DIY: Flatbed for a 1/2 ton

[brushtrooper]

Looking for construction/material ideas for a flatbed to go on a 17' Nissan Titan with 8' bed. This is a regular cab, non XD with 8' bed truck. I have built beds for 3/4 and 1 tons but I did not have be as concerned about the weight
like I will for this truck. I am thinking angle iron and rectangle tube. No GN hitch and I can keep the 2 "reciever hitch and build the bumper around that. Anyone build a light weight bed? Thoughts?

[8mpg]

I have no idea on size of steel, but have you thought about aluminum?

[brushtrooper]

I have no idea on size of steel, but have you thought about aluminum?

No, mainly because I am not experienced in welding aluminum. I have built many projects with steel but I am not a pro welder.

[Kevin Warren]

Watching. Building my son a 81 K10 and we are thinking of building a flat bed.

[ramrod]

https://discussions.texasbowhunter.com/forums/showthread.php?t=691478&highlight=flatbed

[brushtrooper]

https://discussions.texasbowhunter.c...hlight=flatbed

Thank you for the link, that's perfect. I do not have his skills but that definetly gives me some ideas to work with. That's a saweet build there

[Ramball36]

On the first Tacoma build we used 2x2x1/4" Tubing for the frame runners, 2x2x11GA for the crossmembers, and 14GA floor plate on the deck. We had pretty good success with it, but it did try to twist a little when we pulled it off the truck for weld up. On the last one we did, we used 3" C Channel for the frame runners instead and it worked out a lot better. I'll see if I can post up a pic of that one.

[Ramball36]

FoleyBed2

FoleyBed1

FoleyBed3

[ramrod]

Ramball, did you need to run airbags on this truck to counter the weight?

[brushtrooper]

Ramball36, that's sharp. Sent ya a PM

[Ramball36]

Ramball, did you need to run airbags on this truck to counter the weight?

We put airbags on both, but on the tan truck I think it would have been ok without them. Those beds weighed in at 820 and 1100 lbs