flatbed improvement

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Mar 6, 2013 | 05:17 PM

abe

Thread Starter

Fleet Owner

Joined: Dec 2000

Posts: 25,410

Likes: 5,421

From: Central PA

flatbed improvement

Today I got rid of the heavy steel side rack holders the PO put on. I found them ugly, unsightly, and they created a blind spot in the side view mirrors. I simply put a 2x4 stake in the last stake pocket and bolted the 2x8 to it. I made the stake high enough to add another 2x8. As big as this bed is (8x12) I really doubt I will need more than 2 2x8's per side to haul stuff. I have entertained the idea of adding a 2x8 on each side that goes just halfway back if I need it, if I haul a lot of mulch. I think I want to get rid of the metal rack holder at the front too, later, by putting a stake in the front most stake pocket.

Now if the weather ever warms up here in Central PA I need to paint the stakes, and the part of the bed that was covered by the rack holders. I also have to sand off the peeling paint and repaint the headboard.
Here are pics of before and after:
Before:
[IMG]<a href="http://s1146.beta.photobucket.com/user/abestauffer/media/ford%20trucks/1970brakelightsc_zps43544851.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o536/abestauffer/ford%20trucks/1970brakelightsc_zps43544851.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 1970brakelightsc_zps43544851.jpg"/></a>[/IMG]

After:
[IMG]

[/IMG]

Mar 6, 2013 | 10:05 PM

crazed87bronco

Logistics Pro

Joined: Nov 2003

Posts: 4,371

Likes: 7

From: PA

Like the stake bed looks better without that plate at the rear corners and sure looks like it would create a blind spot. Where at in central pa are you?