i have a flatbed ready to install. I now have to remove my old bed. I have this idea but want others who have done it to chime in. I was thinking of using a chain hoist to attach the four points of the bed raise it up, drive out truck, drag out old bed with backhoe raise up new flat bed with same hoist back truck under and slowly set it on. this will be a one man job so slow going is better I think. i have a machine shed with a header that I can attach the hoist to. 2nd idea was to attach the to four points and use backhoe to slowly lift up (I am afraid of the swinging effect though so i lean more to the hoist idea) I plan on setting a piece of plywood between the bed and cab as a protector as well.
thanks jeff

 

Sounds like you got it. Do the fuel tank mods as well. Once the beds off it is easy.

 

Hoist flatbed....use backhoe to barely lift old bed, then drive away and park under flatbed 😉

 

Spray bolts several times ahead of time. "Sometimes" they are extremely hard to remove due to corrosion.