Toyota Dovetail

[mnmstoy]

After starting off my vacation in a bind. Low on cash due to the cheby not running well.
I went ahead and started on my rear dove tail. Today, I manage to get the bed off. I only broke one bolt (the first one) out of six.
I am thinking about bringing it in about 9" or so per side at the tail lights. Not to extreme. It's my D.D. and still trying to keep it street legal.
so for today just two pics. More to come later on in the week.
Well, I have to finish it before Monday.



plan to work upside down. Seems better to measure and cut. Not to mention keeping everything level.


Here is a link to "Dove tailing" the front of my Rig.
http://www.texas4x4.org/showthread.php?t=12577
Mike

[Rastus]

Gonna look good when done Mike

[mnmstoy]

Originally Posted by Rastus

Gonna look good when done Mike

Thanks Kenny,
Got the easy side off first...you know test the water.D.S.

Now the P.S.
the hard part was cutting around the filler neck/Gas door.

I then ran out of cigs and wrapped things up for today. Taking a break.
Have to burn one. see what else I can do before the Old Lady comes home.
I put the bed back on to see how far in I can get to the bed mounts.
hahah looking at the pic...I found my hat.

[mnmstoy]

Just to put this out their. Is it okay to weld(mig) in wet conditions? I don't want to kill myself. Seems the forcast calls for rain all week long. That sucks big times.
Mike

[fishy1]

thats gonna be cool. I loved mine when it was dovetailed. it sure keeps the rear out of harms way (trees). But i did manage to barrel roll mine and crunch it.
are you gonna keep the stock taillights?

heres a pic of mine. Yours is gonna be alot nicer. I cut out must of the bed and just kept the fenders.
http://community.webshots.com/photo/...53974798tKdXio

keep up the pace and get it done! I welded in the rain all the time, but its not the best idea ever. Dont want ya to end up dead.

[mnmstoy]

Taillights is a must. I know it wont look factory. But, it's my D.D. and trying to keep with "wheeling on the cheap." Mine won't be as extreme as yours. But I plan to channel the tailgate. Well to cut out the TOYOTA logo..then channel it at place it back on. No Body filler will be used. Just cut grind weld and paint.
I just completed cutting the P.S. bed.(the angle part) Looks okay. I might have to break out the calking after the welds. That sawsall blade walks to much.
Mike
will post pics after lunch.

[dott]

Originally Posted by mnmstoy

That sawsall blade walks to much.

Have you tried the thin cutoff wheels on your angle grinder. Works great.

[mnmstoy]

Dott that is what I used when I bobbed the bed. I didn't like it to much. Today I had a hard time because the goggles keep fogging up.I did use the cut of wheel around the filler neck/gas door.
Well, today after lunch I manage to cut more on the bed of the truck. I left the bed on the truck. Man, that helped out alot. Didn't have to be hunched over all day. I did bolt the bed down so it wouldn't move on me.
On with the pics.
Here is a before the cut.

Next is how I used a peace of wood to get my angle, using a test light pint the scrib my line to cut.

Then the cut. no close up as I hang my head in shame.

will cuntinue on next post.
Mike

[mnmstoy]

Here is the D.S. cut.

Here are the blades I went thru. Not pictured is the grinder with a cut off wheel for around the fillerneck/gas door.

That is all for today. Tomorrow, I plan to get the side skins welded on. I still have some cutting and fitting to do. But, that is the plan.
weather permitting that is.
Mike
All comments or ideas are welcomed...althought I am shooting from the hip.

O yea and along the way.
And here is the bolts I bought to hold down the bed.

[Bruiser]

Looks real nice so far!

[mnmstoy]

Originally Posted by Bruiser

Looks real nice so far!

Thanks Bruiser. I hope I get a chance to finish it up tomorrow....or close to it. Aside from my Nova back in my early twentys. THis has been by far the most mods I have done.
I hope it doesn't rain tomorrow.
Mike
My family think I am crazy. I just hope the cuts are straight enough to get a good weld. I'm no ... As long has the sides don't fall off while driving I'll be okay.

