Big Body Truck Co. LLC - Flatbeds for Midsize Trucks

Hi All of my TacomaWorld Family!

I wanted to share a bit of an update on an earlier post on the forums related to a Flatbed product that myself and my business partner have been working on.

The first prototype was a fully welded aluminum tray that used predominantly off the shelf aluminum channels with the main accessory connection method being the use of unistrut channels. While we thought the first prototype looked amazing, it didn't offer the complete flexibility that we were striving for in our design goals.

We went back to the drawing board with the goal of getting a flatbed product that placed primary focus on the DIY community and maximum flexibility. I present to you all what we have landed on as our final design concept - a system of powdercoated welded steel brackets and anodized aluminum t-slot extrusions to accomplish a flatbed system that truly allows for the most flexible setup possible.

Some Items of Note: The pictures shown below are from our 3rd prototype done on my 3rd Gen Tacoma, which was a DCLB. In many ways, these were to test design concepts and expand our bracket library to accommodate a wide variety of customization for the customer. The prices listed on our website are for a full in-shop build. We want to work with our first customers by doing full in-house builds to get input from them on their needs and their visions in order to expand the brackets, designs, and accessories that we offer. Finally, there will be future updates to the 3rd Gen Tacoma Build as doors, wheel wells, mud flaps, bar work, developments to the rack system, an underbody drawer, license plate panel, camera bracket and a canvas enclosure will be added in the near future.

Here are some highlights our base model concepts listed out:

• All framing components are made out of anodized aluminum
• All brackets are made from TIG welded steel brackets that are powder coated by a local business.
• The deck material shown is a PVC Deck Board - the brand that we find to be the best is Timbertech's PVC deckboards for ultimate weather resistance, texture and a nice cool feel when standing barefoot on the tray. Virtually any 1" deep decking solution will work with our system.
• Fasteners are Stainless Steel
• Completely modular - we have a catalog of 10 brackets currently for different framing needs on the flatbed platform. The aluminum t-slot channels allow for the use of M6 bolts and channel nuts to connect whatever accessories you may want to add to the system. Based on the way the tray itself is framed, additional framing components can be added or subtracted, and channels can be added in almost any location to connect items such as bar work, fenders and tool boxes on the underside of the tray.
• Fully manufactured and designed in California.
• DIY Kits and designs coming soon at a much lower price than our full build listed on the website!

As for weights - I can give a ballpark now for the base tray but we want to get a scale for our gantry crane to make sure that we are 100% accurate. Based on the CAD model we should be in the 230 lb ballpark for the base with deck boards and the front rack. I also want to do a full breakdown on a system by system basis so please expect these to come in the near future as we finish out the 3rd prototype build.

Website Link: Big Body Truck Co.

Social Links: Big Body Truck Co. Instagram

Reddit Post: Big Body Truck Co. Initial Reddit Post

Please let me know if you have any questions, comments, or input! We have always strived to be for the people and we welcome any and all feedback. Please stay tuned for build updates and updated pricing information!

Shown below is the 3rd Prototype on my 2016 Tacoma DCLB TRD Sport. I am on a 2.5" Lift with Kenda's Skinny 35. Clearance from top of tire to underside of tray is currently sitting at around 8" to save some room for fender flare connections. The front rack and rear rack were built in order to clear the 35" tire to add a canvas canopy. I think I can bring the tray down about 1" when I do a full stuff test and presently I can bring the rack down about 1" to get the rack system more close to flush with the top of the cab.

The 3rd Prototype shown is 71.5" wide by 81" long.

Base Flatbed:




Base Flatbed with 35" Spare for Scale:



Base Flatbed with me (5'-8" Tall) For Scale:




Base Flatbed with Full Rack (Crossbars to be added shortly):



Base Flatbed Frame Out:

 

Big fan.

 

Update 10/17:

I added a permanent rear tire mount (35") and a Pro Eagle Jack w/ Mount to the front rack. The overall configuration is looking clean!

I also added in crossbars to the rack system and the whole assembly is super sturdy. What else would TW like to see mounted on this thing? Rooftop Tent? Toolboxes? Running Boards?

Doors will be installed soon!

 

Product Details Update:

We are now planning on offering the following options:

• Weld it yourself option - we provide drawings, assembly instructions and bracket components to weld up at the lowest cost possible.
  • Cost will be in the $500-$750+ range depending on the quantity of brackets ordered.
• Welded brackets option - order welded brackets only with or without powder coating. Powder coating options can be selected with a variety of colors and finishes.
  • Cost will be in the $1300-$2000 range depending on quantity of brackets ordered and powdercoating.
  • Assembly instructions and BOM included
• Full Kit Options
  • $5,000 - $6,000 depending on brackets and configurations.

Please feel free to reach out to me via email: info@bigbodytruckco.com

 

@AllTacosFloat

 

Almost mention this when we were talking. I just saw before aoaa.

subd and very interested

 

Love to hear it! I will keep posting as I update the truck and we keep finalizing everything that has to do with the biz and pricing as we finish up building the website. Turns out there are a lot of hats to wear as the fabricator, designer, accountant, graphic designer and marketer.

In any case - either shoot us an email or let me know your vision for your truck!

 

Apologies, if you tried to contact me about this and got a kickback from info@bigbodytruckco.com that address is now up and running - please give it another try!

 

Makes it look like the truck is running around in a speedo instead of jeans.

 

Is that a good thing or a bad thing

 

Guess what is most important is what is underneath anyway!

 

Be interesting to see this integrated with a GFC or similar camper for maximizing space. Obviously would need walls to enclose it.

 

Haha, fair enough! We definitely are not hiding anything. From a product feedback perspective, what would you like to see in these areas? A full length underside drawer inbetween the frame? Bar work on the sides? Toolboxes on the sides?

 

We definitely agree! The other prototype is on a 1st Gen Tundra and he will be able to toss a friends on over the holidays to give the visual of what a camper looks like on the back of the flatbed. I will update with those photos in a couple of months!

 

Sorry, was not meant to be a serious comment. Was a veiled reference to genitals. I should probably leave....

 

Also, can a short bed be made into a long bed by adding a 6' platform or would it be too much hanging over the frame or whatever.

 

Hahaha those are accepted here

 

That shouldn't be too much of an issue. As it stands, I had the 6' bed and overall length of the OEM bed from the outside of the bed at the cab to the back of the OEM rear bumper was around 83-84" and the bed made for this tray is 81" long. I was debating on 81" or 84" and overhang of 3 additional inches would not have affected much. Extrapolating for the 5' bed I would assume overall length of the OEM short bed - bumper is around 70-71" so a 72" flatbed should work no problem!

 

lower bed height. seems way too tall, and a lack of tiedown points, or stake pockets.

 

That looks pretty good, I'm sure there are plenty who could get some practical use out of a build like this.
Install some hydraulics under the bed and turn it into a dump truck.