waldoaholic.
I think you should do some sort of rubber coating on the inside of the toolboxes so that tools don’t move around as much and aren’t clanking around inside
Good idea! At the very least a rubber mat would be good 👍
looking good. I decided to buy a CM bed RD model for my 98 gmc 3500hd. In the process of gathering material to mount it. Your part 1 video helped. I too had issues with the flat bed frame rails hitting the bolt heads on the double frame of the truck. Saw that you used a 1/2 inch thick nylon block. Going 3/4 inch thick on the very end of the frame to level it out. Thank you for the video it has been helpful. I have been following since day 1 on this build. I own two of these trucks and love them.
Very nice, thanks for watching! 🤠
@@WaldosWorld you should build a heavy duty bumper for it next. The only company that makes a bumper for these is move.
I'm so happy to see part 2!
Cool to see you just building everything most people buy. In the end you will be much happier and proud than people that just buy. Nothing against people who buy just this is exceptional
great work. might want to add a drip edge over the top of the toolbox. just some flat iron on a 45* angle to shed the bed water away from running over the side
Ah, that's a good idea! 👍
@@WaldosWorld we do it on welding beds. then just take some pieces that return back to the bed on a downward taper if that makes sense
I have become obsessed with your videos working on the various vehicles. The insane technical skills, narration and video is inspiring.
Put some grommets in the holes where the electrical wire goes thru the metal , put some split pipe in the wheel well to give it more of a finished look and add a piece of small chain ⛓ from the top of the tool 🔧 box to the door to keep your door from falling. Over all a great design and build 👍
Used to build and work on them alot. Some like 1x2 req tube around the bottom adds style and a surprising ammount of structure if your ever do inclined
Here’s a Great cordless iron for your next wiring project. Truck looks great thank you for the content.
I like that you solder every connection, instead of crimping. But you really should put rubber grommets on all the cable holes. Otherwise the burrs and sharp edges will eat you wire isaolation.
Those connectors are available at heavy duty truck shops. Due to the nature of where we live with the salt, we carry tons of them.
Same with those Baldwin filters you used on the lift pump.
When I started farming I quickly learned there were a few things you can not farm without: a welder, a large air compressor, cutting torches and a 4-wheel drive truck! Enjoyed your videos.
You didn’t have these things when you started farming?
I’m gonna come back to this video a thousand times
Just a suggestion but you may want some inner fender wells to keep mud, dirt, and salt out of the inside of your truck bed and off the tops of your tool boxes.
That's a good idea, I'll have to think about the best way to do it 👍
@28:13, I knew I liked this guy. Anyone who has a Vizsla (essentially a Hungarian version of a German Shorthaired Pointer) has to be cool as hell!
When you stuck your head into the box to weld the inside seam brought me back to the days when I had to do that daily. I still weld just not having to stick my head into anything anymore.
Found this channel on the last video, I love the style of the videos
Thanks, glad to hear it!
Great job on the bed! I suggest polishing the inside of the holes for the wiring before painting. The rough edges left by the hole saw will eventually chaff the wiring insulation.
Many years ago, I purchased a smaller 150 cf gas cylinder for MIG welding because I did not want to pay the annual lease fee for the 300 cf cylinder. I retired earlier this year and weld much, much more frequently. I now lease a 300 cf cylinder for 75/25. The cost of filling a 300 cf cylinder is much less expensive per cf than a 125 or 150 cf cylinder. The lease fees (~$100/yr) are more than offset by the savings on gas.
Thank you! Yeah, I'll probably install some grommets. Thanks for the info on the larger bottles. I've never actually looked into getting a bigger bottle 👍
Couldn't clip fast enough. Another amazing video. Awesome job my man.
Thank you for the support! 👍
That flat bed will be around a lot longer than the truck!!
Hopefully they'll both be around for a long time! 😬
At least when the frame rusts away the bed will take the load.
I really like your videos. I am 16 and in welding school and have my own lawn care business. I would love to have this truck. It is so awesome. Great work
That's awesome! You have some great work ethic 👍
Am back here 3 months later looking at this masterpiece still gets me tingly ! 😎❤️
Waldo subscribed recently seen most of ur videos already and I can tell u that u definitely have a gold mine of a channel this channel is going to grow like crazy.
Wow, thank you so much for the sub and the words of encouragement!
Nice series, enjoying many of your videos. Just an observation / suggestion for the flatbed toolbox, perhaps add a plastic covered steel line to the sides that engage just before full open of the toolbox door. This would take stress of the hinge increasing service life, and also provide a mobile fold down work bench for small to medium weight objects, tools, hardware, beers, and such.
