Building a short bed welding skid

[@cg8469]

I think you've got more talent in your pinky than I do in total. I've fabricated more than a couple custom bed rigs though, and one of my requirements I give to all clients is they have to pay me to build maintenance access on their weld machines. If your living is based around your power plant being functional, you need to take care of it. Every weld machine I've installed is almost always shoved up near a wall or bulkhead which means you can't access the oil drain or battery terminals. I either attach low voltage quick connects (like solar style prongs) or permanently wire in another battery to the truck system. Also, drill a couple holes + grommets and drop an oil drain hose underneath the bed, usually somewhere near the driveline. The Miller units typically have that push/twist oil drain system, so you should be able to put a bucket on the ground and then open up drain. Also, I typically rivet or rivnut all the tools necessary to complete maintenance inside of the weld unit. Obviously if you have daily access to a forklift this doesn't really matter. For a lot of guys though, they often need to do this in a parking lot or in their driveway at home. Love your channel man, you're an inspiration, keep posting.

[@larryvollmar8763]

Great video as always! I did find out the hard way pakouts aren’t rain proof. Mine were full of water driving to a job up state in downpour. 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@dannoth5433]

You are killing it !!!! That is an awesome job laying out your rig . You gave me a couple of ideas for my skid. It is also great your this busy and you are making it happen. Keep up the GREAT work and the videos..

[@ChuckNorriz1122]

That is the nicest press brake I have ever seen. Can’t wait to see the video on that!

[@mophomanners]

I would build the box for the pack packouts. I know how it is at get to the hotel time. Plus it's prime pickings for lunch and fuel stops. Also, add some pockets for a few flood worklights. On your after hours stuff it shows you like to work in a well lit area.

[@Timbo428CJ]

Very well thought out 👍🏼 Nice job !!

[@warrenjones744]

Crane tuck is in my world is king,, but sometimes it's not what you need. That poor little truck is gonna be heavy but pretty handy! I like the table that folds down and the clever use of the job box handle latch thingy.

[@geraldosteen2357]

Great thought. There are always minor changes that could be implemented. As for space authorization and work ability it’s is definitively a jam up tool. Thanks for sharing will show to my son who is traveling in the structure welding and pipe fitting trades. Nice job.

[@JD-526]

What a great idea and compact design. I love your videos they show us how things are done 👍.

[@derekh0322]

That's a great lay out for such a small truck. The table on the back is gonna make whoever runs that truck happy

[@terryperrott9913]

Nice set up,very well done

[@roadsideservice2406]

I switched over to pickup trucks years ago for equipment repairs. Just carry smaller tools, I can switch over to another truck in about 1 hours. Truck fully loaded fits easily in the garage, still have a service truck but only use it when I need the crane. Thanks for the video

[@mcfwelding]

Awesome. Efficient and simple, can get most jobs done

[@brianmusick4363]

Just an idea, but if you lowered the 330 down and laid the oxygen bottle down horizontally you could probably get an ARE cover over everything. ARE makes a cover where the sides open up for access and it’s not glass so you can’t see inside. Back flips up, sides flip up for access to the pack out boxes. Might require some additional tweaks, but it would be fully enclosed, secured, and wouldn’t look like a welding truck. Thieves wouldn’t know what’s inside. I really like what you’ve done here and plan on building something very similar to this for my short bed Dodge. Sort of a stealth rig.

[@OFW]

I like that. I’ll look into it

[@brianmusick4363]

@OFW Just looked and the one I'm thinking about is the A.R.E HD. You can also customize one, add a pretty beefy roof rack, etc. ​Just a thought.

