My Flatbed Swap

[Burritoboi5]

Well I decided I want to flatbed my truck.

Here's the truck as she sits now



I picked this up last sunday



And I want a wooden bed so I cut out the diamond plate deck



Got rid of some of the headache rack too.



Then sandblasted and primered it.



Hoping to maybe pull the bed off tomorrow. I also need another day to finish spraying the black paint on the bed. I ordered 2 inch red oak for the bed, and am edging it in 2 inch x quarter band metal that I welded on already. More pictures to come as it progresses.

New wheels should be in this week....tire place screwed two of mine up and couldn't find replacements so they bought me a new set. Also putting a 3 inch spacer in the rear to avoid tire rub under load.

-Kriv

[bmoeller]

I highly recommend adding skirting on the flatbed. Will lose plenty of mileage. My 97 lost 4-5mpg with the aluminum one I had. I still prefer a flatbed, but that kind of mileage hit is more than I want again. Since I don't really do any farmwork anymore, and spend most of my time pulling a bullrack or being in the shop, I don't need one like I used when I was.

Have the same rims on my truck now. Kinda partial to the Classic Alcoas, but these were priced just right, and I wanted something a bit different. Plus, I can get my hand in and remove the inner valve stem cap without any trouble.

[Burritoboi5]

Why the the strong preference to skirting? Just curious, I rather like the look of the slim bed. I will be adding two tool boxes in front of the wheels in any case.

-Steve

[bmoeller]

Just because of the crappy areodynamics of it. Very dirty air that kills the mileage.

May need to tweak the filler as well. Mine didn't have enough fall, so I had to use wood blocks up front.

[KurtzN1]

Very nice progress so far. I'd also recommend skirting for aero at least a little.

[Burritoboi5]

Got the flatbed frame all painted today. Pulling the bed off the truck tonight.

[Burritoboi5]

Well it took about an hour and a half, but I got the bed off. Maybe try to sandblast and prime it tomorrow if I have time.

'

-Kriv

[PToombs]

Loks like somebody is horny! You should have those facing the other way!

[oldestof11]

I have been thinking about putting a flat bed on my truck..

[Burritoboi5]

Thanks gents.

Well I got it all sandblasted, dropped the tank, pulled the shocks, the whole shebang.

Then primed/sealed/and undercoated with truck bedliner.



I also went ahead and redid the rear brake lines, hard and soft. Just left the ABS crap out. I mounted up my horns, and ran some of the wiring. Tomorrow I hope to finish my wiring and mount my rear lights as well as get some more woodworking done.

Here's what I have, just rough cut red oak 2 inch actual thickness.



After a lot of sanding with the 4 inch belt sander I get this....



That's with two coats of tung oil. Going to apply 6-8 before it sees the light of day.

And here's a closeup. The pictures don't do the wood justice.



Kriv

[ellis93]

Beautiful! I love the look of oak wood,I'd tear up the first time I slid something in there tho

[Burritoboi5]

Yea haha I'll probably carry a moving blanket with me to keep her looking sharp atleast for a bit.

Today I was able to complete all the wiring in the ass end of the truck. Got my new lights mounted and functioning as well as auxilary reverse lights. Also got my trailer wiring and running lights loomed and ready to go for the flatbed. I bled the brakes while I had someone to give me a hand. And put in another board. Lastly, I was able to cut my stack down to the proper height. It needs more finish grinding and paint as well as provisions for my flame thrower.


Tomorrow I will fix the cab corner and primer the rear of the truck so I can prep it for paint before the bed goes on. Then hopefully knock out some more of the wood and start in on my exhaust. If all goes well I would like to put the bed on saturday.

-Kriv

[little doug]

The bed is looking good ! I also like your M715 ! I see it says cummins on the side .

[Hansen01]

Flamethrower? Lets see some pics of that when you get to it

[cmann250]

Flamethrower? Lets see some pics of that when you get to it

He had a thread titled something like "Super High EGTs" a while ago