Getting to the point that even with the bumper I built last summer I'm tired of the long rear of my rig so I figure my options are bob the bed or tube it out (I'm not a huge fan of dove tailing). I'll be building sliders this summer as well. If I bob the bed I'll make a cage/hoop over the cab that ties into the sliders and back into the shock mounts that will be through the bed. I'll also run tube along the wheel well back to the bumper. Figure I'd get your opinion on the two, any advice or comments are appreciated. Thanks!







http://s169.photobucket.com/albums/u...t=IMG_0469.jpg

 

That truck will look sweet with a tube bed.

Robb

 

What make is that cap on there? I like it.

 

remove the bed. That way, you don't have anything permanent that you will have to live with.

 

No opinion here, but what are the specs on your truck? Very clean. I like it.

 

22re

D.T. Header with 2 1/4 tube, free-flow cat & turbo muffler

3" T.G. SAS (reworked the front end a bunch moving the front axle forward 6")
(easily enough room for 40's)

1.5" Wheel spacers

15x8 2" b.s. steelies with 37" MTR's (was running 38.5" Sx's but I have to DD)

5.29's, aussie front, lockright rear (V6 diff)

4.7 T-case gears

Here's the build up thread:

http://www.planet4x4.net/forums/toyo...-toyota-2.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DZ2m9PKrps

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2EO8TH1Xxo&feature=user

 

go with the tube!! then exo.

 

I say bob the bed, and repaint the whole thing. Sweet loking rig but that hood aint doing you justice. But, either route you take, make to post a buildup thread and take lotsa pictures

 

why worry about sheet metal? tube it!

 

If you bobbed it, stretched the fenderwells monster truck style, and kept the shell on it, but shortened it, it would be pretty sweet.

 

I like the look of the bobbed bed, but I'm also a big fan of flat beds, especially the All-Pro style. Either way you good will look great IMO.

Where are you? AZ? I wish I were closer, I'd be interested in buying your truck cap.

***OOPS!** I see from your plates you're in Nevada. How close to Fallon?

 

any info/specs on the tan second gen pickup in the last photo?

o and bob your bed, looks better than tube bed

 

The Tan 4-runner:

85'

22re

dual cases with 5:1's in the rear case.

Budbuild crossmember

Allpro 5" springs

5.29's, ausies

Longfields

OTT Hysteer with D44 knuckle studs

30 spline Longfield axles

15 x 8 2" b.s. steelies with 1" wheelspacers front and rear, 37" Trxus Mt's

My truck:

93'

22re

D.T. Header with free-flow 2 1/4" exhaust

4.7 t-case gears

15x8 2" b.s. steelies with 37" MTR's (was running 38.5" sx's with TON's of room)

3" T.G. SAS (modified ~ 6" forward from stock)

Bumper I built last summer

5.29's Aussie front, lockright rear (V6 diff)

http://www.planet4x4.net/forums/toyo...as-toyota.html (Build up)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DZ2m9PKrps (Offroad vid)

 

Depends on how you use the truck. Seeing that you have a topper on the bed leads me to believe you actually carry stuff back there on occassion, so I would bob it. Leaves you with a functional storage space, just less of it.

Tube bed or even flatbed are not real practical IMHO.

 

I second TC's opinion. I love the look of a tube bed, but one reason I bought my Trekker was so that I would have a dry place for stuff on the trail..Bobbing both the bed and the cap would be pretty straight forward. Than you still have the option of the canopy during the winter...

Both of those trucks are some nice set ups...

 

I'm really torn because I do use my truck quite a bit offroad and don't shy away from serious abuse but at the same time I use the bed quite a bit for camping and hauling stuff around... hmm... at this point I'm leaning towards bobbing the bed fairly short and making a new rear bumper along with sliders. Then I'm thinking of running some tube along the bed to connect the two. I'm also considering a hoop just behind the cab that will tie into shock mounts that will be in the bed... hmm...

 

hmmm..

 

By the time you bob it and put a shock frame in there, you may as well tube it because there will be NO space left.

The other option is to protect it really well. My rear bumper goes under the back like sliders, and the fender hoop/miniexo do a GREAT job of keeping me out of trouble back there ...

 

I bobbed my bed and cut down the tonneau cover to fit, worked out great. I've seen a few tube beds packed with utility boxes which I think looked very cool, but I am sure they weigh a ton. Bobbing your bed doesn't require buying steel either. You can always do a tube bed later if the bobbed bed isn't your thing.

 

Stupid question but what is bobbing the bed? Cutting the back part of it off??