[@ypaulbrown]

So fantastic to see you growing so much…

[@coreyb4073]

Pretty sweet, you could probably make a gull wing type door that went over the packouts and hinge it off the jobox, then you could padlock it down, the back is already shielded by the table, and the front is locked by the welder, it would also help keep the rain and sun off the pack outs.. awsome build though, I like the gooseneck attachment idea, makes it so you can pull it with one pin

[@markfryer9880]

OFW. I liked the idea and the way that you fitted everything together. Like many other viewers have concerns about the security of items as well as weather protection. Another viewer mentioned water in toolboxes, and after personal experience, I couldn't agree more. You don't need that hassle in your life. Definitely look into a complete canopy for the rear bed. I think that climbing up to the upper toolbox is going to get old very fast with or without making a step pathway. The less you have to move things, the sooner that you are earning money. Work from the ground where possible. Is this vehicle to be used in the Brush Fire support role? If it is, then definitely get a canopy and have more support around the Milwaukee boxes as they won't stand up to those rough trails without breaking and spilling tools and parts everywhere. Again, I noticed that the Miller has no compressed air storage, but finding room for a tank is going to be tricky. I hope that this comment will help you a bit. Thanks for the video. I photographed that air compressor lifting system we have at school, do you have an email I can send the photos to you? It's a big bastard of a system running on 415 volts. Mark from Melbourne Australia

[@RicksterX-92fs]

Great conservation of space and well planned fixtures!

[@tdotw77]

You sure shoehorned everything into a shortbed box here! Came out pretty sweet Greg. Just make sure the packouts are secure when truck is unattended. I really love those large slide out drawers & the slideout tray, makes getting stuff from the front so much easier. Nice litte storage down in front for straps, chains, binders, come-alongs, cords, hoses, etc. Never expected this much fitting into a shortbed, great Tetris playing going on here(was my favorite game back in the day).👍🏻👌🏻🛠️🔧🔩⚡🔌⚠️😎 ✊🏻🇺🇲🦅🇺🇲✊🏻

[@mikeallen266]

Cool build ! Being organized saves time👍saving time turns time into money $

[@johnmckeighan4400]

I love the table!

[@GNaron]

Nice unit, it will be great for getting around those fire trails to fix ambulance radiators. Years ago I worked for company that had similar set up on a 1 ton. No welders with built in air compressor, no pac out boxes, no battery tools. It was great for working on rock plants, it could just be hosted up where the work was. They used a gooseneck ball set up to latch in the bed. The unit came out of bed one day and tore the tallgate clean off the truck!!! They also a had sandblaster set up that went in the 1 ton. Both units fit in a conex box, when not being use or left on job site. It was being used to sandblast graffiti off a block wall, someone drove off with it and it was never seen again.

[@hairypaw9165]

Sweet rig! 100% functionality.

[@bartscave]

Awesome job! I’m jealous of that new brake.

[@scottfeatherstone7156]

Awesome build. Really enjoyed the build process and tour!

[@1leggeddog]

Looks good! I'd definitely look at getting like a rolling shutter in front of the tool boxes for easy access

[@bsquadrider]

Came out sweet, I really like the deep pack rat for the everyday tools. Most skids I have seen have tool boxes that aren't easy to access without climbing in and out of the bed, which would get old fast.

[@kenbouchet7874]

Thanks, great job. Well thought out and built.👍

[@davidmcduffie1398]

Great job ! Very good use of the space you have to work with ! Go set-um on fire ! ! ! Liked the video as always !

[@AndreZA979]

Man, that's an awesome rig!

[@sjohnson1776]

Very cool build! I'm interested to see how it evolves (if at all) once it's in the field. Sweet!

[@haydenc2742]

Could always add hooks for ratchet straps for the loadout boxes just in case vibration makes them come loose Incredible setup though...shoe horned an entire welding shop into a shortbed pickup truck! Keep em coming!!!!

