Flatbed build

[1971ford]

[r3vo_3vom]

thats got me wanting a f250 with a wood flat bed. great looking truck

[TheEskimo]

Man that looks awesome

[BRUTUS_T_HOG]

that looks great. i saved some of these pics for my own designs.

you gonna put some expanded metal behind the back window? my dad made his flatbed like that and it saved the window from getting broken many times

[fireguywtc]

Fantastic work! That may be something I need to do in the future for my truck.

[1971ford]

Thanks!

Yeah i'll do something in front of the window but i dont know what yet. I like having it open but i also like having a window in one piece.

Bill, I think it would look great on your highboy
I'm going to be lifting the truck 2-4" with black rims and 35" BFG's very soon so you'll have a pretty good idea of what it would look like on your truck, except that your truck is white and mine is red/white (right now).

[1971ford]

Sides double as a dirt bike ramp, and another ramp with steps for you to walk your bike up if it can't be ridden up.

[fireguywtc]

I just realized you are missing something. Some big ol mudflaps for that thing. would be cool! Oh yeah and black wheels are were its at.

[1971ford]

Yeah i might do mudflaps, we'll see. I don't really like mudflaps that much. But cops would probably appreciate them

Yeah... black wheel club! Every stud on the truck is super short, putting the aluminum rims on is borderline sketchy, so i'll be running steel black rims. Probably soft 8's or something similiar

[dolinick]

Looking really good!

[KF100TK]

Truck looks great
Where did you get that ford sticker?
Just wanted to give you my on your head rack i would raise your cross bar up
to protect your cab better if you carry anything long. I carry 20' rebar all the time so it was something
i wanted to mention. In my neck of the woods we also have to have marker lights on each corner.

[jzjames]

[ Image ]
Looking really good!

Yeah, best pic. Thanks for the pics on building it. It'll help alot of guys.

[robroy]

Good morning Ryan,

I've been following all of your flatbed updates, and I'm really impressed with the quality and functionality of your finished product. As for the time it took you to do this, I can't say I'm impressed at that--I'm outright amazed. The experience you've built since beginning this hobby and occupation has really added up to a special ability that few guys ever develop.

I really like the giant Ford logo you put on the cab guard! And the bends in the rail that goes along the top of the guard look seamless and perfect.

Here's my question: how has your driving visibility changed since replacing your box with this flatbed? Is it more fun to back in to tight spaces since you're able to see more? Also, it seems like some factory boxes sort of bang around and make some racket while you're driving on rough roads--does your new flatbed sound different?

Thanks for all of the quality photos and frequent updates,
Robroy

[1971ford]

Thanks guys!
it seems like 99% of people like it (unless the others are just hiding). I get compliments every day on it.

KF100TK,
I thought about putting that bar higher when i built that part but decided against it. I don't like the look of that bar being taller than the whole truck. If i am going to carry tubing as is with one end of the tube on the rear of the flatbed (once i get a tailgate whipped up) and the other on that bar it will clear the cab. If i build a removable rear hoop that allows me to carry long sticks like a typical lumber rack then i will make a simple 2x4 piece the width of the top of the headache rack with two 2x4 stubs on the bottom that will slide onto the current stubs, raising that bar over the cab.
I got the Ford sticker from an offroad swap meet. I had to have them... and they were only $5 for 4


I wish i got more pics a long the way for you guys but i forgot the camera twice.


Robroy,
Thanks, it did go together rather quickly. Driving it with just the bare flatbed frame was indeed annoying though. It seemed like every person that saw my truck said "what happened to the bed". Now they're all saying 'that looks great"


Driving visibility is much better, this is a nice advantage i have discovered in the past 2 days. Even with the sides on, it's much better. No tailgate either so i can see right behind the truck.
I drove around with the sides off for a day (I think I'll drive with no sides unless i plan on using them, just to keep them nice) and it was even better. The visibility was fantastic. No little ricer cars can hide in my blind spots.

The noise factory is another HUGE bonus i've discovered!
I have been 4-wheeling with my buddies every other weekend lately and they're trucks are pretty dang quite while driving over all the nasty ruts while my truck sounded like i was hauling a load of scrap across them.

Today when i went on my jeep recovery mission over nasty ruts I realized that it was no longer noisy! ALL the noise is GONE!
The truck is very quite and sounds extremely solid off-road now. No more embarrassment.

[jzjames]

Yup looks great. I know youre thinking about what color youre gonna paint the cab.
I think you should copy that orange!