Wooden flatbed for a pick-up truck

**Twigg** · 07-11-2012, 03:31 PM

I'm trying to squeeze another couple of years out of my truck. The bed is rotting off, but the cab is fine. Everything else is mechanically sound. I have enough woodworking knowledge / tools to do this. I'm planning on P/T 4X4's for the frame and P/T 2X8 for the bed. Stainless bolts / washers / nuts to secure frame to the bed and countersunk stainless lag bolts / washers to secure 2X8's to 4X4's.

I know to leave enough room for rear suspension travel. Planning on fabricating cab height sides with a low tailgate and something like a "ladder rack" so I can toss the canoe up top, so I guess that's a bit more than a flatbed.

OEM tail lights boxed in sideways under the rear edge. Will hang oversize mudflaps from underneath the flatbed.

I miss anything ? Anyone got any pointers ?

**Spanz** · 07-11-2012, 03:35 PM

someone once told me there is a junk yard, somewhere near Lowell, that had un-used truck beds for sale. Apparently, when someone orders a custom bed, the truck often comes with the standard bed and the dealer replaces it, and then is stuck with a brand new bed to throw away.

**Twigg** · 07-11-2012, 03:37 PM

Quite the drive for me, and no way to get it here.

Besides, I'm a cheap bastard.

**GM-GUY** · 07-11-2012, 03:37 PM

Amherst-Oakham Auto Salvage in Oakham MA is very good for parts

**Boghog1** · 07-11-2012, 03:39 PM

use some angle iron from a bed to tie in the ends of the boards. also look into the old pickup bed metal connecting slats to cover the gaps if you are so inclined. There used to be a truck running around locally that had a nice bed made out of aluminum IIRC I'll take a trip by and see if it is still in the same neighborhood and post some pics. Can I ask what type of truck?

**Twigg** · 07-11-2012, 03:42 PM

Don't have a welder, that's why I'm making one out of wood.
Was gonna do a half-lap joint to set the 2X8's into the 4X4's. Probably shoulda said that.

FWIW, it's a Ranger.

**Glockaholic** · 07-11-2012, 03:46 PM

build it strong enough to protect the cab if anything slides forward, and putting the lights under the bed might require some sort of marker light on the rear corners since the tail lights are no longer there to do that job.

Ground the filler neck from the top to the frame using a braided ground strap.

**Twigg** · 07-11-2012, 03:53 PM

Originally Posted by Glockaholic

build it strong enough to protect the cab if anything slides forward, and putting the lights under the bed might require some sort of marker light on the rear corners since the tail lights are no longer there to do that job.

Ground the filler neck from the top to the frame using a braided ground strap.

Yeah, some kinda "Headache rack" would be a good idea, same for marker lights and grounding strap.

**Bill Katt** · 07-11-2012, 04:02 PM

Sounds about right. Don't go too wide (oversize load) & you'll probably need to mount the fuel filler neck to the underside of the bed if the fuel tank is on the frame. Could also put a couple of tractor lights on the front rack for extra lighting when backing up or something.

**stencil** · 07-11-2012, 04:31 PM

Stake pockets and recessed cleats.
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Wooden flatbed for a pick-up truck

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Wooden flatbed for a pick-up truck

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