captain_howdy

So I wanna take the bed off my '94 pick up... is it worth it? I've heard it'll stick to the road like an Indy car, I've heard you get amazing gas mileage, but I don't think I believe that... So, is it worth it? And what will I need to keep it legal in Texas?

(off topic.. has anyone ever duped a lift kit? hahaha)

bleakhorizon

i took the bed off many trucks to put flatbeds, or to just work on stuff lol..... but with a truck that already is nose heavy you take the weight off the rear and it has absolutely no traction, and its plain scary in the gravel or rain sometimes..... but you would prob need fenders and taillights to be legal, if you really wana do it get yerself a nice flatbed or the like

Avenged

dont do it untill you have to cause the bed gets recked up or something.. seriously it will look cool for a few days and it will get old really fast

EWAYota

Get a nice flat bed and it will look just fine. Couple kits out there already, just have to weld it together. Other than that, head over to pirate4x4.com and check out the flatbed thread for some ideas if you want to go the flatbed route.

captain_howdy

all right... yeah I was gonna take it off 'cuz I really don't need it... I use it once in a blue moon to carry things that really aren't even my problem, and it just seems to be weighing me down back there (flatbeds have mass and therefore have weight.)... besides, it just seems to get dented and flake paint anyways.



yes, I know, the back end will be light.
i anticipated that.
(cue sinister grin.)

97T4RNR

Just one word-----plywood.

captain_howdy

97T4RNR, you are my hero.

dirtoyboy

taking the bed off was one of the best things I ever did. I sold it and bought a detroit.

Take it off and dont look back...just make sure you plan out SOMETHING to have back there first...

Targetnut

If you take that weight off you would benefit from reducing the rear spring rate. You could remove a leaf from the stack. This will allow for some weight transfer when accelerating and conering so it won't be so squirrely.

captain_howdy

ha I was thinkin' I'd have mudflaps and trailer lights... but that's cool too. I'm mostly concerned with the legal part.... anyone have their insurance go up for it?

CyMoN

I had to make a 4x4 bumper so I would not get pulled over.

two days after I bought the truck and 4 hours after I got it plated I got pulled over for not having a bumper.

best guess is your state laws or call the DMV and ask them what you can and cannot do to your truck.

dirtoyboy

If you can beleive it....my truck passed Missouri state inspection exactly like it is pictured above (minus the tube doors)

Guess there are SOME good things about this state...hehehe

captain_howdy

All right, cool. I don't think texas requires mudflaps/fenders for single rear wheel vehicles (as opposed to duallies) but i know brakelights and reverse lights are required. bumper... that's a tricky question. but that's what the mig welder is for!

dirtoyboy

In Missouri, the law only requires mudflaps on duallies and fool size trucks

James Dean

In alot of states, once you alter or expose more of the tire than it came with from the factory, it requires mudflaps. AZ does. About it stickin like an Indy car, I don't know where you heard that. The back ends of trucks are already too light. The few times I've had beds off while painting was not a fun adventure, especially if it rained or snowed. If you take it off, do something cool for looks and weight like dirtoyboy did.

89truck

No rear bumper required for pickup trucks in TX. You are correct about the brake, tail, and reverse light are required to pass state inspection.

captain_howdy

awesome! trailer lights are in the budget. did anyones insurance go up because of it? (it should go down, they're insuring less vehicle lol)

WCorbett

take out a couple leafs and run a low psi in back.

captain_howdy

but that would take all the fun out of a 80/20 weight distribution!

captain_howdy

well?