So since I cant take any pictures of my progress I thought I'd share a drawing of the flatbed project I plan to do for this when the frame work is done. I have really been getting into how I want to build this flatbed ever since I got that tank out, the progress I have been making makes it all seem so much more do-able and I feel like I really will be able to get this thing finished. So, I present to you, Paint-bed.
This is as close to what I have been planning as I can get, yes its a little crooked looking and I messed up the fender size/shape a bit but you get the idea.
Now here some some reading if you guys are interested, outlining my plans for it.
bumper
I will build a mostly flat steel bumper (gave the other one to my brother for his ranger) which will be sort of simple style common on flat beds. It will house my back-up lights, Clevice mounts/tow points and a receiver hitch. It will sit about where the stock bumper does.
flatbed/deck
The flatbed will not sit at the same hight as the stock bed's floor (tires would rub, seen some like that) and it will not be a true flat bed, because it would have to be like 8" above the frame to not hit tires on full bump. So, the bed will sit around 3" above stock bedfloor, but have notches cut out for the tires on full bump. the bed will be a steel frame mostly of square tubing and 1.5-2" angle iron, which will surround the deck, which will be pressure treated 2x6 most likely, held down by carriage bolts through the outer angle iron frame. Then a piece of sheet metal will hang below the deck and behind the bumper, hiding the frame and also housing 3" brake and turn signal lights.
toolboxes
The under-deck toolboxes are something I cooked up a while ago. Made out of either 22 or 20ga sheet metal, they will be one single piece, connected by the fender. the top of the fender will be one long sheet that also makes up the wheel well, bottoms, and ends of the toolboxes. ideally, the front face, top, and back of the boxes will also be one piece for each box. I figure fewer welded (or riveted, not sure yet) seams will collect less road crap and not rust out, the fender will also have a back piece welded in that hides the frame from the outside and the tire from the bed. the doors will have simple padlocks and have a seal so they are waterproof.
They will be able to bolt on to the deckframe. and be removable, this is so I can built them after I build the deck, as I doubt I will have all the money for materials at once.
headboard and sides
The same goes for the headboard and sides. The headboard will bolt onto the front end of the deck frame, and the wood sides (which slide into loops on the outer edge of the flatbed/deck frame like most do) will also bolt onto the headboard, strengthening both.
tailgate
There will be mounts for a metal tailgate, they will be attached to the deck frame all the time, though the tailgate will not, I have an idea for the latch so that it does have to have the bedsides on for the tailgate to latch, but I could also use it with metal sides later on.
Likely I will not use the traditional cable style stops to keep the tailgate from going down too low. Since the hinges are on top of the bed, I can use fins on the outside bottom of the tailgate which would hit the deckframe and stop the gate from going past 180*.
I also plan to build it so I can bolt a bench vice onto the corner of the tailgate, I am not sure yet if I want to use the clamp on style or bolt on. I don't plan to have a very large vice, just something to work off of if I need to.
Thanks again guys and I would really like thoughts on this particular post and my plans! I know it was a long read but I kind of got myself exited about this and I think it will be a really fun project but if you see a problem or have what may be a better way of doing something I would love to hear it!