cali combo

Mbgs-dime · 08-09-2009, 12:32 AM

ok so i was at the carlisle truck show today checking out trucks for ideas for new projects.. on the way home some guy rear-ends me at a stoplight so now im gonna do a cali combo.. does anyone have pictures in step by step on how to do it? im sure i can do it, im a ok welder just not sure what all i need and have to do

**GoingCustom** · 08-09-2009, 09:40 AM

Don't quite a have step by step pics, but maybe these will help? It's quite easy honestly. Remove tailgate/bumper, weld in tail light fillers or if you are keeping your stock tail lights, then remove them so they aren't damaged. Line up the tailgate skin so the body line matches, tack into place. tack tack tack tack tack tack, etc... until it's welded in. Add license plate box or different tail lights as needed. Also, make sure you put in some sort of bracing behind the skin so it doesn't crack at the seams.

Mbgs-dime · 08-09-2009, 10:55 PM

alright thanx man im sure i can handle it.. it dont seem too bad

~~ASquared~~ · 08-09-2009, 11:01 PM

can you just cut off the tailgate skin that is already on it and basically weld the cali combo to the back of the stock tailgate? you would maintain factory support then right? does that make sense?

Xtreme24 · 08-09-2009, 11:05 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by ASquared

can you just cut off the tailgate skin that is already on it and basically weld the cali combo to the back of the stock tailgate? you would maintain factory support then right? does that make sense?

the factory tailgate does not give any rigid structure to the bed. for example, take a jack and just up one side of the truck from the very back and look at the gaps between the bed and tailgate. you have to cross brace the bed sides to keep them from flexing and ruining the finished bodywork/paint.

Mbgs-dime · 08-10-2009, 07:29 AM

o ok i understand that it makes sense so how many braces? like one across the back right behind the gate and one across the front

timtp2004 · 08-10-2009, 08:14 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Mbgs-dime

o ok i understand that it makes sense so how many braces? like one across the back right behind the gate and one across the front

Yes, and then most ppl do an X in between those rails then.

Mbgs-dime · 08-10-2009, 12:02 PM

ok awesome thanks for the info. ill post pix when i get it done hopefully in a week or 2

skindeep · 11-02-2009, 04:33 PM

dose the skin come touch both sides of the bed

dbailey92 · 11-05-2009, 11:46 AM

Sorry if it seems dumb but I'm confused at welding in the bracing? Does the combo sit on it or come in contact with it? I can get the skin lined and all welded up but wasn't sure about the bracing behind it.

**GoingCustom** · 11-06-2009, 04:03 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by dbailey92

Sorry if it seems dumb but I'm confused at welding in the bracing? Does the combo sit on it or come in contact with it? I can get the skin lined and all welded up but wasn't sure about the bracing behind it.

I did on mine. Once I got the skin tacked on, I tacked in some 3/4" bracing against it that went from bed side to bed side. I've never had any problems/cracks. After the skin was fully welded, I went back and did some more tacks on the bracing to secure it.

**GoingCustom** · 11-06-2009, 04:21 AM

Edit: here's a pic...

83blazerlaynframe · 11-06-2009, 01:03 PM

Lol im gonna whore out dougs truck again...

Go to:

Oaktowntrucks.com>media>pics> then doug1's build near the bottom. Its like halfway through the pages and i dont know offhand what page.

We welded the braces in FIRST, AFTER we tested the straightness of the bedsides using a square AND the cali-combo. Once we knew it was striaght we welded it so it would stay rigid.

Then sat the combo on a piece at the very top that the skin "hung" on. Then did tack tack tack tack till it was fully welded in.

Hope that helps!!! (goin on 3 years and still holding up great!)

08-09-2009, 12:32 AM	#1
Mbgs-dime Registered User Age: 21 Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 57 Location: somewhere User is: OffLine	cali combo ok so i was at the carlisle truck show today checking out trucks for ideas for new projects.. on the way home some guy rear-ends me at a stoplight so now im gonna do a cali combo.. does anyone have pictures in step by step on how to do it? im sure i can do it, im a ok welder just not sure what all i need and have to do
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08-09-2009, 09:40 AM	#2
GoingCustom CNC Plasma Cutting Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 792 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: cali combo Don't quite a have step by step pics, but maybe these will help? It's quite easy honestly. Remove tailgate/bumper, weld in tail light fillers or if you are keeping your stock tail lights, then remove them so they aren't damaged. Line up the tailgate skin so the body line matches, tack into place. tack tack tack tack tack tack, etc... until it's welded in. Add license plate box or different tail lights as needed. Also, make sure you put in some sort of bracing behind the skin so it doesn't crack at the seams. Last edited by GoingCustom : 08-09-2009 at 09:45 AM.
	[Reply w/Quote]

