Notices

adding an upper overload spring

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 12, 2021 | 09:14 AM
  #31  
WyoBull's Avatar
WyoBull
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 1,033
Likes: 105
From: Casper, Wyoming


I have two 4x6 horse stall mats that I cut to fit my F350's bed and then put a standard bed mat on top of the horse stall mats. It works great. Initially, I just had the standard bed mat and on 2 occasions going down the highway I hit bumps and the bottom of my camper overhang slapped the top of my truck roof. Since adding the horse stall mats, I have not had that happen since. If I remember right, I believe I have about 2 inches of clearance between my roof and bottom of camper overhang. My camper is a 2017 Northern Lite 8.11 SE.
 
Reply
Old Apr 12, 2021 | 10:01 AM
  #32  
Wing Nut Bert's Avatar
Wing Nut Bert
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 449
Likes: 51
The ply/foam sandwich is sort what I have in mind but cutting the base to shape of the bed so it's locked in. Then just make a glued sandwich of 1/4" ply and the foam to the required thickness. Make it two piece, fore and aft. Don't think it'll need a 2x frame. And with lumber being priced like gold right now......
Thinner bed mat on that. Grip tape on one or both sides of the ply/foam riser if needed to stop any sliding. Gonna try to avoid the 3/4" stall mat as it's a pig to wrestle!
 
Reply
Old Apr 12, 2021 | 10:33 AM
  #33  
greenno's Avatar
greenno
Tuned
5 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 385
Likes: 197
From: San Diego
Boy I feel fortunate to only need a single mat in the back that I leave in all the time and no spacers, I got lucky on my combo I guess.
 
Reply
Old Apr 12, 2021 | 12:49 PM
  #34  
AMXDREAMER's Avatar
AMXDREAMER
Fleet Mechanic
5 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 1,305
Likes: 178
From: Vancouver, BC
Originally Posted by greenno
Boy I feel fortunate to only need a single mat in the back that I leave in all the time and no spacers, I got lucky on my combo I guess.
Me too, then again, my camper was designed for the aluminum trucks!

Attachment 280104
 
Reply
Old Apr 12, 2021 | 02:01 PM
  #35  
WyoBull's Avatar
WyoBull
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 1,033
Likes: 105
From: Casper, Wyoming
Originally Posted by Wing Nut Bert
The ply/foam sandwich is sort what I have in mind but cutting the base to shape of the bed so it's locked in. Then just make a glued sandwich of 1/4" ply and the foam to the required thickness. Make it two piece, fore and aft. Don't think it'll need a 2x frame. And with lumber being priced like gold right now......
Thinner bed mat on that. Grip tape on one or both sides of the ply/foam riser if needed to stop any sliding. Gonna try to avoid the 3/4" stall mat as it's a pig to wrestle!
Those horse stall mats are heavy but once it is in, you never have to take it out again. Also, I did not want anything that over time after getting wet will mold, rot etc.. A 4x6 3/4 inch horse stall mat where I live it $43 dollars. A 4x8 3/4 inch piece of plywood is $52 dollars. Lumber is crazy expensive these days.
 
Reply
Old Apr 12, 2021 | 08:49 PM
  #36  
Wing Nut Bert's Avatar
Wing Nut Bert
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 449
Likes: 51
Originally Posted by WyoBull
Those horse stall mats are heavy but once it is in, you never have to take it out again. Also, I did not want anything that over time after getting wet will mold, rot etc.. A 4x6 3/4 inch horse stall mat where I live it $43 dollars. A 4x8 3/4 inch piece of plywood is $52 dollars. Lumber is crazy expensive these days.
I did keep my mat in my current 2500 truck for that reason. And it was fine for my Okanagan as it had a 4x8 bottom footprint and the height gave good clearance.
I have to wait and see with the new '21 F350 and NL 10.2. I think the bottom foot print of the TC may be different and I'll need to see how the cabover to roof clearance is. Al up in the air till then.
If the TC only needs 3/4" of riser in the bed, I may just get a second stall mat (about $60 cdn), turn them side ways and cut them out so the two halves fit around and into the side gaps front and rear of the wheel wells in the bed. ( I have this niggling feeling that the NL bottom footprint extends, at least in the rear, into the extra space rearward of the wheel wells, and needs to have support, but again, not sure on that so waiting to see)
Then a thin truck bed mat like a Dee-Zee on top of that. NL doesn't like their units on stall mats and for warranty reasons, I'm not gonna push the issue of why.
 
