[CrewCutEnterprises]

I would go with option 1.

I don't think I would want to go over the factory bed length with the flat section.

Personally, I'd like to have an F450 outfitted with the Switch-N-Go

Me too a 550 or 650 with one.. but im triing to keep costs down

 

[lampeslawnservice]

Here's some pics. Sorry if they aren't great it is freezing out first time in a long time.

 

[lampeslawnservice]

some more pics

 

[lampeslawnservice]

and the truck that will probably have one on it in a few years. and also a headache rack I built for trailer. And an eay fix to those heavy tailgates

 

[CrewCutEnterprises]

O my, Thank you soooo much... That is great, As for the fuel filler, Im going to make a 90 degree bracket so it is on the side of the body like it is on the pickup bed not inside, That would make it hard.

How far spaced are your crioss members under the flatbody? maybe 12 or 24..
Also did you add the expanded metal for the dovetail because it was slippery??

Thanks soo much....

 

[Pristine PM]

I am curious what the main benifits of this type of set up are over just having the tailgate insert ramps. I guess this could hold more weight, but it just seems to make the truck more single purpose over the bed which seems somewhat multipurpose. It does look really nice though, as long as you can still tow.

Thanks,

Jon

 

[Jpocket]

I knowI know, I can put the bed right back on, If needed.

Also I cant wait for more pictures!!

I would find another truck for that. Or wait until that one is older. Tha is too nice a truck to be putting a homemade body on.

 

[Edgewater]

On mine, I used 3 inch [ channel down the frame 2 inch channel across and 3 inch as caps down the sides.

For holding it down, it may be tough to find U bolts that are as narrow as the truck frame rails. I just welded a plate on the side of the channel that comes down beside the frame, then bolted through the frame.

Good luck, they are real time consuming.

 

[nt1]

Lampeslawnservice

Good/efficient looking service truck for maintenance!

Around here we could use a truck like that most of the season. Not much lawn waste except early spring and late fall. We mulch all properties.

How do you like it so far? Must be nice not using a trailer.

 

[lampeslawnservice]

Lampeslawnservice

Good/efficient looking service truck for maintenance!

Around here we could use a truck like that most of the season. Not much lawn waste except early spring and late fall. We mulch all properties.

How do you like it so far? Must be nice not using a trailer.

It is a great addition for me used it all last year. I would like it to be on my heavier truck but still use it as a every day driver so not yet. It is a bit heavy for the ranger but added air shocks to componsate. I have had 1500# of fert in the back and it starts to get ugly. I think that is the the best part not having to lift spreader in and out just roll it up and bungie it down. Like I said I would probably design the headache rack different so I could see out the back window better, maybe by making it into three sections (the middle part smaller if you know what i mean) this would also hold gas cans from sliding kinda like two little tool boxes on each side of it. The expanded metal is to make it not so slick, on the flat bed when you paint it you can paint sand onto the steel so it os not so slick.
As far as not using a trailer decided to go this route when one of the guys jackknifed the trailer into the rear quater of the big truck! Thanks for your comments

 

[lampeslawnservice]

Oh yeah meant to mention, that ranger is a 92 that before I bought it was rolled and totaled then repaired and I bought it. It had 21000 miles on it in 93 now has 170,000miles on it paid $6500 for it and it has made me well more than that in its lifetime!payup

 

[lampeslawnservice]

O my, Thank you soooo much... That is great, As for the fuel filler, Im going to make a 90 degree bracket so it is on the side of the body like it is on the pickup bed not inside, That would make it hard.

How far spaced are your crioss members under the flatbody? maybe 12 or 24..
Also did you add the expanded metal for the dovetail because it was slippery??

Thanks soo much....

I tried making the fuel filler out the side but it would not allow the gas to run down onto the tank.

cross members are spaced 24"

 

[DUSTYCEDAR]

some nice ideas i have seen

 

[CrewCutEnterprises]

I am curious what the main benifits of this type of set up are over just having the tailgate insert ramps. I guess this could hold more weight, but it just seems to make the truck more single purpose over the bed which seems somewhat multipurpose. It does look really nice though, as long as you can still tow.

Thanks,

Jon

Well it is a work truck. As for multipurpose, I can run mowers, fert spreader , stump grinder, aerator, snow blower out of this truck. Also it has a snow plow so it would keep busy during the winter.

We could haul mulch and debris also if needed. But we have another truck for that.

Also a pickup bed is 48 inches wide.(inside wheel wells) flatbed is 6.5 to 7 ft wide and 8 ft long. Alot I mean ALOT MORE ROOM

 

[CrewCutEnterprises]

It is a great addition for me used it all last year. I would like it to be on my heavier truck but still use it as a every day driver so not yet. It is a bit heavy for the ranger but added air shocks to componsate. I have had 1500# of fert in the back and it starts to get ugly. I think that is the the best part not having to lift spreader in and out just roll it up and bungie it down. Like I said I would probably design the headache rack different so I could see out the back window better, maybe by making it into three sections (the middle part smaller if you know what i mean) this would also hold gas cans from sliding kinda like two little tool boxes on each side of it. The expanded metal is to make it not so slick, on the flat bed when you paint it you can paint sand onto the steel so it os not so slick.
As far as not using a trailer decided to go this route when one of the guys jackknifed the trailer into the rear quater of the big truck! Thanks for your comments

I should ask you... How big would you make the one for your 8 ft bed. on your big truck?? I guess that might help me decied how big to make mine.

Im leaning twards 9 ft long with 3 ft dovetail or 9 or 10 ft flat with 4.5high double folding gate(9ft total) no dovetail. I could still tow a trailer would be the benifit, if needed. But then again, im triing to get away from trailers

 

[CrewCutEnterprises]

Ok, Here is a picture of the gaping im planing for the bed, I just want to make sure the bed doesnt hit the tire. It will probably be another 2 inches

 

[CrewCutEnterprises]

This is another shot of the body. Im triing to figure out how to still utilize the hitch.

 

[CrewCutEnterprises]

Last picture of the whole truck.

I need some help on decieding how big to make it.... that is a 4x8 sheet of plywood, so i think it should be longer than 8 ft
It is 1.2 ft off the cab right now so where the endof the plywood is is 9ft.I would start the dovetail there. but i couldent use the hitch...

Truck looks badass without a bed right now

 

[lampeslawnservice]

I would go 9' and then add the dove tail. I hav pondered the question how to still use the hitch also, and wonder from the pics of yours could you cut the welds and move it to? haven't investigated it on mine but think it could be moved with alot of quality welding to hold it in place. i wouldn't want to haul to much, but it would be there if you needed it.

 

[Envy Lawn Service]

A bi-fold split rear gate instead of the dovetail is the obvious choice if you want to tow also.