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Anybody have pics or threads of their OBS flatbed build? My OBS F-150 bed has seen better days due to hauling firewood, a deer and a lot of Illinois salt. I'm kind of leaning toward a homemade wood bed. Just because I've seen a few that have turned out really nice and they're not as conventional.
Anybody have pics or threads of their OBS flatbed build? My OBS F-150 bed has seen better days due to hauling firewood, a deer and a lot of Illinois salt. I'm kind of leaning toward a homemade wood bed. Just because I've seen a few that have turned out really nice and they're not as conventional.
You are on the right track. The one downside of flatbeds is that they are often heavy. That said, there are many things you can do RE options and materials to keep the weight down.
Here's a flatbed I made for a '96 OBS F350. It was lighter than most steel beds.
@bobr123 looks good. Does it have a wood deck? I can't quite tell by the picture. And how do you have your filler neck setup? I know what you mean by flatbeds being heavy. Thinking about building a mostly wood bed, but both wood and steel are outrageous right now so it will bite you in the rear either way lol.
@bobr123 looks good. Does it have a wood deck? I can't quite tell by the picture. And how do you have your filler neck setup? I know what you mean by flatbeds being heavy. Thinking about building a mostly wood bed, but both wood and steel are outrageous right now so it will bite you in the rear either way lol.
That bed had a (relatively) thin steel "tread plate" deck. Filler necks (dual tanks) on that bed were carried over from previous bed.
One thing you could try for your bed is a steel/wood hybrid. Steel frame would provide structure and wood decking would save a little weight and look good. I'm thinking about doing just that on a bed I plan to build soon.
I drew up the deck part of the bed in Sketchup to verify fit and dimensions:
Outer perimeter is 4" angle. "main beams" down the center are 6" C-channel. Decking will be either oak or vinyl deck boards, but could use treated ply to save weight.
That bed had a (relatively) thin steel "tread plate" deck. Filler necks (dual tanks) on that bed were carried over from previous bed.
One thing you could try for your bed is a steel/wood hybrid. Steel frame would provide structure and wood decking would save a little weight and look good. I'm thinking about doing just that on a bed I plan to build soon.
I drew up the deck part of the bed in Sketchup to verify fit and dimensions:
Outer perimeter is 4" angle. "main beams" down the center are 6" C-channel. Decking will be either oak or vinyl deck boards, but could use treated ply to save weight.
Good luck, and post a picture when you are done!
That's what I'm looking to do with my '62 4x4 F100. I want to also set it up to use detachable side boards as well.
That's what I'm looking to do with my '62 4x4 F100. I want to also set it up to use detachable side boards as well.
Sounds good Been.
Make sure and post a picture or two. Those early 60s Fords are cool looking trucks.
This weekend I picked up (most of) the steel that I'll need to make a new bed. As discussed above, steel flatbeds are sure heavy, so with your F100, you should try to keep it as light as possible.
For the heck of it, I think I'll put a 45 degree angle at each of the rear corners. That appears to be what all the cool kids are doing these days (haha), and it might save me a little pain in sensitive areas if I bump into the corner compared to the sharp 90 corners.
FYI, for this rather minimal bed (no tool boxes, small headache rack (only to bottom of rear window), and selecting the lightest weight components when there are options available), I'm at about 650 pounds, and that doesn't include the deck!
Main frame is "light weight" 6" C-channel. Perimeter is 4 x 4 x 0.25 angle. cross members are 2 x 2 x 0.12 angle, except for the pair of cross members that will support the gooseneck hitch. Will use 2 x 2 x 0.18 tube there.
So it's been "done" for awhile so I guess I'll post some pics 4x4 frame with ⁵/⁴ deck The wood is torched slightly then coated with ⅓ diesel ⅔ waste moter oil (roughly) The skirting is 14 gauge diamond tread, 8" long. It came rusted and i liked the look, so i clear coated it, to seal it. The lights are wired together, and i have temporary reverse lights, till i get a bumper made up, and mount them permanently. The hitch will get a custom cut and move, to hide it Ill try to get better pics.
I'm sure that you'll get a lot of good use out of your great new bed.
My '96 OBS had the same issue with the fuel fills needing to come through the deck to allow sufficient slope of the fuel fill hoses to the tank (see photo in post #2 above). Wondering if with yours, it might be a good idea to put a low horse-shoe shaped "curb" around your fuel fill caps to prevent something from sliding over and smashing the plastic caps? With your wood deck (less slick than steel), this might not be necessary...
@bobr123 I get what you're saying. The necks are mounted (zip tied) high at the moment. Eventually they will be mounted flush or slightly lower, but I have to build a bracket for them.
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(haha), and it might save me a little pain in sensitive areas if I bump into the corner compared to the sharp 90 corners.