Reply
Old Apr 13, 2021 | 09:13 AM
  #37  
WyoBull's Avatar
WyoBull
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 1,033
Likes: 105
From: Casper, Wyoming
Originally Posted by Wing Nut Bert
I did keep my mat in my current 2500 truck for that reason. And it was fine for my Okanagan as it had a 4x8 bottom footprint and the height gave good clearance.
I have to wait and see with the new '21 F350 and NL 10.2. I think the bottom foot print of the TC may be different and I'll need to see how the cabover to roof clearance is. Al up in the air till then.
If the TC only needs 3/4" of riser in the bed, I may just get a second stall mat (about $60 cdn), turn them side ways and cut them out so the two halves fit around and into the side gaps front and rear of the wheel wells in the bed. ( I have this niggling feeling that the NL bottom footprint extends, at least in the rear, into the extra space rearward of the wheel wells, and needs to have support, but again, not sure on that so waiting to see)
Then a thin truck bed mat like a Dee-Zee on top of that. NL doesn't like their units on stall mats and for warranty reasons, I'm not gonna push the issue of why.
What you are talking about is exactly what I did, see the photos I added in my previous post above this one. It works great with the two horse stall mats cut to fit the bed and then the standard rubber bed mat on top of them. At least for the newer Ford Super Duty's, that will give you enough clearance between the top of your cab and the bottom of your camper overhang.

When I did mine, I just laid the two horse stall mats on my garage floor sideways and then put my rubber bed mat on top of them to act like a template. I then cut the horse stall mats using a razor knife.


 

Last edited by WyoBull; Apr 13, 2021 at 09:26 AM. Reason: added photo
Reply
Old Apr 13, 2021 | 10:03 AM
  #38  
Wing Nut Bert's Avatar
Wing Nut Bert
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 449
Likes: 51
Originally Posted by WyoBull
What you are talking about is exactly what I did, see the photos I added in my previous post above this one. It works great with the two horse stall mats cut to fit the bed and then the standard rubber bed mat on top of them. At least for the newer Ford Super Duty's, that will give you enough clearance between the top of your cab and the bottom of your camper overhang.

When I did mine, I just laid the two horse stall mats on my garage floor sideways and then put my rubber bed mat on top of them to act like a template. I then cut the horse stall mats using a razor knife.

Thanks again Scott. That's exactly what I shall do. Though, I may cheat and use my jigsaw instead of a utility knife....
Can't recall if you mentioned your clearance or if you have the antenna and/or marker lights on your truck roof.
Spiffy shop floor by the way! I love the look of those. I have a friend that is a professional stone/concrete finisher. When I built my shop he came in and ground my floors super level and smooth. Then added his top secret concrete densifier and burnished them. So nice for when I do full size chalk drawings of clients wall spaces, when I'm doing a custom wall hanger piece for them. And a breeze to sweep.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ways Ford is LOSING to the Competition

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now

 Brett Foote
story-2

This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-6

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-7

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
347Flatty
2017 - 2022 Super Duty
17
Aug 13, 2018 10:53 AM
Grumpy Moose
1999 - 2016 Super Duty
5
Apr 28, 2010 02:23 PM
Dustin_86
Brakes, Steering, Suspension, Tires, & Wheels
6
Jan 20, 2005 09:56 PM
Ripsnort
Brakes, Steering, Suspension, Tires, & Wheels
11
Sep 4, 2004 06:57 AM
cpereira
Excursion - King of SUVs
3
Feb 5, 2003 12:24 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:02 PM.

story-0
10 Ways Ford is LOSING to the Competition

Slideshow: 10 ways Ford is losing to the competition

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-15 09:52:01


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now

Some great targets in today's expensive world.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-15 09:35:19


VIEW MORE
story-2
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:01:55


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-4
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-6
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-9
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE