Okay, here’s my blog post about the truck bed lift scissor hinge project, written in a casual, first-person style:
So, I’ve been wanting to get more organized with the stuff in my truck bed. I hate having to crawl in there to grab something from the front. The solution? A lifting bed! I decided to build one myself using scissor hinges.
Getting Started
First, I measured the heck out of my truck bed. Inside, I made note of the length, width, and height I had to work with. It’s super important to get these numbers right, otherwise, nothing else will fit.
Then, I gathered my materials. I wanted something pretty strong, so I used some steel sheets for the platform, and got myself a pair of those truck bed lift scissor hinges. I also needed some bolts, nuts, washers, and a few other random bits.
The Build
The first thing I did was cut the steel sheet to the right size for the platform.I made sure to leave a little bit of space around the edges so the platform could move freely.
Next, I mounted the scissor hinges. This was a little tricky. I put the hinges on the truck bed frame and the underside of the platform. I spent a good bit of time making sure everything was lined up so the platform would lift evenly.
After that, I bolted everything together. I used plenty of washers to distribute the load and make sure the bolts wouldn’t tear through the metal over time. Double-checked every bolt to make sure it was nice and tight.
Testing it Out
With everything assembled, it was time for the moment of truth. I lifted the platform slowly, watching closely to make sure the hinges were working smoothly and nothing was binding. It took a bit of effort, but it lifted up! Success!
I noticed that sometimes it would get a little bit stuck, so I need to change the position of the hinges a little bit to make it works more smooth.
The Final Result
I can lift the front part of my truck bed! Now I can easily get to everything in my truck, no more crawling around. It’s way more organized, and I’m pretty proud of how it turned out. It wasn’t a super quick project, but definitely worth the effort.
