2011 Flatbed Build

Yeah, it's soft. I've taken worse hits on my sliders and not had any issues, so I'll be building it again when I build my new front bumper.

The UHMW is 1" thick.

 

Shit balls. That'll do. Where did you find it that thick? I've had a hard time sourcing anything local. Might just have to order a whole sheet.

 

I order from professionalplastics. They'll cut any thickness to any size you want. I'll be ordering a sheet of 3/8" here pretty soon, but they're local so I can pick it up and avoid shipping costs.

 

I'll be able to cover the deck from the spare tire back without a joint. There will be two smaller pieces on either side of the spare, and I'll cut panels to fill in the sides. The full sheet won't allow me to run one consecutive piece down the sides, and I can't justify buying two full sheets.

It would be nice to see an offering for skids other than huge chunks of plate.

 

Logan,

I bet I might be able to source a few chunks from a few of my shipyard connections if you need some... It's like stainless steel on boats. Shit, I've got a 1" thick x 3' x 10' piece sitting in Kodiak..

 

I agree. There's better options than a huge chunk of heavy steel. Want to try something new since I proved the haters wrong on the alum skids on my old yota. Hopefully I can test mine more than with a jack here soon. Not sure if the subframe will work over a thin skin of material behind it since its only 1/2"

 

What made you decide to build the flat bed to begin with? Just more useful with storage? I could imagine the stock, 5' bed would fill up rather quickly with just a spare 35" tire and a fuel can.

BTW, looks amazing. Plans to just wet spray it or will you lift off and have it powder coated?

 

I'm really enjoying following this build. Awesome workmanship, and a sweet design.

I'm sure it's already been covered, but did you ever consider an aluminum flat bed? Or, at least making the sub floor/supports out of aluminum?

 

Thanks

More storage and a place to hold the spare were my main driving factors. Putting a standard toolbox in a shortbed along with a CO2 tank, spare tire, and a fire extinguisher makes for not much room. That's where the under the bed toolbox idea came from.

I have a buddy getting me some offshore marine grade two part epoxy paint. The stuff is pretty robust so we'll see how it holds up. I plan on refreshing the paint on all of my armor with it.

http://www.specialtycoatingsinc.com/pdf/amerlock-400.pdf

The plan is to roll it on as I don't have a spray gun that will handle the epoxy.

 

My skills haven't progressed to aluminum fabrication yet. Well I do know how to pop-rivet it together, but I didn't think that would fly in this application.

Steel is just too easy to mess with aluminum.

 

UMHW is great to work with.

I have built a couple skid plates for RZRs and Rangers out of it. Easy to cut, easy to bend, easy to drill, not that heavy, and extremely tough.

 

I understand. Back before I realized what being a man was, I owned a DCSB Colorado. Had a toolbox on it and ended up buying a trailer just to pull the quad around, kind of sucked. So what else do you have left to do? What else do you need to get so you can throw it on there and finish up?

 

Let's see;

- Headache rack
- Side rails of some sort
- Mounts for the center tie downs
- Purchase a sheet of 3/8" UHMW
- Mounts for side panels
- Finish the gusseting on the feet
- Paneling for the tail lights
- Mount for the CO2 tank
- Mount for fire the extinguisher
- Mount for the hi-lift
- Support bracket for the fuel filler neck
- Clean up the cab-back wiring
- Re-install the rock lights


Just a few things to wrap up.

 

Just give me the rock lights and it's one less thing you have to worry about.

 

I am using GloLight 6" led stop/turn/tails. When I get them hooked up I'll let you know about the stockers.

 

coming together nicely. good job!

 

Uh, my head hurts.

 

Well that's not going anywhere.

 

I'm liking the headache rack.

 

Above or below the deck for the filler neck?