I wanna see your flatbed tacos!

Considering putting a "utility bed" on my 08 regular cab, been doing some research here on them and really like how they look. Has the potential to be much more functional as well. So I'd like to see you're flatbeds or utility beds. Also any input would always be appreciated! Thanks

Ben

 

@1 Bored Clerk

 

@SMKYTXN

 

There were a few guys that put flat beds on their trucks over on www.wanderthewest.com. Some nice options. I almost pulled the trigger on one back in the day on a Ram 3500 I had. I haven't seen one in person on a Tacoma.

 

Why oh why did I have to see this...

 

I REALLY like having a flatbed. The amount of 'floor space' available is amazing compared to a factory bed. It's a tall load floor but I haven't found that to be a huge problem for what I do with it yet. Loading a dirtbike or something feels daunting though.

 

http://www.wanderthewest.com/forum/topic/13475-ak-camper-put-on-utility-bed-or-flatbed/

 

That's amazing! I'm wanting to do something similar just lower profile. I do like the idea of having drawer space, maybe a few drawers large enough to hold a few rifles or what not! Gonna read through your build thread, so much for doing homework...

Thanks everyone keep the pics coming!

Ben

 

So this is kind of what I'm thinking with a drawer system under the flat plate between the tail lights. The "cage" will be removable for other accessories. Thoughts? Anyone see any issues?

Ben

 

Super common with landcruisers in austrailia. The fella from overland bound interviewed a company from AU that is coming to the US.

They're sweet systems, but the enclosed wing ones clock in around 1400lbs in aluminum ,without gear or a tent.

https://youtu.be/EpScTvI_s3A

 

It's hard to fit much of a drawer under a flatbed unless you make the deck pretty tall. For instance, on my UTE bed, you can get a 4" drawer. That's not much depth.

 

I'm looking at a drawer system with 6" of height so nothing crazy here. Would you mind posting a picture of yours? Thanks

Ben

 

Those things are amazing! If only they didn't cost almost as much as I paid for my truck... I'm thinking I can design something and have it fabbed for MUCH MUCH less, just won't have the convenience of having one like this ready to drop on. Thanks for sharing!

Ben

 

Honestly just an aluminum flat deck with 1 3/4" tube around it maybe 4 inches off the flat would be sufficient. Just area to strap some stormboxs down.

That's what I'll be doing with a gen 2 in a year or so. Luxury of being a welder.

 

I didn't get the drawer. It's too shallow to be worth it to me. Plus, now I have room for a small water tank under there.


Here it is with a bunch of concrete in the back. I've changed the angle of the bed a bit so it doesn't look saggy bottomed.


Here's a nice comparison of the extra floor space you gain with a flatbed. That rubber mat is OEM Toyota for a 2nd gen Tacoma.


And here's a near finished picture of the bumper I made since the factory one doesn't really work well (and looks terrible) unless you get different taillights than what they sell with the flatbed (pictured here).

 

That looks really great! I've been eyballing those UTE beds, may have to get some more info on them. You like yours pretty well?

Ben

 

Yeah, I like it a lot. The gas fill situation sucks but it's a small compromise to me. The deck on the bed is MUCH lower Than the factory fill location. So, you rotate the whole filler forward so that it pokes out behind the cab. It's so low that you can't leave the pump on and let go of the handle...it will fall out. Not a huge issue with the factory tank but it can take a while to fill my 34 gallon tank! Plus, I'm not sure how Oregon stations are going to handle that (they require an attendant to pump your gas...which is lame). Usually if your setup is weird, Oregon attendants will let you do it yourself; motorcycles, expensive, classic, rare cars.

 

Appreciate the input! That is really similar to what I am hoping to have built, may just have to give UTE a call and see how much this option would set me back. Looks awesome!

Ben

 

@ChandlerDOOM