Hey i am lookin at putting a flatbed on my f150
I have a long wb what should i cut it down to for muddin and wheelin
i want a steel flatbed on it how do i put it on
1988 Ford F150 XLT Lariat
302 V8 5.0
5spd manual trans ZF
ttb d44 front
d-44 rear
np-205 transfer case
kenwood kdc-419 cd
bench seat
134,000 mi
at 134,000 swapped engines to rebuilt
cc ,pw,pl,ps
rear slider window
3.55 gears
half the ##### in engine is new i rebuilt it myself

 

i wouldnt cut it down much if at all. are you going to want a flatbed that tilts or one secured solid to the frame? if you are going to build it solid to the frame what i would do is build yourself a framework out of 4x4 or 6x6 hardwood posts on top of your frame. drill through the posts and the frame and bolt them down securely. you could run two lengthwise on top of the frame with cross pieces between the two long ones, that would end up being very strong. use some type of straps or hangers to secure the crossmembers. then its just a matter of fabricating a bed out of metal however you want to do it, and fastening it with lag bolts or whatever you decide to the hardwood. i built a flatbed on the back of my bronco completly out of wood, and its really solid, it you used pressure treated or hardwood you could get away with it. it ends up being solid, light, and a heck of a lot easier to build and fabricate.
another option is to build the bed between the wheels and go up between the wheels with sides and then build fenders out over the tires... i don't know what your particular tastes are or how good you want it to look, how good you can fabricate it, or what you plan to haul... but i hope this gives you an idea of where to start. if you got any more questions or want more ideas id be glad to help ya more

chris

 

im making my own bed for my truck but not a flat bed. im doing it so when i run my 3 or 4 link rear suspension i can hack off the tail end up my truck just about up to the fender wells.

 

I'd build a steel bed, with spaces between the rails, to fit 2x6" pieces. That way, whenever you need to haul something, you can nail it down, and when the boards get worn out, just take off the rear piece, slide out the bad one, and slide the new one in.

Jared

 

Check out my gallery and [link:http://www.brayarch.com/~kevin/truck/78f150.html|my truck pix]. My 78 F150 SWB had a steel flatbed w/wood floor when I bought it. I replaced the 2" thick oak boards w/3/4" treated plywood.

I drew the thing up on CAD at work so if you like it and want the plans, let me know.

Kevin K.

 

I bought one for my truck. I am running 36" Swampers on it and it wheels good. Not real sure about the mud because the thing weighs in at a little over 9000#. My bed is made of 6" channel on all sides, and has 3/16" diamond plate for the deck. It also has 6" chanel for the framework. I would recommend using 4" for the framework (running front to back along the truck frame rails. Then, build the surround for the bed out of 6" channel (4" would work here as well). Also put in cross braces, so if you use the bed to carry any weight, the load doesn't buckle the decking. Then plate the floor.
My bed works great for all the stuff I use it for. Makes pulling a trailer easier, hauls hay, and made the truck look 3" taller to boot.

As far as cutting the frame.. If there is a tank in the rear, give yourself a few inches past in case someone runs into you.

 

im replacing the tank with a fuel cell, and putting the cell in the bed so i wont have to worry about smashing on rocks and such. so there wont be anything in the way of cutting.

 

Hello- 460guy:
If you've already replaced your NP208 or Borg-Warner transfer case(which is what 1980-up F trucks came with) and taken out your 8.8 or 9 inch rear to replace it with a D44 rear then I think your good enough to dream up your own custom flatbed.