To flatbed or not to flatbed

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/toyota-tacoma/935572-hacksters-tacoma-project-2wd-4wd-sas-2.html

This guy put a flat bed on his 5 lug when he converted it to 4x4, it looks sweet. His design isn't nearly as useful for a work truck or like box rockets but flat beds look sweet on reg cab trucks. I'd do it to mine if i could!

 

Flatbed it. I would use diamond plate if you can afford it. Put stake holes into it to fit a 2x4 side if needed, weld a few tie down points along the outside. Then since you are at it put a headache/roll bar on it and cage it!

 

Personally, i think you should put a service body on it. you know, like with all the compartments and stuff on the sides.

 

Why would you think he'd ever have to patch steel? If you are talking about it rusting through, that would take years and only if there was zero paint ever put on it and no maintenance. One thing to consider with wood is, even though it is a little lighter, it can get very slippery especially when wet and gear and objects can slip a lot easier on the wood.

I used diamond plate on the one in the pics. Worked great. Spraying the deck surface with bedliner would be an excellent idea too.

 

Flatbed

 

Out of curiosity, how would a standard steel flatbed run you?

 

Get a Ute tray

http://uteltd.com

 

Those look amazing

 

or you could get a 2nd hand Rebco box like this one I saw locally today

 

^ that looks pretty good but I've thought about putting a flat bed on my taco a few times before but that'll be one of the last things I do.

 

or a compact service body

http://www.knapheide.com/product/compact-service-bodies/

 

Thats pretty cool. I didn't think they made service beds for smaller trucks like that.

I'm thinking flatbed for utility purpose plus wheeling abilities. I don't think a service bed would hold up to good

 

Yeah , all depends on the end use for sure , I'm always trying to figure out a better way to haul all my tools , haha

 

You could always fab up a custom bed with tool compartments on board. Or build a removable tool carrier that fits all your tools in the bed and comes out kind of like a camper.

 

Enclosed trailer...pretty much gets that done.

 

Oh yeah , for sure

In my case I would probably do some kind of hybrid work body / over cab roof rack / cap / espresso machine combo

 

That's true , just no fun

 

Sounds good Oz.

 

How about one with an espresso machine?