Ian's 2004 Tacoma - Custom Flatbed

Even with the same look and features, I'd change up the methods as well as the weight reduction. Building the boxes directly onto the frame was interesting, but much faster to build them separate and install them after. Same with the transfer tank. I'd go for an overall reduction in parts count and simplify quite a bit. Faster, more consistency and less expensive. We'll see.

Just got hired to do a custom pipeliner (skirted) style bed for a single axle Peterbuilt. That is going to be fun. Weight is less of a concern, but still trying to keep it simple and (relatively) light.

 

Could also incorporate an aluminum bed over the steel frame

 

Or all aluminum, but I have to get my TIG welding presentable first.

 

Or a wood deck with side rails-upright removable gates.

 

My ‘05 prerunner long term build goal is EV or custom hybrid. So I’d need battery storage under the bed, possibly where the tank is for a full EV conversion but maybe above it for a custom hybrid EV front axle and ice rear. A flatbed with armored access from above or drawers from the side could be ideal. But hard to balance that with the desire to stay light, hence my waffling on EV vs hybrid.

I wouldn’t want boxes for tools, that’s for sure.

If there were some way to be lighter than stock, that would be extra interesting. But I suspect the stock bed and rear bumper, if they are 300 lbs, would be hard to beat.

 

That sounds like a fun project. On my bed, the bed height is about the same as the top of the stock wheel wells. There is a lot of space between the wheels, that used to be the center of the stock bed. I used a little bit for the front storage box. It's about eight inches deep, but could have been ten, if it went down to the top of the frame. Not sure how those dimensions work out on an '05, but it would be similar. There could be enough space for batteries there and not get into the space below the frame where the gas tank is mounted.

The deck could double for access as well through the top. If there were hinges on the center line (front to back), you could access batteries on each side, for most of the length of the bed. If the rest of the bed is as minimal as possible, with just fenders. it might be possible to stay in the range of the stock bed. If the deck or even the bed frame were aluminum, you might be able to beat the stock weight by a little. I think most of the weight would be whatever framing and floor is supporting the batteries.

If the batteries would work out in that space, you wouldn't have to choose between EV and hybrid, based on the bed design. It could be the same either way.

 

And with paint. I like the results, but not the process so much.

 

Got the flatbed on the truck today. Did the toolbox door latches, weather stripping, installed the plumbing for the transfer tank, hung the license plate and finished all the wiring about a half hour ago. Good day.

 

It's surprising you didn't design in or add on any side stake-pocket option. Seems like that would be very useful, giving the option to add stout wooden (or even metal) temporary bed sides of whatever height in future. What was your reasoning for omitting them?

 

I guess it's not something I've used much. When I did the tie downs, I wanted to keep the sides pretty clean, so built them into the channel. Most flatbeds have the combo stake-pocket/tie-down running around the outside. Easy to do, but didn't want that look. I guess the answer is vaguely aesthetics.

I agree that there are many ways to add them and they can be very useful. It just didn't rise to the top on this design.

 

Working out so far.

 

Very cool

 

Did this messing around with some scrap on the plasma table yesterday. Paint went a little sideways. About a week of driving out here and it will match everything else on the truck.

 

@AllTacosFloat
This should inspire

 

Added some tube bending capability to the shop a few weeks ago. Felt obliged to make a set of rock sliders.

One side done, should get the other side welded up tomorrow. Maybe painted and installed, we'll see. 2" x .120" tube, so pretty beefy. These would be the weld-on configuration, but I could have made the mounting plates for bolts. Less trouble to weld for now.

 

Didn't have much time today, but got the driver's side painted.

 

Finished up the rock sliders and got them installed today. I jacked up the side of the truck using the outside tube. The deflection on the inside tube was about a 1/4". That leaves another 1/4" - 1/2" clearance with seam on the rocker panel. Should work pretty well.