Im in the process of redoing alot to my 86 4x4 pickup. I've had it for 16 years and im finally rebuilding the engine. It started running funny one night when I was driving home, so i parked it. Just got to tear in to it last week. Had it out since mid summer. Life keeps you busy and so does double shifts. Found a piece of the timing guide in the pan. So Im rebuilding the engine and since Its down Im going to spray it in Raptor liner. My buddy has use Raptor for a few years and done it to a few trucks for people and his own. My question/advice is about the bed. I know one of the corner mounts is rusting on the inside of the bed. So I need to weld that. But ive been thinking and saying its time for a Flatbed. Its not my daily, thats my 03 F350 cause I have to haul kids to grandmas in the morning before work. The Yotas primary function will be offroading/joy riding/hunting, a Toy. If I dont have to haul kids, then ill drive it to work. I just cant decide if I should just do a flat bed or repair the stock bed. I know the stock bed repairs will cost a lot less, figuring $200 plus for the flatbed build. I like having a bed, but love the look of the flat bed. Any advice??

 

I thought about a flat bed for the better part of a decade. Ultimately decided I didn't want to deal with straps just to get a few 2x4's back from Home Depot, although I guess you could build side boards too. I run a lumber rack with rooftop tent, currently with a small porch, and plans for a much larger slide-out porch / awning. Very happy with my setup. The rack makes it easy to add accessories (recovery gear, roadshower, etc). I went with the 2wd style bed; I feel like it gives the truck a retro look. Obviously a personal preference thing.

 

I've debated the same thing for years and always come down to the fact that with bed sides one does not have to secure anything; toss in bed and go, unlike a flatbed which needs everything secured unless one has sides on it. Love the looks of the flatbed but the practicality of a real bed.