Flatbed Information Thread

While I was trying to figure out what to replace my bed with, I noticed there wasn't a whole lot of information on Flatbeds. So I have gotten a lot from this forum and figured I could give back (hopefully....I searched and couldn't really find anything that was helpful). So here it goes. I do apologize as most of the information is for a second gen tacoma, however I do believe it can be used for all tacoma models.

Some of these picture are mine, and some are from either google or from the forum. This is an information thread, just trying to spread some knowledge and pictures help. If I have taken your picture and you dont want it to be here, let me know...

Why do I want a flatbed?

• Your stock bed has broke?
  
  
• improved approach angle and less width and/or to have a less damageable bed (this is more for custom tube beds)
  
  
• Need more space
  When the entire stock bed fits inside your new bed with a 35 tire to boot.
• expo points?
• need it for work
• Ease and versatility of running a camper

Why a Flatbed may not be for you

• its wider and longer (this doesn't apply to custom tube beds that you may see)
• cost
• not much aftermarket support (and if there is, its expensive)
• Too much work

Who Makes flatbeds for Tacoma's?
Disclaimer: I am not associated with any of these companies. I personally have a ute ltd bed. Everything I am stating below is specifically based on my research that I did for my personal purchases.

UteLtd

• this company makes beds that are essentially stock flatbeds in Australia. Although they are very well made, they are not necessarily designed for offload and more built for work trucks.
• all aluminum construction
• have a cap option EDIT I do not recommend the cap. After one year a majority of the welds have failed see photos here
• The cap is just an empty ARE shell. A lot of work is needed to figure out how to secure stuff to the walls.
• there bed is meant for a chevy colorado but it can be made to work with your truck
  
• Parts are readily available (broke a tailgate and had new hinges shipped within a week
• Cost for a bed and cap was around 7K

Norweld



I would personally say that this bed is a very good option for those that want a "turn key" expedition bed. Other than what you can read on their website it is one of the more expensive options for flatbeds for our trucks.

another great option from @Ralf at summit expeditions.

Very well priced turn key bed that has the options of off-road accessories built in North America!

@ChandlerDOOM Flatbed (let me know if this is okay @ChandlerDOOM



Personally this was one of those things, that if I would have had about a month of extra time, this bed would be on my truck. When looking at the used bed cost, this is an extremely affordable option in terms of quality and "turn key" ready. Compared to the norweld this setup seems to be extremely close (if not the same) in quality and "turn key" ability but the cost isn't there. Additionally, compared to the ute bed and cap, it is designed for offroad. Hell, even having the tire carrier would have solved a bunch of issues for me.


Commercial style beds.
I dont have a specific company as I truly feel it depends on your area (so many companies that make these things). However these beds are more for commercial use, utilize the stock hitch, hinder ground clearance. Again, this would be better suited for work.Additionally, these beds are generally made out of steel. This may be a pro for some and negative for others. Being in Canada, this was a negative for me.

The following pictures were pulled off google. Let me know if I am stepping on toes.


I am also throwing the UteLtd bed in here again as it is a commercial bed


Wiring in lights

Option 1-Using stock twilight harness
I need to give credit to @1 Bored Clerk . His right up in his thread saved me a bunch of time trying to figure out how to use the stock harness. All the pictures are from his build thread here (hope its okay I am linking it here)

essentially if you can you want to take this harness from your stock taillights. This will allow you to utilize the stock harness plugs.






Option 2-Using a trailer Harness-Thanks @Tx TacomaCC
if you are using certain taillights that are similar to trailer lights (running lights and break light use the same bulb) then a trailer harness that can plug into your stock harness is best to use. Can splice the cheap trailer harness without affecting your stock harness

Trailer wiring adapters for 5 wire to 4 wire are readily available. No need to reinvent the wheel to work around this issue. You could use the adapter for bed or trailer lights, or even both. They are about $15. It’s an easy way to solve the problem.


$15 IIT 16690 Trailer Converter
https://www.amazon.com/iit-16690-II...0465&s=gateway&sprefix=5+to+4+,aps,245&sr=8-6


Or a direct plug in version for about $40





$44 CURT 55513 Custom Wiring Harness
https://www.amazon.com/CURT-55513-V...-8-1-2229-272-&vehicleName=2008+Toyota+Tacoma


Hopefully this will help someone.

Fuel Filler neck

The stock filler neck will need to be relocated which includes extending the stock hoses to the tank.

I know that norweld does have a pretty slick filler neck location, however I am not too sure the work involved to getting it to work. I can only speak for the UteLtd bed in which you have to do everything to make it work for your needs.

The long travel guys are having success with the 4 runner filler neck . The link will provide you with part numbers and detailed photos which may be helpful.

Peoples solutions
@pdepape https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/flatbed-information-thread.558179/page-4#post-21510463


@danrogers found here



Things to consider
Legality-From what I was told you will need to add side marker lights since your new taillights won't wrap around like all stock tail lights do.

Bumper
-You could run your stock bumper and hitch but your limited with clearance (if thats important)

-A highclearance bumper could be made to work with your new flatbed. For my relentless high clearance bumper, the UTELtd bed was sitting on top of the bumper, thus I had more clearance available.
-May need to build a custom bumper
-It could be integrated....



will continue to add stuff.