08-09-2009, 10:55 PM	#3
Mbgs-dime Registered User Age: 21 Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 57 Location: somewhere User is: OffLine	Re: cali combo alright thanx man im sure i can handle it.. it dont seem too bad
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08-09-2009, 11:01 PM	#4
~~ASquared~~ On the grind Age: 20 Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 108 Location: Auburn, Washington User is: OffLine	Re: cali combo can you just cut off the tailgate skin that is already on it and basically weld the cali combo to the back of the stock tailgate? you would maintain factory support then right? does that make sense?
	[Reply w/Quote]

08-09-2009, 11:05 PM	#5
Xtreme24 DeXtreme on 20/22's Age: 23 Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 4,294 Location: DFW, Texas User is: Online	Re: cali combo Quote: Originally Posted by ASquared can you just cut off the tailgate skin that is already on it and basically weld the cali combo to the back of the stock tailgate? you would maintain factory support then right? does that make sense? the factory tailgate does not give any rigid structure to the bed. for example, take a jack and just up one side of the truck from the very back and look at the gaps between the bed and tailgate. you have to cross brace the bed sides to keep them from flexing and ruining the finished bodywork/paint.
	[Reply w/Quote]

08-10-2009, 07:29 AM	#6
Mbgs-dime Registered User Age: 21 Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 57 Location: somewhere User is: OffLine	Re: cali combo o ok i understand that it makes sense so how many braces? like one across the back right behind the gate and one across the front
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08-10-2009, 08:14 AM	#7
timtp2004 TTP Age: 24 Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 1,122 Location: Colorado User is: OffLine	Re: cali combo Quote: Originally Posted by Mbgs-dime o ok i understand that it makes sense so how many braces? like one across the back right behind the gate and one across the front Yes, and then most ppl do an X in between those rails then.
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08-10-2009, 12:02 PM	#8
Mbgs-dime Registered User Age: 21 Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 57 Location: somewhere User is: OffLine	Re: cali combo ok awesome thanks for the info. ill post pix when i get it done hopefully in a week or 2
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11-02-2009, 04:33 PM	#9
skindeep Registered User Age: 23 Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 238 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: cali combo dose the skin come touch both sides of the bed
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11-05-2009, 11:46 AM	#10
dbailey92 Got me a Stepside! Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 377 Location: East, TN User is: OffLine	Re: cali combo Sorry if it seems dumb but I'm confused at welding in the bracing? Does the combo sit on it or come in contact with it? I can get the skin lined and all welded up but wasn't sure about the bracing behind it.
	[Reply w/Quote]

11-06-2009, 04:03 AM	#11
GoingCustom CNC Plasma Cutting Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 792 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: cali combo Quote: Originally Posted by dbailey92 Sorry if it seems dumb but I'm confused at welding in the bracing? Does the combo sit on it or come in contact with it? I can get the skin lined and all welded up but wasn't sure about the bracing behind it. I did on mine. Once I got the skin tacked on, I tacked in some 3/4" bracing against it that went from bed side to bed side. I've never had any problems/cracks. After the skin was fully welded, I went back and did some more tacks on the bracing to secure it.
	[Reply w/Quote]

11-06-2009, 04:21 AM	#12
GoingCustom CNC Plasma Cutting Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 792 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: cali combo Edit: here's a pic... Last edited by GoingCustom : 11-06-2009 at 04:26 AM.
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11-06-2009, 01:03 PM	#13
83blazerlaynframe No more blazer Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 1,016 Location: Warren, mi User is: OffLine	Re: cali combo Lol im gonna whore out dougs truck again... Go to: Oaktowntrucks.com>media>pics> then doug1's build near the bottom. Its like halfway through the pages and i dont know offhand what page. We welded the braces in FIRST, AFTER we tested the straightness of the bedsides using a square AND the cali-combo. Once we knew it was striaght we welded it so it would stay rigid. Then sat the combo on a piece at the very top that the skin "hung" on. Then did tack tack tack tack till it was fully welded in. Hope that helps!!! (goin on 3 years and still holding up great!)
	[Reply w/Quote]