Building a flatbed for a regular pickup?

IHDiesel73L · Jul 19, 2011

I'd like to get rid of the rusted out stock bed on my 2003 F-350 SRW and replace it with a flatbed, partially for looks, and partially because I think it would be a lot more user friendly. All of the articles I've found online are about building beds for a chassis-cab truck, not a truck that was originally equipped with a bed, which I've heard is very different. Anybody with pics/plans?

Wolfy · Jul 19, 2011

I've had similiar thoughts. If you have adequate time, I think you could remove the OEM bed and lay out the ribs, that would make the overall picture much clearer. The aluminum beds were $3,000 ($5,000 to dump).....It is hard to justify. If I built one, I probably would mock it up with 2x4s.

Rustyiron · Jul 19, 2011

It's not hard at all depending of your welding capacity. A platform for a srw pu is no different form a CC tk, that is unless your PU frame is not built with flat and paralell frame rails I believe that the Ford you have is. Now a dump is more complicated by about 3. For a reg flatbed (platform) body, Just start out with your long sills. They are the channels (prolly 4") that go on top of the tk frame. They need to be "tall" enough to allow for tire (suspension) travel thru it's operating range without hitting the bed. Then you add more channel, crossways at about 16" O.C. to support the chosen bed mat. (pt wood makes a nice no rust/paint choice) , then wrap the whole outside edge with another chan. that will "cap" the whole works off.
But ook around and inquire at any local truck equipment shop that does this type of install, they may have a pu bed trom a take off for a utility body installation. I bought one this way with a tailgate and both taillights for $600. and the color even matched. They also might suprise you on the price for a "store bought" bed. I've seen them for under $1500, and that will save you a lot of work.

LBrown59 · Jul 19, 2011

IHDiesel73L said:
I'd like to get rid of the rusted out stock bed on my 2003 F-350 SRW and replace it with a flatbed, partially for looks, and partially because I think it would be a lot more user friendly. All of the articles I've found online are about building beds for a chassis-cab truck, not a truck that was originally equipped with a bed, which I've heard is very different. Anybody with pics/plans?

I'd love a flat dump bed on that.

MotorSeven · Jul 20, 2011

My wife drove my '03 Chevy DRW thru an 8'gate. At first I got mad at her for not using a shoehorn & grease, but then I thought, "I can finally get my flatbed":thumbsup:. I thought about building one, but materials and time would add up quick, so I found a C&M SS bed that was new but slightly scratched and dented for $1200.
That was 2 years ago and I absoutly love having a flatbed...way more usefull than a reg bed.
SS Truck Beds