I'm about to start the flatbed modifications...

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Dec 14, 2010 | 06:32 PM

#31

thordehr

Thread Starter

Senior User

Joined: May 2010

Posts: 396

Likes: 3

From: Los Angeles, CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdw1

I think i would have made pockets for the wheels of the 4x4 to sit down in when on the deck to lower the 4x4 for hauling, less windage. JMO

It does look like nice work though!

I was thinking of that too. Design the pockets right and I wouldn't even need tiedowns! Wouldn't move side to side, and wouldn't come out rearwards unless I powered out. Design the rear pockets open ended and I wouldn't even need ramps....
Thought about it, but it would add a lot of metal, weight and make it a little less useful as a flatbed. (although I could build fill in cover plates to get it back to a flat surface. Someday. If I run out of projects.)

Dec 14, 2010 | 06:56 PM

#32

thordehr

Thread Starter

Senior User

Joined: May 2010

Posts: 396

Likes: 3

From: Los Angeles, CA

Got back to doing some mods....

This rear tail added useless length, really hurt the departure angle even in my driveway and could be a hazard to other cars when I'm backing up...

It had to go... Setting up for removal.

Got the back plate off to expose the supports....

It wasn't until I cut through the supports that I realized how thick they were...

While I was down there I unwrapped the wiring to the rear tail lights, something didn't look quite right. All the connections were just twisted together...

I pulled out my new favorite set of tools... Weatherpak tools and a BUNCH of connectors...

Here's one side done. Love these connectors, factory appearance, weathertight and positive locking...

I pulled down the trailer wiring and am going to wire in for better running lights along the sides of the bed. Turns out they weren't even hooked up although rigid conduit was run to all of them under the flatbed. Here's the trailer running light wire:

Single wire weatherpak connector installed, was thinking of grounding each light individually:

Dec 14, 2010 | 07:27 PM

#33

SkySkiJason

Hotshot

Joined: Jul 2008

Posts: 12,782

Likes: 2,142

From: N.GA Mountains

Nice.

Where do ya get the weatherpak stuff?

Dec 14, 2010 | 07:58 PM

#34

4inchlovin

Lead Driver

Joined: Nov 2007

Posts: 5,578

Likes: 1

If you plan on driving the toy up onto there I would be worried about:

A. your truck doing a wheely (dont know how much your toy weighs.

B. Beating the crap out of your rear axle gears from the truck being pushed back and forth.

both of these things may still be a worry when wenching the toy onto the truck

Just my .02c either way nice job!

Dec 15, 2010 | 09:28 PM

#35

thordehr

Thread Starter

Senior User

Joined: May 2010

Posts: 396

Likes: 3

From: Los Angeles, CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4inchlovin

Nope, Jeep climbs right up there no problem. Truck seems to handle it with out any problem at all. Gear lash isn't an issue and if it was, I would take it out of gear and chock the wheels for the loading. As for driving on the road, there's less shoving and pulling than I would get with my Jeep on a trailer. (tiedown slack and hitch slack) It's more of a single unit strapped directly to the bed. It even handles the corners surprisingly well! Up and down the hill to Big Bear, I forgot it was on there at times.

Dec 15, 2010 | 09:41 PM

#36

thordehr

Thread Starter

Senior User

Joined: May 2010

Posts: 396

Likes: 3

From: Los Angeles, CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkySkiJason

Nice.

Where do ya get the weatherpak stuff?

I got this kit along with a ratcheting crimper. You can get a regular crimper but this one works so well, I'm glad I have it.

This is what came in my kit.

It has everything from single connectors to 6 pin connectors. Also a pin removal tool so you can change configurations if you want to. There's connector plugs too so you can make a water tight dead end connection.