Waldo, you are one hell of a fabricator. There bed builders that could take lessons from you. I have a 1978 f350 Ford with the 10 ft grain bed on it. The floor is already metal because it spent most of its life as a roofing contractors truck. I have struggled with the anchor locations for the marker light wiring in the bed for ages. Your loops welded on are sweet. A local shop is gonna make some green off of me for that idea. As always, I look forward to your vids and progress.
Thanks, Bill! If you bring it by, I'll slap some on for you 👍
Buddy, if you were closer, Id take you up on that!
I just subscribed after a day of LOOKING at your VIDz!
I invested MY TIME to learn how to make GREAT METAL WORKS and UNDERSTAND better how to restore old CARS!
I specially LIKED the EXCAVATOR vid, you give me RIGHT at ALL FRONTS, cheap, nobody likes them, SNOB PEOPLE, diesel rulez, GERMAN quality, and BIG STUFF for CHEAP ;)
GREAT VIDZ DUDE! ;)
P.S. I just LOGGED in to subscribe and LIKE, I did not use to do that USUALLY :)
If you need the plugs or lights or anything straps and such you can buy all that at fleet pride they are a semi truck parts store.
A , Friend Told Me " If , You Want To Stop The Warp As You Are Welding Use An Old Towel Or Two , Get Them Wet And Lay On The Side Or On Top Of What You Are Welding , This Keeps It From Warping" He , Has Been Welding For Around 50 Years ..Keep , Going Waldo Like Your Ideas..
That's an interesting idea! 👍
For your lights and wiring check any and all truck stops trailer repair shops great job on the bed might think about boxing the headache lights in to keep water and weather off the plugs
cool production on this with the in the fender toolbox instruction cuts, good idea
you sneaky clever fella :-D a quick mini side bar about what printing a bunch of money does.. i love it Waldo!
nobody would hate on you for giving some insight about monetary function, for it is a big thing missing in our society
Don’t even need to be into this sort of stuff to be hooked on watching these videos. Keep em’ coming Waldo! Thanks
Everytime I watch your stuff I want to go learn how to weld haha eventually I'll get around to it I promise!
Absolutely love this Truck and your videos!..
Thank you!
Man it took this long to find Waldo… and he’s building a flat bed…. I guess the 10 year search was worth…
Glad to hear it was worth it 😂
Waldo look into putting a gmc center console. Like a 07 has a decent size center console and you can still fit the shifter. If you are looking for one of course.
I mounted the spare tire over the cab with wind age trays on the front and side of it. I wanted to keep the headache availble for tie off of tall items..
I highly recommend some of the strobes n more branded flood lights for work/backup lights even the smallest size are like $15 a piece and super bright at night! Totally worth it I put them on all my trailers/trucks
Thanks for the recommendation! 👍
@@WaldosWorld www.strobesnmore.com/SNM-X600-Floodlight.html and they have 2 sizes bigger if needed.
Hope someone contacts you to make there truck beds too so the videos won’t stop .
Absolutely Amazing Craftsmanship!
I do not have a truck nor a welding skill but I find this entertaining. Hello from the Philippines.
Hello! Thanks for watching!
Love the build. I think I would’ve just used four in expensive trailer jacks on each corner. That way you can wheel it around, in addition to simply reason to better up with the side jacks.
Love the use of the 7 way for wiring. Awesome way to make it more easily removable!
I saw you loaded cement on this truck in a another vid. It would be cool to see you add air-bags for leveling out this truck. I can imagine some great fabrication and welding for such a project. great videos, thanks!!
One suggestion, your wheel arcs weld piece of flat steel following them .
Good idea! 👍
@@WaldosWorld Another idea would be to put round tube around the wheel wells. If you take some tube and use a couple of angle grinder blades to cut a channel and conform them around the radius of the arc, that would look great! Keep up the good work!!!!
If you haven't gotten it galvanized yet, adding a utility light on the inside top of the tool box might be a worthwhile upgrade. Digging in a tool box by flashlight sucks.
Yeah, that's a great idea. I think I'll probably do that 👍
First Time viewer here, great video. My only suggestion for improvement is:
You should put a triangle brace on your bed legs so that the load distribution is more towards the normal force line and not all hanging on the "L" that you made to clear the tires. It will support your "L" weld and make the legs much stronger.
This design is very nice when i get my truck i am going to copy this design for my truck.
Thank you!
