I'm trying to decide if I want to take the shortcut of getting my truck done by putting a flatbed on it and painting it, then eventually putting a regular bed back on it. but I dont know if I can find a flatbed cheap enough to do this and still get my money back out of the flatbed when I'm done with it. any suggestions?

 

From a business standpoint, buy a truck that's running, take the bed off it, sell the truck at cost and you got a free bed.

You could go with a flatbed, but that's work and money also, just to switch back to a regular bed, you might as well do it right the first time, unless you find it will be a good while before you need a regular bed again.

 

I bought a '65 F250 with a flatbed and exhaust stacks sticking up above the cab. Eventually I will put the bed from my parts truck on it. A flatbed is more about utility than beauty - it's all what you are going to use the truck for.

 

well, I like the looks of both, and it could be a while before I get the bed for it. IDK, its just a mute point right now I guess. lol

 

i actually like the looks of an older truck with a flatbed, but it has to be the right bed and the rest of the truck has to flow with it. There's a guy around here with a dentside and 35's, about a 3 inch lift and a flatbed and it looks very nice in my opinion. I'll pretty much be copying him when I am done, but that's ok as mine will be a different color and a little flashier as mine has aluminum 16X10 wheels, ranger XLT trim, and a 460.

George

 

either way looks good imo. just pick a way and commit to it. flatbeds are more expensive than factory beds from what ive seen.

 

When I see a flat bed I think, "guess he couldn't fix the original bed."

 

A flat bed of the correct size can look great on a 4x4.

 

Not to hijack the thread....

I was thinking of just bolting on a sheet of Thompson sealed plywood with an 2x12 on edge at the rear for the taillights. I want to put the bed in the garage while I do the bodywork on it....there's enough rust and dents to keep me busy for a long while.

Do you guys think this temporary bed would work or is there any structural rigidity dangers at all?

 

If you want a nice looking truck I would suggest finding a new bed. The flat bed makes the truck look like a work truck or worst yet a Red Neck ride.

 

That's hilarious, I think the same thing when I spot an older truck with a flatbed. Especially when it doesn't have any sort of load on it and hardwood stakes/ railings.

I do, however, like the way flatbeds look on newer Superduties, especially with a 300 amp Lincoln Pipeliner welder bolted to the back.

Josh

 

I like the look of a factory bed,but if you have any fabrication skills you can build a decent looking flat bed too.I built one with stake pockets,to me its just a way more versatile setup if you use the truck for any kind of work.

 

That might not be such a bad thing...

black out the windows, weld a front bumper cage with bright spotlights on it, and a matching rollbar on the flat bed with more spotlights and you've got yourself a horror movie truck.

 

LOL! maybe we can name it christine II

 

I think a flat bed can look good if done right. Especially if it has nice stained wood slats and proper side marker lights and tail lights. Plus something to keep the mud from slinging everywhere. Regular beds are hard to keep in good shape unless kept in a garage. They rust out easy even if precautions are taken. Most that you find will be full of putty or need it. Flat beds are better in that sense. No ones gonna put a dent in a solid steel flat bed frame and you can always hand paint it once every five years to keep it pretty.

just sayin