Flatbed mounting
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2008
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From: lakeland, Tn
Flatbed mounting
I'm purchasing a Bradford built flatbed on Monday and mounting it myself. I am mechanically inclined and weld on the farm here. I have a 99 CC SB SRW 4x4 4" lift 35's and was looking for suggestions preferably with some pics for how anyone has mounted their beds. thanks
5th Wheeling
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 25
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From: Tucson
My F450 Upfitter installed flatbed sits on a 2X4 on top of the frame and is mounted with multiple tabs running vertically and bolted thru the side of the frame, as well as the hitch is welded to the back end of the frame.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2017
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I'm purchasing a Bradford built flatbed on Monday and mounting it myself. I am mechanically inclined and weld on the farm here. I have a 99 CC SB SRW 4x4 4" lift 35's and was looking for suggestions preferably with some pics for how anyone has mounted their beds. thanks
As for the flatbed, they aren't all that complicated. They just bolt to the frame and you wire in the new lights, find a new spot for your license plate. I wouldn't weld it to your frame.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 7,793
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The crossmembers on a normal sd bed will make up for the contour of the frame. It aint no slap n go build. If anything, build up a "deck" so that the flatbed will lie true...you either go flatbed or dont. If you do, then you plan to tow/haul which in case, id weld everything...
5th Wheeling
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 25
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From: Tucson
True, I forgot that the pickup frame has a small kickup over the axle VS the 450 Cab and Chassis is flat all the way back.
I would still bolt the flatbed down along the frame similar to what I showed previously, with the appropriate spacers between the frame and the flatbed underframe, then weld the hitch mounts at the back for strength, also consider Airbags for load handling/leveling under load, the bags will not raise your GVWR but will help keep things level and rolling smoothly for better control while rolling.
The tail lights should wire in very similar to wiring a trailer, get the wiring diagram for your year and you should be able to sort it out, if not, post up and we would be glad to assist from our keyboards.
I would still bolt the flatbed down along the frame similar to what I showed previously, with the appropriate spacers between the frame and the flatbed underframe, then weld the hitch mounts at the back for strength, also consider Airbags for load handling/leveling under load, the bags will not raise your GVWR but will help keep things level and rolling smoothly for better control while rolling.
The tail lights should wire in very similar to wiring a trailer, get the wiring diagram for your year and you should be able to sort it out, if not, post up and we would be glad to assist from our keyboards.
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Joined: Sep 2008
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From: lakeland, Tn
1st thing I would do is beef up those rear springs... That backwards rake is not good. A lot of lift kits "level" the truck which is all fine and dandy if it is a grocery getter but if you are hauling 5th wheel or any real weight it's not safe to have the rear end sitting lower than the front like that loaded. It effects handling and stopping pretty significantly. Unloaded you want 1.5-2" of rake in the rear. (rear higher than front)
As for the flatbed, they aren't all that complicated. They just bolt to the frame and you wire in the new lights, find a new spot for your license plate. I wouldn't weld it to your frame.
As for the flatbed, they aren't all that complicated. They just bolt to the frame and you wire in the new lights, find a new spot for your license plate. I wouldn't weld it to your frame.
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2008
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From: lakeland, Tn
True, I forgot that the pickup frame has a small kickup over the axle VS the 450 Cab and Chassis is flat all the way back.
I would still bolt the flatbed down along the frame similar to what I showed previously, with the appropriate spacers between the frame and the flatbed underframe, then weld the hitch mounts at the back for strength, also consider Airbags for load handling/leveling under load, the bags will not raise your GVWR but will help keep things level and rolling smoothly for better control while rolling.
The tail lights should wire in very similar to wiring a trailer, get the wiring diagram for your year and you should be able to sort it out, if not, post up and we would be glad to assist from our keyboards.
I would still bolt the flatbed down along the frame similar to what I showed previously, with the appropriate spacers between the frame and the flatbed underframe, then weld the hitch mounts at the back for strength, also consider Airbags for load handling/leveling under load, the bags will not raise your GVWR but will help keep things level and rolling smoothly for better control while rolling.
The tail lights should wire in very similar to wiring a trailer, get the wiring diagram for your year and you should be able to sort it out, if not, post up and we would be glad to assist from our keyboards.
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From: lakeland, Tn
As for the flatbed, they aren't all that complicated. They just bolt to the frame and you wire in the new lights, find a new spot for your license plate. I wouldn't weld it to your frame.[/QUOTE]
The bradford beds and most others have the license plate mount on the rear.
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From: lakeland, Tn
This is what I was hauling with most of the time. I decided it was time to have just one truck and stop paying insurance, maintenance etc on 2 trucks. It was a 93 idi non turbo it did its job but it’s no powerstroke when I comes to pulling in the hills that was part of my decision to part with it also.
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
they should had two different with frame available, make sure you get the one for your truck. the pickup has a wider rear frame section with a hump over the rear axle . the dual rear wheel cab chassis trucks have a narrower rear frame without the "hump".
if you order for a pickup frame, it will make mounting much easier, and should come with the subframe to bolt directly to your pickup frame.
if you order for a pickup frame, it will make mounting much easier, and should come with the subframe to bolt directly to your pickup frame.
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