toyospearo

My original idea was to have a shop build a flatbed that I designed. I had a rough idea of what I was after. I wanted the flat bed to accentuate the look of the 94 ext. cab body. Rather than the bed just sitting there like a flatbed, I wanted it to look as if it were designed with the aesthetics in mind. In other words I wanted the flatbed to compliment the 94 body curve to curve. After pouring over the internet for ideas, beating the brush for shadetree fabricators and scouting around fabrication shops I had two conclusions, one, I couldn't afford the labor and two, I couldn't seem to settle on a production/custom flatbed. My only alternative was take a welding class/workshop and learn how to do it myself. Luckily I found a great workshop here locally with a brilliant instructor. The workshop was through Unauthorized Art here in Arcata Ca. http://www.unauthorizedart.com/ and the instructor is John Robertson. A few things about John before I move on to the build. In addition to being a brilliant metal worker John is an artist. Here is his website http://www.jonrobertsondesign.com/. A GREAT deal of the fabrication design John came up with. Every aspect of this flatbed build John was right there making sure things were coming together correctly. This flatbed build took one month to complete. Roughly $1000.00 in materials from start to paint as well as an estimated 20 days at 8hrs a day = 160hrs My rig is a trail rig more than a rock crawler. I designed it with this in mind. I am aware of the flex, clearance and cargo issues. On to the build.... This is where it started.... The arsenal... OH MY MY.. 3 Phase PLASMA!!!! this was my first project for the flatbed. My Home Depot lock box needed new legs. A trip to the toy store... laying out the structure... mocked up.. Tracing and cutting the headache rack... Fabbed up the one side, tacked it and mirrored it with the other... Inside as well as out.. thats how I roll! or just in case I roll moved the frame in and checked everything out.. headache rack in place, tacked up... I was sweating that weld... Thats the visible one Grinding on the headache rack to make it purdy... While we were finishing up the 45 degree seams on the frame John made this comment "why not make an air tank out of your flatbed frame " So we did... drilled and tapped hole... TIG weld nut and fitting... And there is its home... Testing for leaks. Yes there were quite a few. NO PROBLEM, get out the TIG!! Finally got the leaks under control. This was the shop PSI after a few take on and take offs. It held at 80 PSI for 4 days. Not a drop of air gone I have a little 12v air compressor rated at 250 PSI. I wired in a cig lighter in the passengers side compartment where the old jack went in addition to the hose and gauge. It works like a charm. An air tight flatbed holding roughly 8 gallons of air Time for the deck.. I wanted to recess the lock box down in the empty space above the gas tank. It was roughly 4". This also allowed me to secure the box from being stolen... I made a box for the lock box to sit down in... I had to stitch weld it to keep the heat transfer correct. Time for the gas cap.. Cut the hole for placement and did templates for positioning.. Template and the position of the gas cap a little forward to make the hose fitting correct... Plasmaed the gas hole... It was easier to weld off the bed.. welded in little nuts to catch the screws from the cap... Gas line ready PITA... I thought this was interesting. I made a little video of the MIG dialed at 3 with a 35 line speed... Trailer hitch and diamond place skirting... I copied the license plate light template license plate box. It is part of the structure for the hitch.. I had to use deep welds for this... Box and rear end.. another little vid... I knew at some point I was going to have to chop chop... skirting getting welded on and shined up.... My best weld!! Yes, of course it is underneath John suggested I make the diamond plate deck removable in order to have it rhino lined. I welded on bolts and angle iron on the frame to attach a lock nut and washer... This was similar to what John had done on his rig. This set up is for the highlift jack to slide on and off as well as the winches.. I stitch welded the inside bar, plasmaed the holes and plug welded them on the frame and then sanded it all smooth... Time for PAINT!!! I used an acid based primer and the paint is an industrial enamel used on most flatbeds... Primer.. Paint tack coat... PAINTED!!! everyone needs a 1 ton hoist!! LED wiring.. LED load resistors... Air hose run under the passenger side firewall... I had some issues with the muffler. I had to cut a chunk out and re weld it... All wired in... Deck going on... FINISHED!!!!! Here is what keeps it safe at night

This ad is not displayed to registered members. Register your free account today and become a member on Yotatech!

