pass through cab to bed

[FDNYMOPARGUY]

Has anyone built a pass through cab to bed? I'm trying to make a third row seat for an '05 quad cab. The seat would be in the bed. My biggest hurdle to overcome is a weather tight seal between the cab and bed. Anyone seen this done before? I want to keep it somewhat simple. The pass though would only be about 18-24 inches wide, not the whole width of the cab, except for the upper portion where the rear widow is. Any ideas?

 

[JasonBrown]

Check with some high end aftermarket stereo shops. This used to be commonplace in the high end stereo biz about 10 years ago. It was done a lot on S-10s, Rangers, etc... with standard cabs. Installers would cut out the back of the cab and install stereo equipment in the bed. I used to do installations but not at that level. However I have seen many of them.

 

[RACE427]

weather tight seals

The problem with any seal which you install between the cab and bed will destroy the painted surface as it rubs the finish away.

 

[ohnoitsyu]

I used to do many of these, and the procedure varied from job to job. Due to the amount of flex on these trucks, I think the way I would do these is after making the cut on the cab and bed, I'd use a rubber accordian boot that has a pinch-type molding on either side of the boot. The pinch covers the raw edge, and the accordian boot allows the cab and bed to flex independantly while keeping the elements out. This type of seal does not rub the pain, as it is fastened directly to the pinch welds or the cut sheetmetal.



Having said that, I don't think I'd do that to a truck any more. I never really had problems other than sealing an occasional leak, but I'm a bit reluctant to hack up a truck these days. It must be an age thing.

 

[FDNYMOPARGUY]

Thanks for the info. Any idea where I could locate one of these accordion style boots?

 

[Heavyweight]

Similar topic, what about a walk in shell? has anyone put in custom seating in the bed to seat more people? I know you can purchase a walk in style shell, but I would want to add captains chairs. Make it nice to transport more people.

 

[Rosco]

Thanks for the info. Any idea where I could locate one of these accordion style boots?

Check with your local ambulance dealer. The accordian boots are often used on ambulances to connect the cab to the patient module.

 

[Ross]

Try this link

McKinley Sleeper Conversions



Vic McKinley has been doing these sleeper conversions for years. Very professional, and relatively inexpensive. Lots of the guys rodeoing buy them to hold all their hauling buddies. With fuel as expensive as it is, it helps to get 4 other cowboys in the rig to split fuel costs.



Be sure to check out his conversion gallery. He was in Cortez, Colorado but has since moved to Muleshoe, Texas.

 

[ohnoitsyu]

I used to purchase the accordian boot from a local camper shell dealer. It was often used for when both the cab and front camper shell windows are removed.



Another point I should make is that when you cut the lower cross piece out of the camper shell, it loses a lot of its rigidity. For some of the shells this wasn't a problem. Others, I would fiberglass a reinforcement loop into the top of the shell. Also, some bedsides, depending on how close you cut, may also need reinforcement, since the bed front does offer a lot ot strength to the bed sides.

 

[jwduke]

The problem with any seal which you install between the cab and bed will destroy the painted surface as it rubs the finish away.

They make a clear decal, that eliminates that. I did it on my '95 Dodge.

 

[FDNYMOPARGUY]

I know someone in the ambulance business, I'll see what he can do. Also, I'll give McKinley a call. Thanks for all the posts everyone. Anyone else try this?