My man has to rename this channel Weld'o. Impressive and fascinating stuff haha!
I'm so excited to see that bed finished. What a transformation this truck has undergone. Excellent work on everything!
Thank you so much! 🤠
WHAT?!?!? Printing money?!?!? Its all computer entries in an electronic ledger. They've taken "Fiat currency" to a whole new level.
Awesome vid.
That's very true 😂
Very interesting sir , I appreciate the home made stuff gives a guy sense of achievement thanks bud
Exactly approximately! Well, only you the builder will ever know if something is off by 1/8th". Nice build
* rebuilds entire truck*
We have been trying to reach you about your vehicles extended warranty
Hahaha 🤣
Good to see a welder who can weld nice beads.
Very nice bed , I like that you didn't make the sides too low like most factory built flat beds . Great video as are all of your videos . Cool to see your an ' ASE Certified GM Technician ' , that helps explain such a Great Truck build .
Thank you! It's actually a "UA-cam Certified Diesel Technician" patch 😂
@@WaldosWorld Well I guess I didn't pay attention ( just like the 6 years I was in the 6th grade ? ) . I saw the GM patch and your ' UA-cam Certified Diesel Technician ' patch is real crafty to resemble an ASE patch . Anyway really Cool shirt . Been following the truck build and your details and explanations are really great . Very nice truck young man . We need more young people like you to get interested in what you would probably call the older trucks , older trucks to me being 72 is the 50s and 60s . Keep the video's coming . What's next after this truck ? Thank's Waldo .
Another fine piece of work! Yours is the only channel I keep on top of for new content. So great to see Billy-Bob coming along like this! 👍🏼
Thank you so much, that's great to hear! I'll be driving him in no time 🤠
My new favorite channel! Nice work Waldo! I’m eager to see what you haul home on that bed (and trailer)
Good work
Instead of adding a top to the box and wasting space. Just use the deck of the bed. It will give you an inch of space. Also the option of having a top opening box.
You had me at hot dip galvanized
Man, this truck is turning out even better than I thought it would. Keep them coming Waldo.
Thanks, glad to hear it!
I would maybe suggest behind the toolbox latches and the door hinges that you put some silicone/caulking to prevent leaks and sitting water to prevent rusting and what not.
I am really interested in seeing the hot dip process. Your explanations are very clearly articulated. A rarity on UA-cam. Well done.
Thank you so much! 👍
for the jacks to rmv/install the bed, you could have just modified 4 top screw trailer jack, with a "U" at the bottom of the jack tube (round or square style) to grab the bottom of the bed (no drilling of welding into the bed) and the body of the jack will push/rest against the bed skirting and rub rail, rmv the handle, weld a nut in place of the handle to use a socket. then kick out the legs just enough to clear outer wheel, and your done.
also, using flat far and clamps for supporting things to be suspended (rub rail flat bar, esp on your trailer build, or the top rail of the headache rack) works a whole lot better than some of the ways iv seen you support items.
This was exactly what I was looking for while searching DIY Flatbeds! Awesome craftsmanship!
I really enjoy your videos.
28:12 Aspen is the backbone of this channel.
getting in that tool box to weld was nothing short of a pretzel in motion. hot dip galvanized is going to be interesting.
Hahaha I did feel like a bit of a pretzel 😂
Hey Waldo, good to see the continuation of this build. I have been ill and had to spend a little time in hospital. Nothing major, just like an old truck that need to needs to go to the repair shop once in a while. Your welding skills are getting really good from when you started, I guess there is truth to the practice makes perfect saying . Great work Waldo 🌵 Give Aspen and extra treat for me and my buddy Otis the dachshund !
Oh no! I'm glad to hear that you're okay! Thanks, Scott, it's good to hear from you! 👍
Use Agri Guard to paint that deck and it will stand up to corrosion and about anything else beautifully. It can be painted over if done within 8 hours.Get the gray color to stand up to sunlight
I've learned so much from you Waldo thank you
Nice! You did a great job on that. The truck looks amazing now.
Thank you! 🤠
It looks amazing!
Thank you!
everytime I see a custom built rig, I shudder at the idea someone might crash into it. When the bed is this solid, I imagine you won't be worried about that.
such a nice build, well done :)
Thank you so much! With all the time I've put into this, it would be a shame if it were totaled in an accident! 😂
Just found your channel, that turned into a damn slick truck man, I have had several of those 3500HD's over the years, I quite like what you have done with this one.
Waiting to see the part #3 I love the way everything is looking so far 👍👍👍
Thank you! 👍