Flat bed, or stock?
#1
Flat bed, or stock?
My bed is rustin' out again, I covered it up with bondo and rattle canned it, I like the look, but the rust is coming back and I like the idea of a flat deck so...

The floor will probably be numerous treated 2x6's that are sanded smooth and polyeurethaned, the "bed sides" will be 1 or 1.5" square tube, and there would be a "skirting" off the sides 6 to 8" just to help make the frame not look so bare, If I do the flat deck I'm gonna re-rattle can my truck close to the stock tan, and black out my rims. Also the flat deck will have a reciever built in for recovery, and my roll bar will be mounted to the flat deck to carry a Jerry can, Hi-Lift, Lights, and be a CB antenna mount. Obviously it won't provide much rollover protection, but its better than nothing.
Or re-bondo and re-flat black it..

Which should I do? Its either one or the other.

The floor will probably be numerous treated 2x6's that are sanded smooth and polyeurethaned, the "bed sides" will be 1 or 1.5" square tube, and there would be a "skirting" off the sides 6 to 8" just to help make the frame not look so bare, If I do the flat deck I'm gonna re-rattle can my truck close to the stock tan, and black out my rims. Also the flat deck will have a reciever built in for recovery, and my roll bar will be mounted to the flat deck to carry a Jerry can, Hi-Lift, Lights, and be a CB antenna mount. Obviously it won't provide much rollover protection, but its better than nothing.
Or re-bondo and re-flat black it..

Which should I do? Its either one or the other.
#2
wow... 1st pic makes me think back to the days of Apple ][+ and choplifter....

other than your lack of perspective...
... right side 'roll bar' in the middle of the bed? ...
... man too much to contemplate ....
shorten the frame as much as you can, run the 'roll bar' back to the rear instead of in front of the wheels...
maybe even use the space in front of the rear wheels and outside the frame for jerry cans... probably could fit 2 cans in front of the rear wheels on each side giving you 20 gallons spare fuel?

other than your lack of perspective...
... right side 'roll bar' in the middle of the bed? ...
... man too much to contemplate ....
shorten the frame as much as you can, run the 'roll bar' back to the rear instead of in front of the wheels...
maybe even use the space in front of the rear wheels and outside the frame for jerry cans... probably could fit 2 cans in front of the rear wheels on each side giving you 20 gallons spare fuel?
#4
the rollbar I'm using will stay the way it is, its just in my bed right now, I'll have one or two jerry cans, one for water, one for gas.. and who's jessica rabbit?
OH and I DID use MS paint I was kinda tipsy when I drew that..
OH and I DID use MS paint I was kinda tipsy when I drew that..
#6
I was thinking of the same flatbed idea, but with a removable cage over top with a top rack at roof height for storage. If it was bolt on you could remove it if you needed to put something tall on the back.
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#8
jessica rabbit? ... you haven't seen "who framed roger rabbit?"????
#9
and try paint.net: www.getpaint.net almost photoshop... and free
#11
93, Because of your truck, flatbed it is!
As far as the rollbar, I dunno if you guys understood me the first time I said, its staying the way it is, I ain't buildin another or messin with the one I have, I have to haul dirt bikes, parts, engines, lumber... etc.. and the open bed floor is a nice place to put a spare tire when wheelin. Thanks for all the help, I'd still like to hear everyone elses opinions!
As far as the rollbar, I dunno if you guys understood me the first time I said, its staying the way it is, I ain't buildin another or messin with the one I have, I have to haul dirt bikes, parts, engines, lumber... etc.. and the open bed floor is a nice place to put a spare tire when wheelin. Thanks for all the help, I'd still like to hear everyone elses opinions!
#12
Hey just to give you some more ideas
I built my own custom bed as well, after completly destroying the old bed from rocks and trees.
Pros about my bed
Its tough! A tree or rock doesn't hurt it, I actually don't worry about stuff too much once my cab is clear.
Its street legal because the wheel well covers the tire, brake,turn,license lights work, and I have mud flaps.
Everything is locked down no loose stuff to fall out
One of kind never seen truck like mine out there so its mine
Cons about my bed
I built the bottom out of wood, its been through one winter and its not holding up well will need to remedy soon.
Hauling stuff is an issue every thing must be strapped down and getting 4 - 35"+ tires loaded is a pain or loading a motor is tricky, really anything becomes a PITA if you don't design it for hauling and you need to haul.
Weight was an issue I built mine too light so the rear end was like a pogo stick, have to pack 250 lbs of sand to even it out.
Accommodations for a tool box and roll protection is still an issue
One flaw I do see in your design is the flat wheel wells most of those type of designs end up getting rub issues when on the trail. I have seen guys raise it with body pucks but then your loading height is compromised.
I would design wheel wells of some sort.
Good times happy fabrications!


I built my own custom bed as well, after completly destroying the old bed from rocks and trees.
Pros about my bed
Its tough! A tree or rock doesn't hurt it, I actually don't worry about stuff too much once my cab is clear.
Its street legal because the wheel well covers the tire, brake,turn,license lights work, and I have mud flaps.
Everything is locked down no loose stuff to fall out
One of kind never seen truck like mine out there so its mine
Cons about my bed
I built the bottom out of wood, its been through one winter and its not holding up well will need to remedy soon.
Hauling stuff is an issue every thing must be strapped down and getting 4 - 35"+ tires loaded is a pain or loading a motor is tricky, really anything becomes a PITA if you don't design it for hauling and you need to haul.
Weight was an issue I built mine too light so the rear end was like a pogo stick, have to pack 250 lbs of sand to even it out.
Accommodations for a tool box and roll protection is still an issue
One flaw I do see in your design is the flat wheel wells most of those type of designs end up getting rub issues when on the trail. I have seen guys raise it with body pucks but then your loading height is compromised.
I would design wheel wells of some sort.
Good times happy fabrications!
#13
I liked the reversed bob bed too.


http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showt...ht=reverse+bob
I think you should find a bed off a old chevy luv or older toyota truck bob it and put it on your truck.
It would look cool. See it's still a functional bed.


http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showt...ht=reverse+bob
I think you should find a bed off a old chevy luv or older toyota truck bob it and put it on your truck.
It would look cool. See it's still a functional bed.
Last edited by 934rnr; Feb 21, 2009 at 02:49 PM.
#14
Pretty cool lookin flat bed! I won't have to worry about rubbing too much, I have a 3" body lift so I will be building the flat bed frame off the pucks, and doing a 2" suspension lift so I'll have roughly 10-12" between tire and bed and she don't flex too much.
I can always figure somethin out!
I can always figure somethin out!
#15
Bobbing in any way shape, or form just looks ugly and retarded to me, I'd rather have a dented beat up bed then a short armored one!
Dunno why.. Dents dont bother me, rust does and my bed is SHOT.
Dunno why.. Dents dont bother me, rust does and my bed is SHOT.
#16
I liked the reversed bob bed too.


http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showt...ht=reverse+bob
I think you should find a bed off a old chevy luv or older toyota truck bob it and put it on your truck.
It would look cool. See it's still a functional bed.


http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showt...ht=reverse+bob
I think you should find a bed off a old chevy luv or older toyota truck bob it and put it on your truck.
It would look cool. See it's still a functional bed.
I've been looking high and low for a bed for my '88. I have been avoiding the flat bed, but it never dawned on me to do this style. My bed is solid except for in front of and behind the wheel wells. The inside of the bed is solid too, had a teanua cover on it its whole life. Thanks 93 appreciate the pics!
#19





