Revisit bobbing the bed

[ColHart]

After watching the 2006 FE video.... several times now, I can't help but think bobbing the bed is probably a good idea. I read through Hammer's thread and thought that was a bit extreme.

It bothered me to watch the winch bumpers and rear bumpers of a couple trucks get grounded, while the modified trucks looked great and had no trouble.

I'm swapping axles and drive tranes to give me a better road truck with the intension of using it to haul big loads, pull a trailer, and get out on the trails and have fun. I don't have the experience in this truck or on these trails, so I need help from you seven-one-fivers.

Maybe Pabst, 40Grit, SoCal have an idea as to the trails here on the West coast and into Moab country demand increasing entrance and exit clearance. If they do, I will save my bed for my future stock version and find a rotted one to hack up.

[Barrman]

Aren't you doing a spring over? That will add a corresponding increase in bumper clearance and I would imagine just guessing at least 5-10 degrees in approach/departure angle.

I don't think the video showed it, but the rock face that both Doug and Joe had to tow me off of bent my front pipe bumper the first time I tried approaching it. I now have a stock type bumper which is where it is supposed to be instead of sticking out an extra 10 inches.

Matter of fact, all the bumpers that hit were non stock ones. Will with his Road Warrior tube bumper, Joe with his custom electric winch bumper and me with drill pipe.

[Calpyro]

I just went and measured the approach and departure angles of my truck. Now mine has a spring-over lift, front winch and 1100R16 tires. It measured to be: 45 degree approach and 38 degree departure. I estimated that the departure would be between 55-60 degrees if I it was cut 6" behind the rear springs.
As a comparison, my M37 stock, WOW sitting on NDT's was 45 degree approach and 35 degree departure.
Hope it helps.

[brute4c]

The stock truck is listed at 45 degrees approach and 25 degrees departure angle...without winch of course.

[LuckyPabst]

Hey man, stop in for a beer and look over my bob-job. I went 17" which is about as short as you can get before interfering with the shackle if you keep the taillight outriggers.

Um, I got tired of wiping off the bigger M151 (or whatever) style taillights and it's kinda annoying to drag the rear end on stuff - that's what prompted the bob. It was pretty simple, taking about a day and a half, start to finish - a little longer if you do the body work to make the side seams disappear. I was able to splice the bed floor just right so there's no seam going across at that point and it looks nicer that way.

My problem now is that I'm looking to a spring swap and I don't have much room to grow toward the rear. I may be limited to the 56" GM type. Gonna see today what the Trona J-yards have hidden.

Chris

[ColHart]

My problem now is that I'm looking to a spring swap and I don't have much room to grow toward the rear. I may be limited to the 56" GM type. Gonna see today what the Trona J-yards have hidden.

Chris

Hey, I expect a report on the Trona J-yards. I'm looking for a tailgate and doors that I can cut up like Tims. I also could use a power steering box.