My DIY bed cap

Benbean66 · Dec 12, 2023

Hello,

As some of you may have seen, I like to build things, mainly focusing my work around Camping/Overlanding and traveling. I built an overlanding trailer last year and we have used the heck out of it since. Since we typically travel with our dogs, I had put a Softopper on the Jeep, and for as much as I love it, I wanted something a little more secure, ventilated, and usable. I decided to build a top for the Jeep myself, as I honestly couldn't see paying what some companies were/are charging for their tops, and honestly I wanted it to be a do-all type of accessory specifically built to my specs.

I am by no means a professional fabricator, so I am sure there could be better ways of building it, but feel free to ask any questions along the way. I'm about halfway done with it, and hope to have it finished (with the exception of the paint/bed liner on the outside) by the end of the year.

Jeep Gladiator My DIY bed cap 20231202_085433

Jeep Gladiator My DIY bed cap 20231202_152605

Jeep Gladiator My DIY bed cap 20231208_133905

Jeep Gladiator My DIY bed cap 20231209_103842

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CoachA · Dec 12, 2023

You are a badass. Kudos. I look forward to following your progress.

Benbean66 · Dec 12, 2023

CoachA said:
You are a badass. Kudos. I look forward to following your progress.

Ha! Thanks. I'm having a ton of fun building it.

Mikey_89 · Dec 13, 2023

Following this! Wish I had that kind of skill set! Can't wait to see the finished project.

Empty Pockets · Dec 13, 2023

Cool…….just freaking-ass cool.

tysongladiator · Dec 13, 2023

I love DIY. What you got going on looks good so far. Definitely have to keep us updated on the progress.

Tyandpi · Dec 13, 2023

Following!!!!!!!!

HankB · Dec 13, 2023

It looks like aluminum, what are you using for a welding setup? That’s a lot of real estate to TIG.

Benbean66 · Dec 20, 2023

HankB said:
It looks like aluminum, what are you using for a welding setup? That’s a lot of real estate to TIG.

It is 100% aluminum so far, and I am using a Harbor Freight OmniPro 220 with a spool gun.

Benbean66 · Dec 20, 2023

No major updates. We got a "new to us" rescue and he is a handful, so leaving him unattended is not really an option right now, lol! I will hopefully get some more done this weekend.

Jeep Gladiator My DIY bed cap 20231215_104422

HankB · Dec 20, 2023

Benbean66 said:
No major updates. We got a "new to us" rescue and he is a handful, so leaving him unattended is not really an option right now, lol! I will hopefully get some more done this weekend.

Yup, been there done that, and had to replace the couch. He is a good looking boy though. Are you fostering him, or is he now home? Either way, good luck to you on that front. it could be a challenge. We did it many years ago with a greyhound. It was a boat load of work, but well worth it.

So the HF welder outputs AC? I assume you‘re using Argon. i have seen wire guns used before, but they‘ve always been in either an industrial, or ship yard, setting with multiple guns set to a master machine. Basically. a movable welding stand with the gun, wire feeder & spool and a tank. These are then wired into a bank of controls; way beyond what could be done in a DIY setup. The individual work stations look like the little 220 MIG setup I have in the garage for body work.

Free2roam · Dec 20, 2023

I wish I had the garage big enough to do a project like that

Benbean66 · Dec 20, 2023

Free2roam said:
I wish I had the garage big enough to do a project like that

Truth be told, I am garage-less right now. I am renting a bay in my neighbor's barn and I moved this project indoors (I built 90% of it outside) and I'm currently working on it in an old pig pen. Not ideal, but I'm making it work.

Deleted member 57233 · Dec 20, 2023

HankB said:
So the HF welder outputs AC? I assume you‘re using Argon. i have seen wire guns used before, but they‘ve always been in either an industrial, or ship yard, setting with multiple guns set to a master machine. Basically. a movable welding stand with the gun, wire feeder & spool and a tank. These are then wired into a bank of controls; way beyond what could be done in a DIY setup. The individual work stations look like the little 220 MIG setup I have in the garage for body work.

The little multiprocess welders pretty much do it all these days. I picked up the Yeswelder 250 on Amazon for $300 and it does steel, stainless, and aluminum MIG, as well as stick, and you can plug a TIG torch into it and do lift TIG. I've been super impressed with it's performance.

Benbean66 · Dec 20, 2023

STACHES said:
The little multiprocess welders pretty much do it all these days. I picked up the Yeswelder 250 on Amazon for $300 and it does steel, stainless, and aluminum MIG, as well as stick, and you can plug a TIG torch into it and do lift TIG. I've been super impressed with it's performance.

I almost pulled the trigger on a YesWelder before I got my HF unit. I chose the HF because I can exchange it at a store and not have to send it out to get repaired/exchanged.

My DIY bed cap

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