__________________
94 Ext. cab 22re
Aussied, 4.88's, SAS,ed, FLATBED, Old Man Emu rear leafs w/TG 5.5" shackles, TG sliders,
LC Header, Marlin super HD clutch,
32's- Swamper TSL's- RC rims,
Badland Bumper, lifted, lighted, LED'ed,
Warned, alternatored (LC High ouput), Hammed, gusseted, trussed, etc, etc...

My build thread
http://www.yotatech.com/f152/great-w...ck-sas-164531/
My Flatbed build thread
http://www.yotatech.com/f88/toyospea...-build-191787/

Blue Bowtie

Damn, that thing is really nice. You did a great job.

__________________
1990 Pickup DLX, 22RE-5spd-4x4
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3219090

scuba

That is soooo awesome spearo, I'm happy for ya man. It looks great. I want a FB even more now


Congrats bro !!

__________________
Screw you guys I'm goin to TTORA

dannomite

That is easily the best looking flat bed I have ever seen. Even my wife who hates the look of flat beds says that this is awesome. Great work!

__________________
1996 SR5 5speed rear locker.

ScottyC

A lot of trick fabwork in that bed. Nice!

__________________
Scotty
http://www.addictedoffroad.com/
970-420-4198
Toyota Winch bumpers on SALE!

okie81

Holy crap spearo! that's one heck of a project for you to drop on us all at once. Nice Work.

BTW, that air compressor in the the frame is ingenious.

__________________
2001 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4-Dub
TRD supercharger, Thorley Headers, URD 7th, Toytec Coilovers, OME 890's, baseball card in spokes

lostINtheSAUCE

im gonna have to agree with everyone else on here. Thats pretty bad ass!!!

malteserunner

Well worth the wait! That is the best looking flatbed I've seen yet. The paint turned out awesome. Great job!

__________________
87 4Runner, 22re, 5 spd, 4.88, ARB rear, Mile Marker PE8000, Downey Header, TG Sliders, 3" BL, Home Fab Front and Rear Bumper, WabFab Bikini Top, Rustoleum OD Green. Build Thread

98 Tacoma Prerunner, 2.7, 340k.

91 4Runner, V6. 5 speed, Pro Comp lift, 33's, Rock Crawlers. Sold.

pennywize

omg, that thing looks awesome! good work!

xyzalvarez

WOW!
attention to detail ! clean work right there! congrats !

PS when you get this flat beds on manufacture process , i want one !
Bad @ss !

sweet trav

I agree...VERY nice! Where's the spare tire mount?

__________________
DON'T TELL ME TO USE THE SEARCH TOOL!

'96 4runner-2.7L-headers-intake-exhaust-5spd-33"ss tsl's-4.10's-custom sliders-custom rear bumper-a lot more left to do...

Sola Scriptura
Sola Fide
Sola Gratia
Solus Christus
Soli Deo gloria

If you need fab work email: streetacos@hotmail.com

Lama glama

No one could ever accuse you of doing anything half-a$s!! Now all you need is a 3.4L!

__________________
Brian
1991 Ext cab 4x4 3.0 5spd
3.4 swap in the works!!!

camo31"10.50"

holy ....

its

its

its BEAUTIFUL!!!!!


it is EASILY the MOST AMAZINGLY built flatbed EVER!!!!!

only thing i would add are like maybe a 1" or 2" rail going all the way around..just to keep things from rolling off ya know

but still..thats incredible..too bad your all the way in nor cal or i'd be paying you to build my front and rear bumpers..wow

__________________
FOR SALE 1986 Ext. Cab 4x4, rebuilt 22R, 5spd, 31x10.50 X-Terrains FOR SALE

1992 SR5 FO RUNNA V6, 5 speed, 4in. trail-master lift, 33x12.50 BFG muds, 4.56 gears!!! and an IMMACULATE interior..yes..you should be jealous

"Its still a toyota man.. Dont deprive it of its capabilities.."
"If you can read english, Thank a teacher...If you can speak it, Thank a soldier!!" Kelli Ruark-2009

toylocost

OK the frame isnt an air compressor. Its an air tank.

Other than that, its very nice. Best flatbed I've seen. You lay down some nice welds too. Nice shop btw.

