818 gets brand new racks/troop seats

[MyothersanM1]

I received my freight shipment of a Duece bed front rack, headache racks and troop seats from Stephan Wood Products truck and trailer parts aftermarket accessories via Roadway (YRC) back on 09-14.

I opted to have them shipped disassembled to save a little on freight charges. Glad I did because I think it eliminated any shipping damage. Everyhting arrived safe and sound with nothing broken, bent or missing.

The head rack slats were packaged in a group of six boards (the two short slats counted as one) wrapped in a heavy-duty cardboard, steel banded and taped.

The troop seats and headache racks slats were packed the same way, but in groups of three slats. So five bundles of slats in all.

There was one pallet (174lbs). It consisted of all the steel uprights (individually boxed), troop seat hinge plates, brackets and cantilever supports, troop seating (stowed) pocking plates and one heavy @$$ bag of hardware (and, yes, every NBW was in there...no more and no less).

Total shipped weight per waybill was 356lbs.

A government spec. drawing of each component was included with hand written instructions on which bolt sizes went where. It made it a lot easier to sort out all the hardware.

I sat on the couch one evening and sorted the hardware by component into heavy zip-loc bags. That made it a lot easier on assembly day(s).

TO BE CONTINUED....

 

[MyothersanM1]

My Truck has a bobbed Deuce bed, so I would have cut and re-drill twelve slats on the rear of the headache racks and troop seats. This would involve actually fitting everything on the truck to ensure a nice fit. So I decided to tackle the easiest first; the head rack.

I laid out all the slats on my sawhorses and “dry” fitted all bolts and nuts with the up-rights and outer brackets. That was assembly day one. BTW: the two front uprights have wooden inserts to add rigidity and to keep the steel from crushing down when the bolts are tightened.

On day two, I aligned the slats and up-rights with a carpenter’s square to ensure all was straight before tightening everything up. I clamped the up-rights to keep everything straight. Using an air ratchet and a ½” socket, all nuts were tightened up. Head rack was done.

I have salvaged a set of cargo cover stave/corner bracket holders from an M813 head rack. They had a little more rust on them than I was comfortable with, so, they are at the sandblaster as of this writing. They will be re-primed and painted 686 Sand.

TO BE CONTINUED…

 

[WillWagner]

Looks good! Can't wait to see the sides on it.

 

[MyothersanM1]

Looks good! Can't wait to see the sides on it.

Thanks, Will! I got to meter this stuff out. Sleep and lack of free time have this notorious way of hindering the fun things. I'm sure you can relate.

 

[MyothersanM1]

On day three, last Sunday, I got the bulk of the construction done. Spencer helped me out. I brought the truck home and installed the headrack and front headache rack corner posts as shown in my last posting. That gave me a solid starting point.


I installed all the steel upright posts in their proper holes. The top and bottom headache rack slats were “dry” fitted with a single bolt at either end to get accurate measurements for cutting and re-drilling of all mounting holes. Clamps were used to steady the slats at the “cut” ends. I marked the cut lines with a carpenter’s square and “Sharpie” and pre-drilled all new mounting holes.

Off came the slats and down to the trusty DeWalt miter saw. Four quick easy cuts and there you have it; bobbed headache rack slats. Note: these are fiberglass so be prepared to protect yourself form the fibers. Can you say itchy and scratchy…

I refitted the slats loosely with all associated hardware. Using the air ratchet and ½” socket all nuts and bolts were snugged down. Sorry that one bed pic. came out blurry. Must be operator headspace.

Starting with the hinge plates, I began troop seat installation. These were a tad bit more difficult to install and modify due to additional steel hardware and the two different lengths of slats. I did the full bed length inner and outer slats first, pretty much the way I did the headache rack slats using the “dry” fit method. The stowed retainer plates were installed in anticipation of troop seat construction.

The inner slats came next. I stowed the assembled seats in the vertical position and slid the inner slats in from the rear. I made my cutting marks and pre-drilled all new mounting holes. Once again back to the trusty DeWalt for some more itchy, scratchy time.

All slats were loosely fitted to the steel hinges and channel brackets with all nuts and bolts. The support legs were loosely attached with their associated hardware. Then I heard my wife calling me, “Are you done yet?” That was it for day three.

TO BE CONTINUED…

 

[MyothersanM1]

The following day, Monday, day four, I tightened everything down using the ½” drill and ½” socket. The bolts for the support legs require a 9/16” wrench. I tightened those with a hand wrench until snug and back off the nut a little for free swing of the support. I tested out the seats moving them from stowed to deployed and sitting on them.

I then stood back and admired my hard work and my truck’s new look.

I should have the headrack stave holders back by the end of the week. I’ll paint those up and get them installed with new hardware hopefully soon. My wife can stand so many “army truck projects” in a single week.

A note about the manufacturer: Stephan Wood Products is an outstanding outfit to do business with. It makes me proud that in our uncertain times there are still fine small businesses alive and well in the United States of America. They delivered a quality product that was shipped fast with no damage and provided top-notch customer service to back that product. My hat is off to Frank and Jim at SWP. I highly recommend this company if you in the market for new bed and cargo cover accessories.

 

[WillWagner]

Gives it a whole new look!

 

[MyothersanM1]

Gives it a whole new look!

To put it all in perspective...

Before and After...

 

[hippiedude]

That is a sweet looking truck ......... ........... Tim

 

[Heavysteven]

what a good looking truck

 

[bulldog_mack13]

Brian , I didnt know you opted for a cut down Duece bed, why did you do that rather just a stock one? Just curious, I may follow your lead very soon. Im sure I know why though. Also anyone have one with a cargo cover on theirs? - Jay

 

[MyothersanM1]

Brian , I didnt know you opted for a cut down Duece bed, why did you do that rather just a stock one? Just curious, I may follow your lead very soon. Im sure I know why though. Also anyone have one with a cargo cover on theirs? - Jay

I almost bought a an 813 early on, but I had to take into account that where I live we don't have a lot of wide open space and traffic can get treacherous to say the least. Also storage space is at a premium ($$$). The 818 performs well in these areas.

I liked the look and short wheelbase of the 817 but really didn't want the extra maintenance of the hydraulic system. I saw that Dave at Eastern was putting deuce beds on 818's and I thought that was really cool and I wanted one. I had Dave bob my bed down so I could retain the spare tire rack/tool box behind the cab without a huge hangover on the rear.

I almost bought a NIB tan deuce cargo cover off of eBay a short while ago. My brother works for a company that sets up those large fancy parties. They provide the large tents you see so often at these events. I believe they have an industrial strength sewing shop to mend these tents. So I will try and enlist his help in altering a cargo cover when I finally get one.

Thanks guys for all the compliments.

 

[bratpackdad]

Thanks I needed your info to do mine