Pickups without beds...
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From: Longvalley, SD
Pickups without beds...
I was pondering the idea of losing the bed on my 70 highboy earlier...there isnt anything wrong with it, but i just saw a pic of scouder's 76 highboy without the bed in the FE forum and i think it looks bada$$. What do you guys think about pickups without beds?
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From: fremont ohio
i took the bed off of my 88. i think it looks pretty good. i got a wooden flatbed on it now. whats nice about it is when i eventually want to get bigger tires, theres no need for a lift kit, u just put spacers in the mounts for the flatbed. the wood beds are really easy to make, and the metal ones dont look terribly difficult either. The only problem ive had is that it isnt as heavy as the original bed, so on bumps the rear end skips around a little
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From: Longvalley, SD
I was also wanting to lighten it up a little bit too i didnt plan on any kind of flatbed, maybe build rollbars out of round tubing. I pry wouldnt sell the bed but it is in mint condition...i even have the original tailgate that is in mint working condition also. i would put weights on the way back so that it lands evenly when i jump it in the mud pits
Last edited by Thomsen; Mar 3, 2004 at 01:39 PM.
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From: Des Moines, Iowa
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From: GANS
Well, I guess it depends. I think do that for a long time will probably lead to a lot of cracks in the frame.. That is just my opinion though. I know that your springs are designed to flex a lot, and your frame is designed to flex a little.
If I was going to run it like that permenently, I'd probably weld on a tube frame, and go with really light springs. You're not carrying anything, so you can use the flex. The only thing about that is with a DD, it'll get a bit squirrelly when wet, and on ice. (pickups are bad enough WITH a bed on ice).
If I was going to run it like that permenently, I'd probably weld on a tube frame, and go with really light springs. You're not carrying anything, so you can use the flex. The only thing about that is with a DD, it'll get a bit squirrelly when wet, and on ice. (pickups are bad enough WITH a bed on ice).
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From: Sarnia, Ontario, CANADA!
Originally posted by bremen242
The only thing about that is with a DD, it'll get a bit squirrelly when wet, and on ice. (pickups are bad enough WITH a bed on ice).
The only thing about that is with a DD, it'll get a bit squirrelly when wet, and on ice. (pickups are bad enough WITH a bed on ice).
-Matt
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Originally posted by bremen242
hehe.. Well, personally, i like the extra weight. If I did take my bed off, I'd probably brace everything, and hang about an extra 500lbs on the back to make up for the weight loss.
hehe.. Well, personally, i like the extra weight. If I did take my bed off, I'd probably brace everything, and hang about an extra 500lbs on the back to make up for the weight loss.
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From: USA
I took the bed off my old Chevy and ran it that way for a while. Like everyone said, it made an already rough riding truck even rougher, rear wheel brake lockup happened more often, rear end skipping on washboard roads was worse, mud, dirt, rocks would fly in all directions because of no 'fenders', but the worst part of it was, I had a 3/4 ton truck that could haul NOTHING, because of no bed to put it in. I was quite happy when I found a nice bed at the junkyard to put back on there.
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From: Atlanta GA
My new welder arrives this week so I am replacing my "wood" box with a steel flatbed/box and installing it so I can put a rollbar on later. I am running 4x4x1/8 tube left to right 72-76 inches long.
I would not run a truck without a bed or box of some sort because you really need the weight there, as little as it is, and to cover the wheels. I drove my truck without a bed for a while, you cover your window with stuff, and in mud you can really damage the truck with rocks. Especially when they fling over the roof unto the front windshield.
I would not run a truck without a bed or box of some sort because you really need the weight there, as little as it is, and to cover the wheels. I drove my truck without a bed for a while, you cover your window with stuff, and in mud you can really damage the truck with rocks. Especially when they fling over the roof unto the front windshield.
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From: Longvalley, SD
Ok thanks for the info fellas...i will pry put some type of lighter flatbed on it and build some rollbars...or maybe just leave the box on. I'm gonna try and get my 466 to fire today for the first time...just got the headers on. Wish me luck!!