[@gettinbentfabrication9137]

Man you just helped me out with this video with ideas for mine I actually work out of a s10 and I have a Lincoln ranger 250 full torches and all the tools in it and they just helped me how to set it up better thanks

[@marshmellow1323]

Nice set up Greg, i need that set up in my life 😂

[@derrickpettit86]

Awesome set-up man, organized is key, if truck is squatting a little, maybe put airbags on the back then truck will sit level all the time, but it's a Cummins an it can handle the weight, sweet set-up, thanks for sharing

[@steffob4729]

❤ what a nice custom build you constructed. I think a lightweight cab as protection against weather and theft would not be wrong.😊

[@guygfm4243]

Very tidy, well worked out

[@PrairieMechanic]

Damn man, you used all of that truck box. Nice and clean. Great work as usual

[@neilheriot2361]

Nice work, that is a slick little table.👌

[@BMGrilla60]

You should market that setup. Great modular, easy install rig for a medium duty mechanic. Lot of good ideas and excellent use of space.

[@Jacob-40]

Cool idea 🤟🏻🤟🏻 my recommendation is make a cover like the ones on fire trucks that you can lift up like the ones some stores have. On the right side of the truck one and on the left the same thing and in the back of the truck one too. When you lift it up you will have room to reach all the things. Oh, I remember. Like garage doors.

[@506curtis]

Yea sometimes it's nice to just have a small setup, I have been thinking about building an aluminum skid setup in a f350, with my lincoln 305G. the new miller stuff is so sweet. I just wish miller would make a 400 pro air pack with WIC and a kubota, that would be the ultimate machine for me. Nice man your killin it!

[@ronbelldvm]

Ingenious! Very cool. Thanks for sharing.

[@carlocrivello3044]

Great lay out there. that is going to make the fast job a breeze to do. You could use a cable track mounted to the 75/25 bottle brackets for the air lines and cable for the side out.

[@machinemoverman4614]

That is a pretty handy little setup!

[@Darlhim89]

awesome setup as always. Your trucks are always A+.

[@Matt-s3q]

That's sick! Job well done as usual. What about a rear view cam?

[@michaelbigelow367]

Great job ! Look awesome !

[@MrRebar15]

*On Fire Welding* Bravo well done, thank-you sir for taking the time to bring us along. GOD Bless.

[@89firebird]

Nice Fab work to set it all off and install you a nice Bush guard winch system on the front

[@machinemoverman4614]

Bushes are not so common anymore. lol

[@ÁREAJ27]

Olá amigos uma camionete dessas já é meu sonho de consumo,imagina com todas essa ferramentas seria fantástico!!! Boa sorte sempre!!!

[@T.McGarry]

Great concept, well executed, and will definitely pay off in the long run. Meanwhile, where is that lounging Weimaraner ?

[@OFW]

Unfortunately both of my Weimaraners have passed away. 😢

[@T.McGarry]

@@OFW So sorry to hear that news. We lost both our ridgebacks in the past two years, so I feel your pain....

[@darrellk9671]

Thank you, Greg.

[@gidge34]

That table is dope, Well done🤙🇺🇸

[@dirk4926]

Looks like it's going to be a great truck for you.

[@glennmeadows6892]

That is a jam up system very creative design and practical

[@tomhendricks316]

Really great video. Thanks for taking the time to make it! I really like the work table. Could you put a step on a hinge? When the table is up it hangs flat when that table is down it hangs down as a step. Thanks Tom

[@markbraham5439]

Looking great, easy to deploy and utilised. Definitely needs to box in quick release storage.

[@crbrepairmotorcycles6608]

That's pretty Awesome I was thinking all along find a home for a vise on a reciever but you nailed it

[@paulleeson1218]

A couple of thoughts, you have some crazy hot suns over your side of the pond, Would the "workbench" distort at all ? 2/ Over here that would attract thieves like moths to a flame, would some kind of sliding hardtop be difficult to construct ? It could slide back/off and with some fold out legs double as shade/shelter for the workbench area and keep all of those goodies away from prying eyes. 3/ Like everything I've seen on this channel its very well thought out and very well executed and evidence of the care you take, I love it.

