Flatbed ideas

[Greg]

Even though I have about 800 other things I need to direct my 'Toyota-building' attention to, I keep thinking about a Flatbed. I drew up the general idea and I'm intrested in what you guys think.

It's not very 'Flat' but the goal it too have a Lockable bed for Tools, Storage, the Spare, etc, yet be able to take the Offroad abuse...... (Minimal Sheetmetal! )

The 'Box' part (Where the spare will sit) will be built as wide at the Frame, slightly Taller than the Spare, angled in the back (For more surface area on the top, and better Departure angle.) I plan to use Square tube for the Main Box, and 1.5" Round Tube for the everything beyond that. The rear panel, with the Brake Lights and License Plate would be Hinged, so access to the spare would be simple (Through the back).

Semi-thick sheet metal would cover the Main Box and the area over the tires. More sheet metal on the sides, but using thinner steel.

Hopefully, I'll be able to haul Bikes, Camping Gear or whatever. I plan to keep my Tool Box in about the same position, just lower.

 

[Greg]

The tires would (Barely) be covered by the top of the Flatbed, but it will angle inward after it covers the centerline of the tire. Here's a Top View-

 

[Greg]

Obviously, the drafts are not sized correctly, but you get the idea!

Thoughts?

 

[Hickey]

I think you borrowed that idea from Tinbender, but I dig it, I dig it a lot.

 

[Greg]

Originally posted by Jeremy
I think you borrowed that idea from Tinbender, but I dig it, I dig it a lot.

Borrowed ideas are what the 4x4 world revolves around! But your right, I did! I plan to make mine alot shorter than his and sealed.

 

[Hickey]

If I ever bought a Toy, I'd have a flatbed on it in less than a week. Flatbeds are the shizzz.

 

[Hickey]

Also, I would make that side panel into a little storage, say just for straps and such.

 

[EZRhino]

Greg,
I'd build as many storage boxes as you can that seal with a gasket so you can put trail tools, straps, etc. in them. Also, find some high capacity drawer sliders and mount your spare to it, so you flip up the rear and slide the spare out, making it really easy to get to. Don't forget the pneumatic rams on the underside so you can lift the frame up with the flick of switch to get un-high centered.

EZ

 

[Vonski]

You go girl...

 

[Greg]

I thought about the side storage, but right now the Tool Box is more than enough. Plus, those panels on the side will see alot of abuse. I plan on making them replaceable (Dzuce Fasteners??!) I think a Storage Box there wouldn't last too long.

 

[pokeyYJ]

I couldn't tell from the drawings but would you put small sides on it so that you could still toss something in the back and it wouldn't fall out?

 

[Hickey]

here you go, Greg

 

[Hickey]

...

 

[Hickey]

What Greg wants from Santa...

 

[Hickey]

one more

 

[Greg]

YEAH!! Very similar, a little diffrent. Where did you got those pics???

 

[Hickey]

I thought you had already seen this, I saw it about 2 hours before you started this thread. It was on PBB under a thread by Tinbender, something like "the latest victim"

 

[Greg]

I have seen the second pic, but none of the others. I want to keep the top of the Box as short as possible.

Originally posted by pokeyYJ
I couldn't tell from the drawings but would you put small sides on it so that you could still toss something in the back and it wouldn't fall out?

Around where the spare would sit, right? Yes.

 

[Hickey]

Do you mean you want the box shorter in length? For better departure?

 

[Greg]

Not Long-Short, but Tall-Short...... duh.....

I want the tire to just barely fit between the Frame and the top of the Box.