[fishy1]

looks good to me! practice weldin on some of the yota scrap sheetmetal. Its like welding lead. LOL. shouldnt be too bad when ya get the heat right.

cool to see another rig gettin the saw-job. LOFL

[mnmstoy]

Thanks fishy1, I'm not found of cutting up a nice truck. My yota has some rust on the cab and bed. Guess, some rock rash. The only thing that looks okay is the P.S. door. And I only paid $700 for it. IF it was cherry. I think I would of kept it that way. I hate seeing nice old cars and trucks meet their end. I'm afraid this toyota wont last long if I dont address the rust on top of the cab by the windshield. Nothing major but it's thier.
Mike

[BOWTIE]

looks great!

[kling-on]

lookin good keep the pics comin

[mnmstoy]

Thanks guys. If I had a inclosed Garage. I might still be at it.
I'm thinking in April....I want to do the front. Depending on the outcome of the rear.
Just alot of junk bolted to the inner fender wells that need to be relocated for the front.
Bowtie, your rig inspired me to think of dovetailing the front. I did some research for the rear. Just nothing for the front on a toyota. I think the hardest part would be the radiator support. Have to move the buckets for the headlights inword. Their really isn't that much room. I saw a yota truck with two headlights the other day. I don't know the year. But I was wondering if that might work. Just cut off the outside headlight and keeping the inword one. Or channel it down the middle...maybe open up the front so the radiator has good air flow. Just have to fab up some mounts for the rad. and front chassis support.
Half doors two...just need to find some that are half way desent. Just day dreaming now.
Mike

[mnmstoy]

Okay got more done today. I manage to get both sides on plus the rear lower valance.
On with the pics.
Here is the driver side getting ready for welding.

Here are some spot welds. It sucks working alone.

Here is a front side shot.

Here is the P.S. side.

I had to cut the rear valance. After bring in the sides it made the bed about a half in shorter.

Another rear shot. all cleaned up.

Due to day light. That is all for today. I did get the valance on and painted. I still have some welds to finish up in the bed. Two problems are the side marker lights need to be patched and relocated due to the chassis getting in the way. And the gas filler neck needs to get shorten some.
Here is a before shot.

and after not finshed.

Tomorrow weather permitting. I want to finish up the welds and start on the tailgate. I have just enough room for the TOYOTA logo to fit. I have about 33 inches across the rear.
Mike

[Bruiser]

You have done an AWESOME JOB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[fishy1]

THAT IS BADASS!
you did a great job. gonna be real cool when the gates done.

[BOWTIE]

man that's coming out pretty sweet.

[Rastus]

Good work Mike

[dott]

Now that's what an offroaders arse should look like! Good job.

[mnmstoy]

Here is the part on the side marker light and shackle clearance. In the rough.

Thanks to all. Keep the comments coming.
That is fuel to keep going!!!!
I really liked the way it came out. I will post a pic tomorrow of the lights installed. Still have to mess with the filler neck on the gas tank.
As for the tailgate. After some thought. I think I will make two cuts. One on each side. I think that would be the better way. AS I wouldn't have to mess with the hinges and cutting out the TOYOTA logo.
My only friend was my black marker. O yea. my leather Gloves. Had a close call as I was getting tired and well. I put my other and in front of the grinder. Don't ask why. Scared the bejesus out of me.
After two days of work and for getting to eat. A nice shower feels great. I'm ready to hit it again tomorrow.
Mike

[JDKing]

WOW, that looks great!!

[mnmstoy]

Finally got the bed done. I finished up the gas filler neck. That was hard cutting the rubber hose and then having to fit the neck back on. My solutions was using pams no stick spray on the inside of the hose. And then using the end of a fence post that looks like ^ to push the hose on to. TO widen the end up.
I still haven't relocated the side marker lights. And same with the tailgate. Depending how it goes this weekend I might get some time in.
My hats off to anyone that does this for a living. I am beat.
On with the pics.
Here is the lower valance put back on.

Here is a side shot of the shackle

My jacked up welds.



Here is a chain welded to the bed to lock up my spare 33.

Here is the finished bed with spare.

And my sidekick that rides shootgun outside front and center given to me by my Nephew Ethan.

That is all for now. The old lady is coming home late so maybe I can work a hour on the tailgate.
Happy Trails,
Mike