I built a custom flatbed recently and thought I should share.

It all started because I bought new shocks. I tried to remove the bed to ease installation of the rear shocks and the first 2 bolts I turned snapped. I stopped and drove with a bed that was floppy at one corner for a bit. The new front shocks were diving into corners nice and the rear was still kicking like a donkey. I like flatbeds and decided this was the perfect opportunity to build one. I whipped out the tape measure and drew this in autocad. Many revisions later I came up with this. It retains full rear suspension travel.


This is how my truck looked when I bought it.


The wood needed to build this bed. It's all regular construction lumber. I designed it around common sizes. 1 inch longer would increase the price to build by a good chunk. Plus a blanket!


Framed up!


Ready for stain.


It'a tough to see but I cut the bumper off with a torch. The bolts were so rusted together I said **** it. The torch ran out of gas right as I finished, phew. I was on a deadline. This was Sunday night and I had to get to work 2.5 hours away Monday morning in this truck.


Bed is on! I ran 6 carriage bolts through the wood framing boards into the truck's frame to mount it. I spend $30 on drill bits to get this done. Installing mud flaps in the photo, $17 for the pair at Mills Fleet & Farm.


Another angle of the new bed. Some Rangers came with a rear end that gave them a big rake, mine is one of those. I think it looks good with the new bed. I wasn't a fan of it with the stock bed.


The lights I bought were supposed to cover all functions but the Ranger has stupid wiring. I installed the surface mount turn signals last minute and they have grown on me.


Side vview


First load on the bed. Hauling the old bed to the junkyard. I traded it for some old Ford Galaxie emblems/americana. They are badass.


This winter I took a couple 2x4s, straps, and sandbags and got some traction haha.


It cost me about $200. Wood, fasteners, stain, and lights.

What do y'all think of the flatbed?

 

Great workmanship, but not my thing.

 

Very clean and well built. If it were mine, though, some diamond metal plating would be required.

Other than that, well done.

 

I like it. Nice workmanship and it's certainly not a bellybutton car, is it?

What type of stain? Sprayed or brushed?

 

Thanks for the compliments. It's just brushed on deck stain. What is a bellybutton car?

 

One that everyone else has, too, just like everyone has a belly button.

I.e., tri-five Chevy, 67-69 Camaro, any Mustang.

 

beautiful...