homemade wood bed

ranger7489 · Post by **ranger7489** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 6:14 pm

Im takeing the bed off my truck to make it into a flat bed. I was working on the body work on the trucks bed but Its just not big unuff for me. I hall 4wheelers and tractors alot and i need something i can fit on it. So i came up with the idea to take off the bed and run salt treated 4x4's across the frame rails to make a wood flat bed with no sides. I plan on just installing some led trailer lights on the back and haveing a slide out ramp like u-haul trucks have. I really dident want to but the bed is loose and unsafe. Expecally with a 4wheeler in the back. My question is has anyone done this?

Clarko · Post by **Clarko** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 6:26 pm

A buddy of my parent's has. I really don't know what he did to do it. If I'm over there within the next week, I'll take some pics but no promises.

72hiboy4x4 · Post by **72hiboy4x4** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 7:41 pm

its fairly easy to find & buy or build a flatbed for these trucks, if you have the equipment.
I'm slowly building one for my truck, it will be made from 4" and 3" channel iron for the most part.
With a steel diamond plate deck, it will last for many years of hard use. here's a pic of a work in progress. you can see the main channels, and the crossbeams that are in so far.

of course, mine is custom built and only 6'x6'.

If you build with wood, use all pressure treated lumber for long life. Use marine plywood for the deck, if you don't go with hardwood lumber.
To get a flat deck, you only need to raise the main beams 1" on the front and rear, with the appropriate bracing/mounts to support it in the middle.

ranger7489 · Post by **ranger7489** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 11:51 pm

Is there a way i can turn my truck into a dually too to increase the payload?

ranger7489 · Post by **ranger7489** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 11:51 pm

Nevermind the last poast. I found a website!

72hiboy4x4 · Post by **72hiboy4x4** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 6:13 am

the truck above was a single wheel. I took a '71 F-350 dana 70 axle and swapped it in.
the yoke bolts up, the 1 ton springs bolt up, the spring U-bolts aren't long enough, so custom ones were made. I accidently tossed the U-bolt backing plates for the D-70, so I had to get different ones and modify them. the D70 originals should work fine.

I would avoid plain adapters. they don't hold up to heavy payloads as well as stock stuff

BTW I have a grand total of $150 into that dually conversion.

72hiboy4x4 · Post by **72hiboy4x4** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 6:16 am

and for the most part. until you really start getting into max GVW loads, dually wheels are pretty much for load stability. not load capacity. Single wheel trucks can carry almost as much as a dually, but have more sidewall flex to them. And a better chance of a catastrophic blow-out.

EDIT: I should have mentioned that single wheel trucks, with the right load rated tires, will carry almost as much as a dual wheel truck.

ranger7489 · Post by **ranger7489** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 12:54 pm

wow, thats not bad at all for 150!! There is another reason why im doing it....it looks cool as hell

I love dualys. My friend has a 99 F350 with a gas V10, not a dually but its a pretty fast truck. When you get up on her you can almost hear the gas being sucked in the cylinders!!

Hes got 33"s on it now, He's lifting it another 4inches for his christmas present to himself and putting on 35-36's.