__________________
1982 2wd Pickup - Custom Interior - Pioneer 8" subs
1990 4runner - Blown Head Gasket Mod (fixed!) - Cruiser Coils - BJ Spacers - Bed Lined Fenders - CB/PA - Alpine HU - H4 Headlights - 2 15s and a Rockford amp.
1996 Camry - 400,000 miles on original engine/transmission. HELL YES!!! All it takes is a quart of oil with every tank of gas.
Project: scratch building a modernized Lotus 7 replica using a 22-re Celica drivetrain

RMP8080

As my Friends from the Great White North would say “Great Job A”

__________________
God created police officers so firemen could have heros.
It may be a summons to you, but it's therapy for me.

1987 Toyota Pickup..replacing engine and frame with a 85 22r, 6 " lift, 35 12.50 15's

Backup vehicle.... F-350 4X4 DRW super duty crew cab. Diesel 17 mpg.

RiCh_90-yota

Best looking flatbed Ive seen Good work

YeloSub7

I have to agree, best flatbed I have ever seen! Nice work! I mean great work!!

__________________
-Jake

1990 4Runner <> 1990 Toyota 4Runner-22RE-5 speed-TG 3" front/4" rear-35" BFG M/T-4.88's-rear LSD-front TruTrac-MC Rear Bumper-TG DOM Sliders-TG Front Bumper

SAS Build-Up

Old Rigs:

'85 4Runner (RIP)
'95 4Runner (sold)

85TurboRunner

Great work. That is the nicest flat bed I've seen. It looks factory but better.

__________________
1985 4runner 22re 5spd.

HazMat

ehhhh. I like the softopper better. J/k man that is a beautiful, well thought out project done to perfection. Very nice job.

__________________
2004 3.4l Taco TRD SR5
Lil' bit-o-Lift, 32" General Grabbers, Softopper, 05TRD Wheels

95.5 2.7L Taco (RIP) Burned up!!

stock as possible

Mighty fine, mighty fine.

__________________
92 4wd xcab pickup, 22re, 5 speed

poynter

wow. Nicest flatbed I've ever seen.

yoder519

holy moly. that is definately teh nicest flatbed ive seen. teh angles are awesome. its not big and awkward and its not small and inconvenient. its perfect my friend. i want a flatbed like this now

__________________
Sold&Missed
95 Yota pu 22RE/33x12.50 Maxxis Buckshot Mudders/TG Sliders/4Crawler 2in BL//TG Diff Breather/Herculined Floorboard/Magnaflow Hi-Flow Cat/2.25" Exhaust/Glasspack/Procomp black steelies/Procomp shocks/Superlift 2" AALs/4 Crawler 1.5" BJers

1998 Dodge Cummins 24V 4x4 5spd/Quad Arenaline/4in Exhaust/6in Tip/AFE Intake

waskillywabbit

Very nice job.

Looks like you mounted the frame to the original body mounts?

Might want to get a cover for your Hi-Lift. It is gonna catch a lot of extra grime being over the tire like that if you run it there all the time. For trips, not a big deal.

Great job.

__________________
WabFab Off-Road, LLC

MySpace
Twitter
Facebook



7th Annual South East 4Runner Jamboree, 2010

The toughest part of a Jeep is the chick driving it.

WabFab Off-Road 4th Anniversary Sale

Lumpy

That there is bout the nicest lookin flat bed I have seen!!! Great writeup Way to go!!!

__________________

"""The Official Unofficial build thread!"""

92 std cab
22RE 5 spd 4x4
268 Engnbldr Cam
3"Intake w/ cone
31X10.5----4.10's
Purchased 11/08 @125K miles
Great find first project Toy

95 SR5 4Runner
3.Slow Auto :-( 4x4 (5 spd someday)
33X12.50----4.88's
LC Coils She's raked a bit now
5/09 Traded a 1980 CB 750 for it!!! Yeah for me...
106K miles

IFS Club #2

toyospearo

Thanks for all the nice comments everyone!!!!

and Brian, the only thing this flatbed is missing is a Wabfab sticker for inside the tool box!?!?!?!?!?!?

__________________
94 Ext. cab 22re
Aussied, 4.88's, SAS,ed, FLATBED, Old Man Emu rear leafs w/TG 5.5" shackles, TG sliders,
LC Header, Marlin super HD clutch,
32's- Swamper TSL's- RC rims,
Badland Bumper, lifted, lighted, LED'ed,
Warned, alternatored (LC High ouput), Hammed, gusseted, trussed, etc, etc...

My build thread
http://www.yotatech.com/f152/great-w...ck-sas-164531/
My Flatbed build thread
http://www.yotatech.com/f88/toyospea...-build-191787/