[@Asomesauc]

Great build 👏 👌 👍🏻

[@raysmith7382]

For a pickup built you’ve done a Great Job !!! I’m sure you’ll modify it a little but nice job

[@bambambundy6]

Nice build for sure but after being down many bad roads and time with that stuff sitting you might consider helpers for the back end. Great video!!

[@markboyanton9880]

Good to see your business grow. Keep up the amazing work!

[@Rubbernecker]

Awesome rig!!!

[@SFS13-01]

A lot of great ideas! Very handy. Bet you’ll run the wheels off of it because you’ll use it more than you imagined. About the welder not being balanced, none of the four Lincoln 305G’s that I have owned have been either. They droop in the rear of the machine and makes mounting it to the truck by myself (which is 95% of the time) a little more interesting, for sure.

[@frfrpr]

Busy shop and a killer welding truck.

[@stevekitchens7876]

Pretty slick! Need to send ya some more tower upgrades!

[@2tana22]

Fantastic, built the way you want, should last for years, everything is thought out to be fast and efficient, what a great rig to get the job done easily, I certainly don’t see anything in the bed that would be a problem ACCEPT maybe getting a black heavy material made (Cordura) (with corner patches sewn in to help last) covering the Milwaukee boxes from sight, with quick release snaps of some sort,,,i would not want those red boxes seen,,(red flag),,, love the fold down table, maybe even paint the top with bed liner, if that would work around welding, I would not like things sliding around on the work bench ( so to speak) Job well done!, I’d sure be proud of it

[@OFW]

Berliner and welding definitely don’t mix. Good ideas though!

[@2tana22]

That’s good to know, sure be great if it didn’t catch fire

[@merkyworks]

Very nice setup, you got a talent for sure

[@timf2914]

I think it's a great setup 👌

[@petermccuskey1832]

Outstanding job!!!

[@dougkinney4521]

Great job!

[@deanl2427]

Very nice! I love the fold down work table, you killed it with that! The only thing I guess wouldn't be important to me, is the slide out feature. It raises your center of gravity a lot and are you really getting that much more necessary storage? I never had one, but I am just wondering how much that will be used, considering the amount of storage in the Weather Guard box.

[@Zeropointmagic-mh9pv]

Love watching your idea's come together now you have to show us how your are utilizing these tools. I also wish you would go back and review how some to the big repairs hare fairing. 😀😃😄

[@9fa4108f]

As for the fire extinguisher, I'd weld a small bracket behind the vise and secure it there (you have clearance). So every time you lower that table you'll have to put the fire extinguisher away from the truck which is the ideal procedure. I loved your design 👍. Best from 🇧🇷

[@jasonchampion9932]

Great job!👍🏼💯✌🏼

[@williams.7314]

Awesome, really enjoyed seeing this. Would you ever consider doing a video where you, without doxxing yourself, give like a life's journey sort of recap? How you got into welding, built your business, got into gov contracting, etc? Did you go to school, how many employees did you start of with, when did you decide that you wanted to do technical work and manage people, do you have an HR department, etc.? Just like, a more philosophical view of your path to this point, without too much personally identifiable information to protect yourself to the extent you are comfortable with.

[@OFW]

This is a popular request. I will probably make that video one day.

[@a-fl-man640]

always found not welding as you go, but waiting as long as possible saves time as things change. the video doesn't depict the thought, time, fabrication, etc. nice piece. i had no idea you could keep a 75/25 horizontal, interesting.

[@FrankRoden-wm2lm]

Great Idea ...I like how it all fits together and utilizes the space. I think i would try to come up with a cover, for the pack outs. It would be a pain to unpack them, if you should need to over night in a motel. You may be on to something here, I bet people are going to steal your idea. Best wishes !!!!

[@Fabian7024]

Bro that press break 😂😂 beautiful !

[@BruceBoschek]

Great rig! That will suit you well. BTW, just weld a counterweight on the end of the Miller for balance! 🙃 Thanks for the excellent video!

