To flatbed or not (any experience)?

I have a 2009 2WD Tacoma...Regular cab, 5-speed.

I bought it last year (I missed my old one) because it had the replaced frame...a week ago I looked at the bumper and noticed it's drooping right. So I lift it and basically just pulled it off! Guess it was very rusted out and wasn't replaced under warranty.

2 days ago I'm at a supermarket and someone backs into my backside of my frame on the passenger side.

Anyway, this all happened as I was considering the idea of flatbeding the truck as it's a work truck. The recent damage just sort of pushed me in that direction! Is the universe saying something?

But I'm curious of anyone's experience doing this? I work construction but have no welding experience, and I'd be happy to do this with wood if it could be done well (and safely). I see there're kits too, but not cheap. Anyway, thanks for reading!

 

mod not cheap
-yes. Person crashes into you. They buy mod.

is it worth modding 2wd
-no.

that being said one kit in particular is cheapest and DIY
The drawback is in its design unless modified drops down low at the back with bad departure angle.

sounds like a good way to practice and learn welding rather than going straight to something really structural like frame and suspension related.

 

Thanks for sharing...Yeah, this is why I thought going with a fully wood rig would be easy and might look good too. Why not worth modding a 2WD or a 4x4?

 

Go canned ham. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3256805849792894.html $2,300 and you’re almost there

 

If you see value in having a flatbed then go for it.

I guess the thought process from the two posters is "OvErLaNd BrO"

Nothing wrong with a 2WD work truck, as tons of work trucks are that same configuration.

So again it comes down to - how much you value a flat bed over a regular bed, how much utility you can gain from a flat bed, etc.

Budget is a big one here, and can be done for much less than if buying one outright and only you can decide if the value is there.

 

Plenty of information can be found by searching, for example: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/flatbed-information-thread.558179/

 

Aluma makes one that will fit decent 66077 I think

or you can get a weld yourself kit


Or you can make one DIY for much cheaper

flatbed with the ability to build some stack sides on a work truck is a good idea

 

And so it begins. First thing will be a section of 4x4 tubing to fit between the rear end of the frame rails to act as the rear bumper and hitch point. Debating on cutting and welding it to the inside of the frame so that it's flush with the end or welding mounting brackets on to the square tubing to bolt it to the top/bottom/outside of the frame more like a bumper would be (this would extend it 4" past the frame rail). Any opinions?

 

I went flatty last year. Bed was damaged on both sides from getting hung up in trees. I weld so steel was my choice. Found a South African Co that makes a tray I liked (19K!!!!) and patterned it from that. Best mod I have made. Didn't know I needed a flat bed but I will never go back.

Edit: Spent about $600 for the metal, $1000 for the lights...

 

Unless you’re a welder like the guy above me, there is no affordable way of doing it.

Guy I work with has almost $80,000 sunk in his taco flatbed project.

 

He was talking about wood as an option-I have seen a few in my town made from wood that looked pretty good. I'll see if I can find any in the next couple days and post pictures.

 

so what you’re saying is it’s not that hard
That I should buy a welder
Maybe skim a book do some trial runs on scrap

then have at it and TIG up an aluminum flatbed

thankfully it’s straightforward and accessible shapes and fixable if mistakes are made

 

Someone reached out to me to design an aluminum one for my truck. Im going to take a year to think about it. The cost would be roughly $13-15k for them to design and build, and Id have to go pick it up in Canada (not an issue)

Its on my mind, but my bed is intact currently so not crazy high on my list just yet

 

I'll be building one this winter/spring, I am making it out of steel though cause I can see aluminum being in the 2-3k for materials only range. I don't think the weight difference is going to be substantial either.

Fully tig welding a bed would take weeks, I think for aluminum spoolgun would be the better choice.

Heavily inspired by overland under budget on youtube with the camper.

 

@Chux just built his with a spool gun

 

I've built a few from treated lumber and they were heavy...but super solid. I used to stack 4" thick concrete sidewalk sections on them. Wish I had a pic still. I built sides that tapered down toward the rear. You could probably build one for a few hundred bucks. The most expensive portion for me was the hardware...bolts, screws, washers, nuts. Never rusted! I'll probably do that to my 2012 if and when the bed falters.

 

Nice!!!

 

Got most of the bumper/receiver built the other day.

 

swwweeeet