'99 Flatbed Hunting Rig Build

That’s been my thought too, unfortunately the oem gas shroud is too big to fit in the triangular spot there in front of the fender, so i’d have to come up with something new there. I’ll have to find a new filler hose with that choice too, it’s still too angled upward.

 

I was under the impression that the roll over valve was connected in the filler hose so I had hoped not to modify it, but looking at the diagram in the now, that doesn’t seem to be the case.

 

It took me a few tries to get something that worked. I don’t even like it yet, but it works. The real struggle is having something below the floor height makes it very close to the tank.


Ended up butchering the sending unit on top of the tank by cutting off the factory metal tube and welding on a hose connector. That let me put in a flex rubber hose up to a new filler from mill supply that was designed for a Chevy step van. Ugly AF but it’s been working for a year.

 

another update to this project. the flatbed is mostly done. I’m building out the dogbox before starting paint on the flatbed and box. I decided I would do a raptor spray on bedliner for the flatbed. I was going to powder coat the thing, but some of my cosmetic welds turned out fugly, so it’ll get the bedliner so I can fix that.

So far I’m happy with the project, but I do worry that it will be too heavy. We won’t know till we get it all on.

 

Dude that pullout drawer in the back is so cool! The rest of the flatbed is looking great, but that little feature stuck out to me. Be a nice little hidden storage place!

 

Thanks, I’m glad you’re liking the build. That drawer was surprisingly difficult to build out, it I’m glad I stuck with it. probably will get filled with bullshit but hey

 

This is looking awesome nice work! Im in the process of attempting to plan out one of these for mine and cant decide on dimensions. Sorry if it was mentioned already and I just missed it but what did you go with for deck width? Also wondering what you ended up with for vertical from deck to top of headache rack?

 

The width of the deck is 65 in; length is 77 in. Remember this is an Extra cab. My rack is 35 in from the deck to the bottom of the rack top-rail, but remember that you’r rack height measurement will be based on how much you choose to elevate your deck from the bed mount. Mine is elevated 6 in above mount height, but I have seen as much as 10 done.

 

There are several Flatbeds running around over here in New Mexico. Most were home Built like you are doing. I have seen a couple that used Trex for the Platform part. They are firewood cutters. They said it cuts down on the weight and if they damage a piece they just have to unscrew it and replace it.

 

Another little update:
first test of the gas filler tube resulted in a bit of spillage. cut it shorter and closer to the tanks and that seemed to take care of it. all hidden behind a door, so cosmetically it’s still good.

I got the whole thing sprayed with bed liner yesterday. 6 bottles of raptor liner.
I ended up having to remove the OME springs and install an AAL. Should’ve done that from the start, and it was a big pain in the ass to re-do all that work. I have a feeling I’ll need to go with Deavers or add a set of airbags in order to handle the dog box. airbags seems like another big rabbit hole to go down, but what can you do?

 

Sooo when can I come pick it up?

 

I’m trying to finish this build before I run out of steam.
The damn dog box is holding me up. it ended up heavier than I wanted, and the drop door latches aren’t coming together easily. it’s all the nitpicky little details that get you stuck.

here’s some pictures as she is now. Almost hate to redneck it up with the dog box now, it looks pretty cool as is haha

 

Aluminum looks clean

sorry for the potato picture

 

Nice! that tailgate was putting in some work

 

Looks great! Nice work.

 

Looks freaking awesome. Makes me want to do it too.

 

It’s mostly in the bed luckily, I dunno if the gate woulda held up

 

little update. 90% done now. dog box is heavy as hell so I’m having squatting issues even with the AAL. Good news is I’ve had her out on the highway and on some dirt roads to shake things down and so far it’s riding well. rides smooth up to about 70, then gets a little rough, but I’m not ever driving that fast anyways.

 

Decided to go with Alcans as an (expensive) fix for the squatting issues. One spring somehow ended up on the other side of the country due to a fedex error, so didn't get anything done this weekend, but hopefully we'll have them installed by next week. I'll have a set of OME springs with add a leafs with less than 100 miles on them up for sale shortly.

 

A little post hunt update. The truck held up well mechanically. The hype is real with these little trucks, they can go anywhere. Biggest problem I’ve had is the edge of the fender cutting into the tire tread a bit when the chassis is flexed. Even with the Alcan’s (which are excellent) I’m running into a bit of squat. I have a pair of Amazon lift shackles I can put on to give a little bit more height when the dog box is on, but since summer is here I took the box off and the rear ride height is great. This thing drives like a dog when it has the box and dogs loaded up, I was shocked how peppy it is with just the flatbed.