Curtis...I think you're delaying on this whole process. You're scared that we're going to see your terrible fabricating skills and rag on your for it lol.
But in all seriousness, go with the rough and rugged bed liner look. That way when you get rid of that thing you like to call a grille then you'll have a rugged looking truck. Not to mention that supposed brush guard that should be coming any day now (right?)

 

Stuff this in your Canadian pancake batter and smoke it!


i know it's a bit rough on the eyes, but this was last night after letting the caulk get tacky prior to smoothing it out and ensuring a proper seal.



Here is my truck stripped down and dirty. This was durring the fitting phase to ensure the bends lined up correctly. Tonight I hope to prep the metal and get all of my supplies set out. Tomorrow is an early day (marriage counseling/Parent/teacher conferences for a 12 o'clock day! Me = FTW!) so i SHOULD be able to get this thing bedlined.... *crosses fingers*

What are you talking about? my "supposed" brush guard was in the pictures you asked for, and my "alledged" safari rack was picked up 2 weeks early and is sitting in the garage waiting for me to assemble and wire in lights.

Almost exhonerated.... it's going to be sweet....

 

Looking good. I'm looking forward to seeing this mounted up!

 

what the hell is that supposed to be?...........looks like the rear entry door to an APT!

 

i got the bug.... i did my metal prep, pulled the bed liner out and am ready to go... its 8:30 and the kids are bed-ready.... 1 hour to dry between coats.... F IT! I'll be back in a bit....

 

well..it's been an hour Curtis..............oh yeah, you said it was 8:30 when you posted? i didn't realize Oregon was 3 hours behind.

 

Here is a link to the album thus far Clicky

Here is where the last bit left off, metal prep:

For the prep phase i took my plate and scuffed it down with a green scuff pad. after getting it mostly free of debris, I took a dremel with a steel brush to it to ensure a good deep surface for the bedline to stick to. then all was wiped clean with acetone and left to dry.

at this point, i learned the real reason why they say not to try to save left over bed liner. not because it cures like they said (had since june) but because it seal the lid. not like paint. This Sh*t SEALS! i ended up smashing the lid with a sledge until it caved enough to hammer a small pry bar under the lip and tear the lid open. the can is screwed now, no going back.

With my gloves on and news paper laid out, i slopped on the undercoat after mixing it up. it's very heavy with texture. i don't think i mixed it often enough when i did the floor of my truck... anyway....

there she is bed lined up. now since i crafted this monster i can see ALL the faults in it. I'm sure you can too as a profession, Chris. As for anyone else looking at this, it's not tough to see that i have never really fabbed anything before.... this was a larger project that it looks on paper (for me anyway). grab something, cut it, bend it, paint it, mount it. too easy right....

I will let it cure tonight and check it tomorrow after work. i will get her mounted tomorrow and let it cure one more day in the air before driving her around. Skid plate... just in time for a thanksgiving holiday! Maybe I should go ruin all this work...

after much dragging out... there it is for your viewing pleasure. there is still some edging to do, and i might under coat it or spray it matte black to cut the shine but we will see. i will not fix it (much) but would like honest feed back. if it's crap you wouldn't run over with your truck, tell me. if you like it, i'll take that too. just be honest please.

 

lol. I forgot about those albums. It's been so long that we've been waiting for stuff to happen my memory failed me....

It looks good undercoated though. It is a bit rough, but I all honesty I wouldn't have done much better. Now get it mounted on the truck and post pics!!

 

Looks good, I may make one of these out of diamond plate.

 

if you do it, I would suggest: proper tools, a proper work space, some understanding of WTF you intend to do, and 1/4" diamond. Learn from my mistakes! also dont bother with the access panel. its a weak point and you can just drop 4 bolts to get the whole plate off anyway. it's an excuse to clean the inside that way.
a whole plate, start to finish should take a real person 6 hours or less honestly. thats from "i think i want a skid plate - through - well time for the paint to dry"
Also Alex, it's not a bit rough.... it's rough as sh*t! it looks like total ***! after all this build up! :icon_lauh: what ever, it's still going under my truck. I've gone too far to stop sucking at Blazer projects now