[@richardjohnson8009]

I was just looking at making something like this! I was on looking at towable crane, would be pretty simple to make one also. Nice!

[@joeblow3939]

❤ GPS air tag the truck & equipment. I have just learned that CAT has a tool line made by SNAP-ON at about 1/3 the price. 👍👍 Looks good

[@overwatch2671]

When you get this modular welding pac tweaked and tested. You should market this. One of the best ideas I've seen in a minute The only thing I would suggest is a front loading metal, lockable cabinet for your Milwaukee pack out tools.

[@tomredmond]

Thinking you could mount the fire extinguishers under the table so they would be above tailgate when it is folded. Nice compact unit you've built.

[@OFW]

That thought did cross my mind.

[@berniestraka577]

Awesome build!

[@jamest.5001]

I'd make a cover from a canvas tarp or something similar, maybe two layers with a 3/16 " cable sewn into the perimeter, and cross the top in some way. Use it to keep the sun and rain off a bit. And add some security when parked at motels, or outside at night. Rarely do you stay anywhere where someone isn't thinking they want your stuff more than you do . The cover attach at the front with a padlock, then another pair of locks at the rear. Using the cable to brace the edge of the canvas. Maybe add a water proofer to the canvas.v

[@Watchyn_Yarwood]

When you do need a heavy duty vise, consider a receiver hitch vise that you could keep stored in that area under the welder.

[@ThisyoungTony]

Better mpg, no scales, cheaper parts, less on registration and insurance. A win is a win. But then again sometimes you don’t expect to throw the kitchen sink at it but it wants you to. I’m sure it’ll be a great support truck at big jobs too. Much easier to run and grab parts and materials when the crane truck is already setup.

[@Failure_Is_An_Option]

You've never done field work. Working out of a bed of a truck is a compromise on the best f days.

[@russellslater3675]

For the hoses maybe a semi pogo stick like they use for the air and electrical on a spring. looks like it will be real handy.

[@bigred06100]

Nicely built sir 👍

[@chuckiowa]

Hey there Look Great only one thing were the Step ladder other than that it Look Very Nice Keep up the Great work

[@Casey2]

Nice work, tons of storage, only thing I would do different is mount the leads/reels on the operating side of the welder

[@scotthultin7769]

1,269 👍's up on fire welding thank you for sharing 🤗

[@sccolbert]

That is freaking sweet!

[@yenerm114]

Looks good 👌🏼👌🏼 crazy how fast ya run out of space when building something like this , always more stuff 😆

[@McNeillWelding1]

Nice set up

[@cyberhornthedragon]

couldnt ya hinge a cover off the job box lid for the pack outs ? then have that locked to the bx below an then mount the extinguisher near the welder on a post flip of the lever an youve got it in hand figthin fire ..just ideas

[@OFW]

Ya, that’s what I was thinking.

[@LachlanRoberts-dn5qi]

I never understand being an aussie why the idea of ute trays never caught on in the states. A simple tray, couple under tray boxes would be a treat to work out of

[@tdotw77]

We have flatbed\utility beds too but this is how most trucks come. Plus the beds aren't cheap at al($10k -15k)l & make truck a permanent 'work truck', however this one can go back to normal with a forklift just removing it. I do like those ute beds though! The ones with boxes underneath are nice. 👍🏻👌🏻🛠️🔧🔩

[@blister762]

They've become popular over the past decade or so. My brother has one in his Raptor.

[@RambozoClown]

Plus one on the work lights. Wired into the Miller so the rig comes out without any connectors. And maybe a mount for a big shade/rain umbrella. We've all seen your jobsites and know you work day or night, rain or shine.

[@9Antonian]

Very nice! Awesome set up, but you forgot the most important thing…..where are you going to mount the 50 cal???? Thank you sir for posting and sharing your experience, much appreciated.

[@OFW]

Over the sunroof obviously!!!!

[@glenngosline3303]

Very nice. I am heading out to California to work for you.