If you're tired of driving your mini around kicking up rocks and mud all over your back window and the rest of your bed, then it's time you took matters into your own hands. For less than $100 in materials you could tub-out the bed of your mini-truck to fit any size wheel you're looking to tuck in a matter of a few hours.
We got with Bobby over at Sadistic Iron Werks to give us the rundown on exactly what it takes to tub the rear of a mini. Since many people opt to keep their bridge work out in the open, we wanted to get a feel of the exact process to completely cover just the wheels using simple trailer tubs. The rest of the sheetmetal filler pieces can be quickly measured and fabbed-up for the fully enclosed look. Just like most simple modifications, this process is fairly straightforward as long as you measure twice and cut once.
Follow along and you could be on your way to a much cleaner-looking bed and an even cleaner back window to boot.
1. The main component used...
1.The main component used is a common trailer fender that you can order from any trailer supply company for less than $25. They work perfectly for tubbin' both the front and rear of any mini-truck.
2. This bed happens to already...
2.This bed happens to already have a spray-in bedliner, but no worries, a few precise blows with the mallet and we're good to go.
3. The rest of the coating...
3.The rest of the coating is stripped away using a wire wheel.
4. Once all of the spot welds...
4.Once all of the spot welds holding the factory tubs in place are apparent, they can be drilled out.
5. For the top of the stock...
5.For the top of the stock tub you'll need to gouge away the lining enough to plasma-cut the rest of the tub away.
6. Here's a look at the tub...
6.Here's a look at the tub completely removed. Bobby removed the stock tubs before he 'bagged the truck, since he knew they had to go already.
7.
8. After the truck was 'bagged,...
8.After the truck was 'bagged, he could now bolt on the wheel and see how far up the tubs would need to go. All necessary measurements were taken to see how much space the tubs would actually need to occupy.
9. Once all the appropriate...
9.Once all the appropriate measurements are taken, you can clean up all the areas that will need to be welded up.
10. Obviously the tubs only...
10.Obviously the tubs only cover the wheels, so filler pieces will need to be made for the rest of the spots.
11. After taking the measurements,...
11.After taking the measurements, it's easy to build templates for the outer surfaces.
12. Trace your template onto...
12.Trace your template onto the sheetmetal and cut it out.
13. To make things as clean...
13.To make things as clean as possible, it's best to use to punch holes spaced along the outside to tack the piece into place.
14. Clamp the filler pieces...
14.Clamp the filler pieces into place and weld the punch holes. Repeat these steps for all necessary filler pieces.
15. Next, grind the welds...
15.Next, grind the welds smooth.
16. Now that all the filler...
16.Now that all the filler pieces are out of the way you can move onto measuring the tub to find out how much you will need to cut.
17. Once you take your measurement,...
17.Once you take your measurement, mark the excess on each side.
18. Cut away the ends of the...
18.Cut away the ends of the tub to center it to your specifications and needs.
19. Next, set the tub into...
19.Next, set the tub into place and mark the area of the bed that will need to be cut.
20. Cut out the sides of the...
20.Cut out the sides of the bed to make room for the tubs.
21. Now you can test-fit the...
21.Now you can test-fit the tubs to make sure that there is enough clearance.
22. Again, clean up the areas...
22.Again, clean up the areas where you will be welding.
23. Tack the tub into place...
23.Tack the tub into place with carefully spaced welds. Go slow and start far apart, then get closer together.
24. Once the tubs and all...
24.Once the tubs and all the filler pieces are tacked in, you can now build your side plate.
25. Trace the inside of the...
25.Trace the inside of the tub and this will give you an exact template for the side plate.
26. Cut out the side plates...
26.Cut out the side plates and then tack them into place. You can tack the outside plate closer together and grind it smooth.
27. After everything is smooth,...
27.After everything is smooth, it's best to seam-seal the tubs so that you can just respray the bedliner and be good to go.
28. If you lay an even, smooth...
28.If you lay an even, smooth coat of seam sealer, this is what your final product will look like. After the bedliner is sprayed you'll have a nice clean bed and no more mess getting kicked up from your tires.