I am not sure if this is the correct forum for this so please re-direct me if it isn't.I have built a combination of a 1985 f-350 4x4 crew cab frame,engine,axles with a 1981 f-350 12' stake bed dump cab and bed.Anyway, with a few modifications it all fit except I couldn't use the dana70 dually from the 81(too narrow).My question is; I know the bar which goes across the rear below the bed is required but how high can it be? I use this truck for hauling wood,gravel,building materials,etc.and often have to back over uneven terrain. I have about 30" tires and fairly good ground clearance except for that bar.I know that with a 169" wheel base this is never going to be a real off-road truck but if I could raise that bar even 6" or so it would make a real difference.If anyone is up on these regs please let me know if I can either raise it or maybe make it removable or adjustable? Thanks.

 

You may want to check out your state's lift law , it will tell you what your rear bumper ( ICC bar ) must measure from the ground . Yes you could make it removable or swing out of the way by mounting it with pins instead of bolts , simular to how a snow plow mounts . Be sure you have mudflaps also .

 

Thanks for the reply.I guess I'll have to get ahold of the DMV tomorow.At least now I know what to call it.Yea, this thing's got everything from the mud flaps to the roof lights and I want to keep it that way.Once the commercial truck guys get on your case they'll pull you over every time they see you.

 

I'm not sure it the same regs would apply to comercial and noncomercial trucks , the ICC bar on the rear of semi-trailers are regulated as to their width and height off the ground to keep those pesky fourwheelers from going under the rear of the trailer when you stop and they can't . Have fun with your truck it sound pretty cool !

 

I know they are required by FMVSS (right acronym?) to be a permanent fixture. Also, I know many are built so flimsy out of 1/8 metal you would be lucky they stopped a motorcycle. I do not remember the text saying they could not be adjustable!

So, I would go with a permanent fixture, that is adjustable. Say, 3 x 3 x 1/4 tubing, inside which slides a U made of 2.5 x 2.5 x 1/4 tubing. Run a spring down each leg, on the inside, to help pull it up. Drill holes and use 1/2 bolts, two each side to hold it into place. I think that would be sturdy enough to prevent any submarining from a mild accident. If some wants to plow into the back of the truck at 60 mph, I do not think there is anything you can do to protect them.

Plus, I agree, do check your DMV, but, remember for a commercially registered truck the bumper laws might not apply to you and might be stricter, though they usually allow you more ground clearance. You might have to follow DOT/ICC/FMVSS guidelines.

I use to do vehicle inspections at Ryder and 30 inches seems to stick in my mind, fwiw.

 

You're probably right about the 30 in. height on the ICC bar for tractor-trailers , but I think on a noncomercial vehicle it goes by the declared weight . robocardo where did you work for Ryder ? I drove big truck for a company out of Grand Rapids Mi. who leased from Ryder for years .

 

Peabody MA zone. Ryder is a great company.

 

Thanks,Rebocaro.I had pictured a telescopeing settup much like what you described.I think as long as it locked in solidly in the down position it would be as sturdy as it came originally(which is to say none too solid at all !).I totally agree, that thing wouldn't stop a geo metro at 45 mph.Plus the back of the bed would have already taken your head off before the bumpers even met!So I guess the moral is;If you drive a little car,get off the cell phone and watch where you're going.If it is 30" that would be plenty of clearance.Mine is at about 20".This truck is used for my business but is just under 10,000lbs GVWR.I will call the state DMV and find out what regs apply before I get out the grinder.

 

FWIW: Most of the regs for commercial trucks do not start until 12,600 pounds GVWR. So, I imagine you would fall into the 7600/8600-12600 light truck class and would not even need to keep a log book for in state/100 mile radius stuff or a DOT number.

On the solid downward part of the frame, if you have a 45 degree angle of steel backing it up, it will be very solid. I would just design it so if it gets hit, it does not nuke your flatbed, so I would not attach it to the flatbed itself if I could avoid it. I have seen that and when it gets hit from a car or backing up it bends down the back part of the flatbed. If it is bolted to the frame, it is a lot easier to fix, especially if the bolts bend or shear instead of the frame.

I see reflective tape on the back of many of those bars, for the $5 it costs from northerntools.com it might be a good investment.

If you have 1/4 inch tube within 1/4 tube and they bend that and the supporting 45 degree member, then most likely they would have killed whoever was sitting in the 3rd row seat of a Dodge Caravan minivan if they hit that. That is how I look at it.

20" is the front bumper height (max.) required for cars and light truck in most states so I think you are good to go on the rear.

 

I want to see pics of your truck kpavitt !! It doesn't matter if it's not finished , it sounds cool ! And keep us posted on how you'er doin' on the ICC bar .