Putting on a flatbed
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Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Michigan
Putting on a flatbed
Im thinkin about pullin the beat up old box off my truck and sticking a wooden flatbed on her. Anybody on here that went with a flatbed notice any difference in mileage versus the standard 8 foot box? Also how do they compare in weight? Advantages? Disadvantages?
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
Likes: 16
From: Nutter Fort, WV
I used a steel flatbed on mine which is 8 feet x 9 feet long.
Weight was a slight increase, but the extra width and height catches a lot more air, MPG went down.
If you had one than did not stick out past the cab, weight would be about the same as stock and mileage should not be affected much.
The mirrors, sides of the bed, the head ache rack sticking above the cab, the tool boxes hanging out beside the cab, the stacks and the strobe lights all catch more air.
And they all play there own little part in lower MPG.
But if I were going for MPG, I think a Smart Car would have been a better choice of vehicle.
But I don't think they haul much weight or do well in the mud.
Weight was a slight increase, but the extra width and height catches a lot more air, MPG went down.
If you had one than did not stick out past the cab, weight would be about the same as stock and mileage should not be affected much.
The mirrors, sides of the bed, the head ache rack sticking above the cab, the tool boxes hanging out beside the cab, the stacks and the strobe lights all catch more air.
And they all play there own little part in lower MPG.
But if I were going for MPG, I think a Smart Car would have been a better choice of vehicle.
But I don't think they haul much weight or do well in the mud.
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Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Michigan
I was planning on making mine about the same size as a stock bed. It would have a headache rack,but nothing that sticks over the cab. I figured MPGs might go up a little from less wind drag, but maybe not.
BTW thats a great pic of your truck.
BTW thats a great pic of your truck.
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Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Michigan
They all look good. What size stacks have you got on there? I might have to run some like that if i go with the flatbed. Then again, i dont wanna look like im copying your setup. lol
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
Likes: 16
From: Nutter Fort, WV
It crawled out, I had to stop when I took the picture to move the mud in front of the passenger side mirror before i tore it off.
Lmited slip in both axles with a couple extra disc's in each and a 100 gallon fuel tank in the bed to fuel the excavator up with for some weight, it goes rather well.
963 tramming back and forth all day to carry gravel to bed the sewer line had it right chewed up.
Stacks are 3", that is all I had room for because the bed is a dump bed.
Another fun day at the office spinning in circles all day.
Lmited slip in both axles with a couple extra disc's in each and a 100 gallon fuel tank in the bed to fuel the excavator up with for some weight, it goes rather well.
963 tramming back and forth all day to carry gravel to bed the sewer line had it right chewed up.
Stacks are 3", that is all I had room for because the bed is a dump bed.
Another fun day at the office spinning in circles all day.
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 20,375
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From: Mi'kma'ki
could be wrong.cant wait to find out.
does look deep.if he got the diff's hung up,he might have needed help out lol.
p.s.yeah Daves rig is setup as a bad ars working machine! i love it!
be sure to check out his garage.
my flat bed dump will be on soon too.-looking into a 9'LX7'W right now....wahoo!
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Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
Likes: 16
From: Nutter Fort, WV
Actually the flat bed weighs about the same as a stock bed.
But the hoist and subframe added about 1000 pounds.
With the under bed tool boxes, dump bed, Dana 60, lots of extra springs and snow plow frame, full of fuel the truck weighs 8,060 pounds without me in it.
Gross in the top picture was over 17,000 pounds.
But the hoist and subframe added about 1000 pounds.
With the under bed tool boxes, dump bed, Dana 60, lots of extra springs and snow plow frame, full of fuel the truck weighs 8,060 pounds without me in it.
Gross in the top picture was over 17,000 pounds.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 20,375
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From: Mi'kma'ki
oh i missed your first reply Dave.i must have been reading,then replied after you had posted lol.i figured she probably came up out of there.
to your new post,how do you go about legally increasing your GVW? or can you?
do you just do your mods-springs/brakes/etc.etc. then take the truck somewhere to have it inspected for a new GVW?
(the commercial plate ratings and commercial insurance part i know.)
to your new post,how do you go about legally increasing your GVW? or can you?
do you just do your mods-springs/brakes/etc.etc. then take the truck somewhere to have it inspected for a new GVW?
(the commercial plate ratings and commercial insurance part i know.)
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,441
Likes: 5
From: Muskegon, MI (home)
I have a flatbed on my 84 F250, check out my gallery under "work truck". Mine is 6'x8' all steel, it doesn't tilt like Dave's 86 I'm happy with it. It didn't seem to effect the mileage much if at all, I know it's a lot heavier than a factory bed... the added weight helps a ton for snow plowing. Ditto on the front and rear limited slips Dave, my old 84 F150 300 six 4 spd is locked in the rear and LS in the front... it takes a lot to get er stuck.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
Likes: 16
From: Nutter Fort, WV
I had a Lock Rite locker, great for plowing snow and mud.
But loads and our local hills, a locker was not a good thing.
Start up some steep hill with big load, turn the wheels to steer and the truck went straight.
One day there was this really big bang.
All new bearings in the whole axle, ring gear, pinion and a trac lok limited slip later I was back on the road again.
The rear axle looked like a fragmentration grenade went off inside when the locker went.
If you want to haul heavy loads and have a locker, do yourself a favor and get an air locker.
It would have been cheaper for me if I had gone that way the first time than it was to replace everything I tore up.
But loads and our local hills, a locker was not a good thing.
Start up some steep hill with big load, turn the wheels to steer and the truck went straight.
One day there was this really big bang.
All new bearings in the whole axle, ring gear, pinion and a trac lok limited slip later I was back on the road again.
The rear axle looked like a fragmentration grenade went off inside when the locker went.
If you want to haul heavy loads and have a locker, do yourself a favor and get an air locker.
It would have been cheaper for me if I had gone that way the first time than it was to replace everything I tore up.