Flatbed build

[mybros71]

We always make ours out of 3/16 sheet, sheared and formed into a modified "c" channel which incorporates a shelf for the wood to sit on. After the perimeter, including the rear face, is formed and tacked square, the cross members lock in between the shelf and the bottom leg or return; whatever you wanna call it. We always make the shelf deep enough that you can secire the boards with a piece of flat-bar across the front and rear. Ill scrape up a pic if you're interested.

[1971ford]

Id love to see a picture if you can get one.

I was planning on the flat bar across the top to secure the boards too. Then 4 bolts and the boards are out

[1971ford]

Flatbed is mostly done. Entire frame structure, 4 beefy frame mounts (bolt on with 9/16 grade 8's), paint. It's on the truck now, just need to simply lay the boards in.
Then It just needs all the bells and whistles (headache rack, stake pockets, wood sides, fuel tanks, toolboxes, oh and lights...

Unfortunately i am not going to have time to post pics until sunday! Going to so-cal tomorrow....

[fbomb100]

can't wait for pic's I going and because I can't wait

[67mann]

You can't just leave us hangin like this Ryan

[1971ford]

ok got back from the 8 hour drive a couple hours ago, snapped a pic of the truck for you guys
I should have much better pictures tomorrow showing how it's built and such.

So after 2 full days of fabrication at the welding shop this is where it's at. It's ready for wood. But i just spent all my money at a huge offroad swapmeet for racetruck parts so im going to be driving it like this for a while.
Taped on taillights? Check.
String holding license plate on? Check.
Nothing to cover wheels to attract cops? check.
Ordering 4 oval trailer lights but like i said it will be a while
Picked up a trailer hitch today for a dentside that im going to modify to fit.

Still on the list:
wood deck, wood stake sides, headache rack, rear light panel/lights, hitch, tie down rings and toolbox/gastank stuff.

[Caseys71]

, Looks pretty sweet! I'm really digging the look of taped on tail-lights . Can't wait to see what it looks like when you get the floor down and the rest of the fab work done.

[1971ford]

Alrighty so here are some specs. Ask all the questions you want.

Tubing on the entire flatbed is 2x4 .120. I got it for 3.40 a foot. I ordered 2 sticks of 20 feet (40 feet total) for $140. Then I used almost a full 20 foot stick we had at the shop. Then the rear mount is C-channel we had in stock. It's a beefy C-channel held in by 4 9/16 grade 8 bolts. Beefy because i might be putting clevis tow points off of it or something. Front mounting points are i believe 3/16" corners of a tube, welded to the flatbed frame, with 9/16 grade 8 nuts welded inside so all i have to do is slip the bolts through the frame (factor holes) into the nuts. It took me literally 5 minutes to position and bolt down the flatbed.
Outer perimeter of the frame is raised 1.5" from the main structure, so the outside tubes are flush with the 2x6's (actually measure out to 1.5x5.5". I will be using 13 boards). I cross measured the outside frame and after tack welding, it was dead on perfectly square. ALL tube ends are capped so no water can get inside.
I was going to use the outer frame as an air tank but a buddy brought up a good point that condensation would rust my flatbed out over time.

Right now the flatbed isn't light but it isn't heavy. My buddy and i were moving it around and pulling it off/putting it on ourselves. And he is 5'8" and probably 110 pounds...
with headache rack, rear panel and wood, it will be a tad heavier than a normal bed i bet. but if i pull the wood out it would probably be lighter than a box bed.







Rear still needs the cover panel to make it look clean, it will also be where the lights and license plate mount. License plate is probably going to be hinged for fuel tank access. Should be pretty neat.


I had a random 2x12 laying around that i use for a dirtbike ramp so i through it on just for fun. Its going to look pretty good once i get the wood!


The highboy is getting 35" BFG TA's, i think the flatbed will fit the truck better (visually i mean. There arn't any clearance issues at all) when i get the tires mounted


I like this spare tire spot, but it pretty much eliminates the gas tank/toolbox space in front of wheel on this side.


I'm not sure what i am doing for spare mounting. Might do something like this mounted off the headache rack (keep in mind this truck is a chase truck for the off-road racing bump, so by mounting 2 35" BFG TA's there i can use them as spares for the highboy OR the race truck). But his might look ridiculous. Can't tell for sure without the headache rack yet.

[1971ford]

Made the headache rack today and picked up all the wood. 13 2x6x8 treated boards for the deck, 2 more for sides, and some 2x4 for stakes.

[1971ford]

Welded angle iron in to support the wood at the ends


2x3 for main headache rack tubes. I had to pie-cut each tube twice for the bends.



headache rack mostly done, wood just sitting on the bed as mock-up

I have the trailer hitch i picked up, ready to be modified and bolted up and re-inforced more for towing the race truck. Then I'll start on the rear panel. Still need oval lights and hinged license plate frame.

Thoughts so far? I still don't know what i think of the whole flatbed thing and i won't know for a while but I think it will be pretty cool.
It has taken more money and time than i originally thought but it's coming out pretty sweet.

[basketcase0302]

Looking good Ryan.

[jzjames]

I see you know how to achieve the look youre after. Sign of a good craftsman. Looks great.

[70_F100]

Alrighty so here are some specs. Ask all the questions you want.

My buddy and i were moving it around and pulling it off/putting it on ourselves. And he is 5'8" and probably 110 pounds

I was that way once, but no longer...

[1971ford]

Thanks guys

Today i only had 10 minutes of free time so i cut 3/4 of the deck boards to length and set them in.

It's looking good.....
I'll have the rest of the boards in tomorrow, stake pockets, sides made, finish painting headache rack and a big Ford sticker is waiting to go on

[1971ford]

I've been busy...



Better pics of the headache rack



2 x 3/16" strap steel and 2x4 tube as stake pockets and double as tie-downs.




Cut the rest of the deck boards to length and set them in. I figured it wouldn't come out perfetly... i was right, the last board doesn't fit.
Part of the problem is because the boards are treated (soaking wet) then got rained on. So all 13 boards are wider than they should be. I still need to slice the board a litte

Then i picked up carriage bolt and put together my sides



Then i mounted some oval trailer/flatbed lights


I'm liking the flatbed so far!