Getting a flatbed. Suggestions ? Tips??
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,239
Likes: 104
From: idaho
Getting a flatbed. Suggestions ? Tips??
I'm gonna buy a flatbed off a 78 ford for my 97 CCLB. the width of frame are the same and length is just over 8'. Just wondering what kinda challenges are in store and if there's anything I should watch for. ?? Like the fuel tank necks and wires for lighting. Advantages / dis-advantages. ?? Tips!? Thanks ! Daniel
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,647
Likes: 1
From: Exton, PA
Hey Daniel - good luck with it. Unfortunately I don't have any experience with such a swap, but I'll be stealing the bed off of my gasser 250 for my cc 350 and plant to try to find a flatbed for the naked 250 that results.
Post pics and how you make out if you don't mind.
Good luck!
Post pics and how you make out if you don't mind.
Good luck!
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,452
Likes: 2
From: Santa Fe Tx
My tips are weld it and be done with it. Measure measure measure did I mention to measure? Wiring is simple just wire it up like you would trailer lights. And make sure your rear springs are heavy enough to handle the added wieght. I normally add another leaf or two so it doesnt sag.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,239
Likes: 104
From: idaho
THanks a lot. It's not really all too heavy. And I do have aftermarket lift springs. So it should be ok. ? It has some sort of brackets that set it about 3-4" above the frame for tire clearance I believe. But I'm gonna do it right so I don't have to do it twice. !!!! Measure measure measure
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 534
Likes: 0
From: Quaker Hill
Here's what I started with. Got it for $100. [IMG]
[/IMG]
Here's what I ended with.
[IMG]
[/IMG]
If your handy with a torch and welder, any things possible. Things I ran into problems with;
1.) I was worried the bed would be too low to my tires when fully loaded, so I added another rail to what was there. As a result, I have a pretty good gap between my frame rails and my bed. Maybe 8"? I like it sitting up a little higher, but the gap is funny if you notice it.
2.) my fuel filler neck is a touch too low, so it leaks out a pinhole in the neck every time I full up.
3.) I wish I had cut holes for 2 round lights in each side for brake and blinker lights, for a total of 4 lights on the back. I didn't, so there's only 2.
I used flood lights screwed to my trailer hitch for reverse lights. They work great when I'm plowing! I also ran a wire from a cab switch to them so I can flip them on even when I'm not in reverse. It's a good option to have when I'm running my salt spreader in the night. It allows me to see if salt is still being thrown/how heavy it's coming out. Hopefully that helps a little.
[/IMG]Here's what I ended with.
[IMG]
[/IMG]If your handy with a torch and welder, any things possible. Things I ran into problems with;
1.) I was worried the bed would be too low to my tires when fully loaded, so I added another rail to what was there. As a result, I have a pretty good gap between my frame rails and my bed. Maybe 8"? I like it sitting up a little higher, but the gap is funny if you notice it.
2.) my fuel filler neck is a touch too low, so it leaks out a pinhole in the neck every time I full up.
3.) I wish I had cut holes for 2 round lights in each side for brake and blinker lights, for a total of 4 lights on the back. I didn't, so there's only 2.
I used flood lights screwed to my trailer hitch for reverse lights. They work great when I'm plowing! I also ran a wire from a cab switch to them so I can flip them on even when I'm not in reverse. It's a good option to have when I'm running my salt spreader in the night. It allows me to see if salt is still being thrown/how heavy it's coming out. Hopefully that helps a little.
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,239
Likes: 104
From: idaho
I wanna post a pic of the one I'm planning on buying from my iPhone. But I don't know how to. I'll get one once it's ok my computer. Though.
From what I can see is that the current tow package on the 78 has been fabbed and dropped. But they have a diamond plate sort of deal where the tail lights are. So I'll probably cut it out enough for my tie package cause mines welded on. I'm excited. Gonna keep the bed tho too just in case. And probably going to bolt it on per there's 8 points to bolt it on. !
From what I can see is that the current tow package on the 78 has been fabbed and dropped. But they have a diamond plate sort of deal where the tail lights are. So I'll probably cut it out enough for my tie package cause mines welded on. I'm excited. Gonna keep the bed tho too just in case. And probably going to bolt it on per there's 8 points to bolt it on. !