 

Removing the stock bed -doing this from memory from a couple months ago
Really this isn't as hard as I thought it would be. If your bed bolts are not rusted it should take any more than a couple of hours. A friend, or lifting mechanism (hoist, gantry crane, winch off of a tree...whatever). My dad and I lifted it off.

your truck and its bed.
\

1. remove the 6 bed bolts.
2. remove taillights
3. remove/unclip tailight and backup camera wire harness (this is behind the taillights. They are held in with clips. I found it easy to remove the clip from the harness as they are just taped in)
4. remove gas cap
5. Begin lifting bed off and checking for anything that is holding it down. This could be any wires, the rear diff breather extension in the cubby or gas filler that your forgot about .

What you should have when your done.

 

Also I am more than happy to add items if I have missed anything.

Filler neck.....What do I do with it?

There are many ways to go about this, generally some modifications of the filler neck will be needed.

Thank you @1 Bored Clerk for a lot of this information (again)

Hose sizes to extend fuel lines

"1/4” fuel line for the breather, 5/8” fuel line for the evap box, 1” fuel filler hose for the fuel fill. You should be able to get 1/4” fuel line at any auto parts store. I had to order the other two sizes. I ordered them from www.fillernecksupply.comvery fast shipping. I will say that the 5/8” hose is a very tight fit. I had to lube it up a bit to get it over the evap metal line. But, it’s on there now! And, yes, it all needs to be fuel rated. Not high pressure...just rated for fuel." - @1 Bored Clerk

Pro tip: I am currently running into issues with the soft rubber kinking and not allowing gas to flow in. I am venturing to a hydraulic shop to find a firmer hose (insert that’s what she said joke here) that will not kink.

Pictures and methods to relocate
@tacoma16
temp set up

and work in progress

@1 Bored Clerk (taken from build here

Other methods may include extending and relocating to the floor of the bed.

 

Guess I will jump into the conversation

Why I made the switch.

I came from a factory bed, Pelferybilt high clearance bumper, century topper, and a prinsu toprac. While nothing wrong with the set up it wasn't meant for me, sure it all sounded great (spent a lot of money doing so) the end effect wasn't what I wanted. First and foremost was the weight, the truck was too heavy for everyday use and loaded down for trips made it even worse. Second was ease of use. I bought everything for a reason, cap to keep my gear secure,HC bumper for a number of reasons, rack to expand my storage. Well the cap is great but if it doesn't fit inside then it doesn't fit at all, and your swing out only makes the day to day tasks just a little more difficult and forget using the swingout if someone parks behind you. The main point is that it wasn't the right setup for me, and simply wanted more options with ease of use.

Well I committed and jumped in with both feet to make the switch from all that stuff, to something more simple. I wasn't 100% sure if I would love the new setup but it was worth a try and have never looked back.

What makes it better. (this is just my opinion and based on having a canopy as well)

All around use and the endless options. I cant express how awesome it is to have my canopy full of gear for a trip (or work) and in 3-5 mins I can have the canopy off driving around with just a flatbed to go pick up something large and akward that would normally never fit in a tacoma bed to begin with. Just that alone is worth it

The price point certainly doesn't appeal to most, but I guarantee most would be happy with the switch.

 

That’s one huge downside to my setup. It would be an utter pain in the butt to remove my canopy. Also my back wall has a lot of accessories I would need for trail riding regardless.

 

Did you ever end up selling your flat bed? Or is it still for sale?

 

Should be going to a new home this upcoming weekend and onto the next project

 

This is a hella good thread @tacoma16, and @ChandlerDOOM I freaking love your set up. If my bed breaks I'll probably be going this route lol.

 

Not as utility/expo based as you guys but here’s an example with a fuel cell.

 

I can dig it

 

With your fuel cell, did you have to do anything with your stock sensors and what not? Does it work similiar to the stock setup

 

No issues with the sensors, it works like stock and uses the stock sender and pump. I do have CEL because the evap system doesn't know what to do with it but I don't really care for the evap so it works for me.

 

Good to know. I have tons of room under my flatbed that could house a big old tank.

 

Do you have a build thread for this bed / canopy?

 

It’s in his signature.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/chandlers-battleship-of-doom.341357/

 

personally id love to get a flat bed my bed is already damaged from a tree that i hit. but the cost is what keeps me away from doing it unless i made it my self

 

had the same issue. My biggest problem is I wanted aluminum, and I am not set up to weld aluminum. Considering what you get, the uteltd bed isn't too bad in price when you consider how much the aluminum would have been to make it.

 

The Ute bed is an amazing value when you start looking at other alternatives. The design is so refined for production that they use all the same extrusions for midsize and full-size trucks. Cut to length and piece it together.

 

ya thats true if i ever got more damage in the back i may go that route but id probably have a friend make one so that i can still use my bed rack and un bolt it when not needed

 

if i was to do a flatbed id kinda copy his but build a headach rack to mount the tire on and have a rack on it for my tent