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Elder User
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 534
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From: Quaker Hill
I always poo pooed the flatbed idea until I got one. They are THE BEST beds to work off of. I can count the number of times on one hand I've had to climb in the back of the truck to reach something. I'm now in the process of changing all the trucks over to them, as long as I can do it economically. They are the best!
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Postmaster
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 3,447
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From: Monroe City in
The one benafit i can see it you dont really have to worry about scratching one. And if you do its nothing a can me rust oleum cant fix. Put lots of tool boxes on there. They sure do come in handy. You can stack tool boxes on a flat bed and still have plenty me useable bed space thats what i like.
Tuned
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 462
Likes: 13
From: Lovettsville, VA
They are also a lot easy to stack lumber on, and haul dirt/gravel (provided you make some side boards). You also never have to worry about water/crap getting in front the wheel wells that can never quite get clean. I've been debating an aluminum one for my 96. What I need is a hide-a-way gooseneck hitch, but I can dream of what I want 
I've never installed one, but used pickups that had them. I did like the really big mud flaps that almost drag the ground. They keep rocks/mud from flying off the wheels and damaging trailers/towed cargo.
I've never installed one, but used pickups that had them. I did like the really big mud flaps that almost drag the ground. They keep rocks/mud from flying off the wheels and damaging trailers/towed cargo.
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 78
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FLATBED is the only bed to have. Tool boxes underside permanently mounted. Plenty of rub rail space for securing loads. Most refab beds I have seen all come with a hideaway gooseneck ball, but if it doesnt you can buy one from Red Neck trailer supply for about 400 bucks and have someone weld it into place.
As far as advice on it I would properly space it. My F250 has 3*3 oak on top of the frame for leveling and spacing over tires. I dont even come close to rubbing my tires even with rubber bumps ON axle. I would also make sure you are careful to install your fill necks. Because your deck is NOT 6.5 feet wide, it will be 8 feet wide it hampers your fill points. Make sure they are straight as possible into the tanks and you can downward slope them best you can. Adding a side vent will really help as well.
As far as advice on it I would properly space it. My F250 has 3*3 oak on top of the frame for leveling and spacing over tires. I dont even come close to rubbing my tires even with rubber bumps ON axle. I would also make sure you are careful to install your fill necks. Because your deck is NOT 6.5 feet wide, it will be 8 feet wide it hampers your fill points. Make sure they are straight as possible into the tanks and you can downward slope them best you can. Adding a side vent will really help as well.
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,554
Likes: 5,590
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
i got this for $500:
and sold what was left of the truck for $500 after removing the bed and putting it on the 04 F-350 4X4 to make this:
not only is it an aluminum flatbed, it also has a dump kit under it
and sold what was left of the truck for $500 after removing the bed and putting it on the 04 F-350 4X4 to make this:
not only is it an aluminum flatbed, it also has a dump kit under it
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,554
Likes: 5,590
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
yup. i sold him the 1979 cab back in 82 for $500 when he built that truck, and told him if he ever sold it i wanted first dibs. after the transfer case fell out of it 5 years ago he called me and offered it to me for the same $500.
the bed never had anything more than some tree clippings in it.
the t-case mounts rotted off the 71 frame, and he did not feel like fixing it.
after i got the bed off i saw the frame was completely rotted out at the rear spring mount. i welded a piece of angle iron in to hold the springs up, and put a 400 lb concrete block on the frame for weight.
then i put an old snow plow blade i had sitting at the body shop on it, because it had all the rest of the plow hookups on it already.
the guy who bought it has a 600 ft long driveway and was tired of freezing on the tractor every time it snowed.
the bed never had anything more than some tree clippings in it.
the t-case mounts rotted off the 71 frame, and he did not feel like fixing it.
after i got the bed off i saw the frame was completely rotted out at the rear spring mount. i welded a piece of angle iron in to hold the springs up, and put a 400 lb concrete block on the frame for weight.
then i put an old snow plow blade i had sitting at the body shop on it, because it had all the rest of the plow hookups on it already.
the guy who bought it has a 600 ft long driveway and was tired of freezing on the tractor every time it snowed.
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,239
Likes: 104
From: idaho
My current stock bed does have a hideaway gooseneck hitch so I'm golden. The previous owner installed it and cut out my truck bed in the center for it so it's a bit ugly. But it works. And the flatbed that I'm getting has a wooden deck so I'll be able to work around having the spot for the gooseneck hitch because I'll replace the wood at some point