SRick 2014 Tacoma SR5 Flat Bed DIY Build

I don’t post often but thought I would share my 2014 Tacoma SR5 Flatbed DIY build. I own a 2017 SR Utility 4x4 and a 1993 DLX 4x4, but thought this 2014 Tacoma would be a fun project for completion for my retirement to a farm somewhere.

Goal: Upgrade a Tacoma to carry a bit of extra load, with a flatbed/stake bed for use on a farm and as a general work truck. I plan to upgrade the suspension to make it a little heavier duty and to carry the steel frame bed box. I don’t plan on off-roading with this truck but want it to be capable. Also, want a truck that will go for 300,000 miles, which I should be long gone. My 1993 Toyota has over 300,000 on it that I’ve owned for 30 years, so splitting miles between my 1993, 2017, and 2014 should get me through the next 30-40 years unless EVs take over.

Starter Vehicle: I purchased a used, salvage title 2014 Toyota Tacoma, V6 4.0, 6MT, SR5 4x4 with 45,000 miles from CoPart for $10,000.00 (some guy kept upping the bid- uggh), with a great maintenance record through Carfax (minus the bed damage). The truck bed was totaled, but the rest of the truck/frame is fine. Truck drives great up to 80 mph, but I rarely go over 70. I’ve been driving it the last two months since I received it, and not going to lie, more fun to drive with the 4.0, 6MT versus my 2017 2.7, 5MT. Checked all fluids and maintenance, and all caught up. Next, change plugs (don’t know if it was done before) and will swap all fluids at 50K, just so I have a good start point for maintenance.



Build Plans:

Tires: Trying to determine what to go with, probably a C1, as I think it will be enough tire for this project.

- Cooper Discoverer AT3 LT LT 265 /75 R16 112R C1 OWL 46 lbs.

- Cooper Discoverer ATP II LT 265 /75 R16 123R E1 RWL 51 lbs.

- Yokohama Geolandar X-AT LT 265 /75 R16 123Q E1 RBL 55lbs.

Suspension: I am going to determine the weight of the flatbed once I am done with the fabrication. Tacoma without the bed weighs 3880 lbs. as per scales at my local county waste management yard. I will mount and weigh the truck with the flatbed installed and determine the suspension to get, probably 2-2.5” lift with upgraded rear leafs.

Looking at getting a Sumo or other air system

OME Coil/Bilstein 5100 Kit w/ Dakars (HS05BK-1-Dakar), The "Medium Duty" leaf pack (EL111R)

or

OME Coil/Bilstein 5100 Kit w/ Heavy Duty Dakars (HS05BK-1-Dakar)

Other upgrades:

- Seat Belt Extender Pros, Toyota Tacoma Seat Belt Extender Rigid 3” Gray, Product #: 8SS3gr, x1 for passenger side seat belt ($21.99)

- Install 2016-2020 Toyota Tacoma 9-Piece Interior LED Light Kit ($16.99)

- ECGS Front 4x4 Needle Bearing Replacement Bushing.

- RCI Tacoma Fuel Tank Skid Plate | 05-Present Tacoma $460.00- I get weirdly nervous about fuel tank protection.

- Desert Does It, Toyota Front Seat Jackers (99.00) www.desertdoesit.com. Works well on my 2017, so will add them to this truck.

- Wheel Skins, Black Leather Steering Wheel Cover ($59.96) 65.95 Black

- Install CLAZZIO Leather Seat Covers, Gray ($359.10) Dark Gray. Want to have the seats last as long as the truck, and also have them on my 2017 SR- love them.

- Husky Liners X-act Contour Series | Front Floor Liners - Black $128.99

- SET Overland Fenders ($600.00)

- Differential Breather relocation mod

 

Setting the frame mounts and supports

Fabricating the Flatbed:

I have a welder and weld so-so. I have a local steel fabrication shop for sourcing the steel and cutting (would love to have a plasma cutter, but couldn’t justify it), so they do portions of my cutting and fine fabrication. I have most of the bed fabricated with a current cost of $2579.00 as of 4/22/2023, which includes everything utilized to build this bed (paint, bolts, steel, plasma cutting, etc.). I think total construction will finish about $3700.00, and curious to see what the weight of the bed turns out to be. I’ve got about 12-14 hours into it with labor. I’m still figuring out the fuel neck and the LED lights I have hooked up have hyperflash for turn signals, but I’m not too worried about that at the moment.



Materials and Cost from 3/18/2023-4/22/2023

• Steel Frame: $ 606.00

• 4 x 3x1 ½ x 3/16 steel tubing crossmembers: $491.00

• 6x Support Plates cut to spec: $60.00

• 2x 80” 4x2x 3/16” steel tubes: $334.00

• 1x 52” and 2x 44” 2 ½ x 2 ½ “ ¼” steel angle: $124.00

• Labor and cutting: $170.00

• 8 - 2x8 Treated Lumber for Bed Base= 58”= 8 2x8: $78.25

• 1 - 2x10x8 cut to 8” width: $12.25

• Bolts x 18 plus washers and nuts 4” long, ¼” x 4” carriage bolts: $18.00

• 5/16 Drill Bit x 2: $23.00

• Farm Implement Paint: $70.00

• 3x cans self-etching primer Rustoleum: $38.97

• 6 M12-75 x 70MM Bolts, 8.8: $12.00

• 12 ½”x3” Grade 8 Bolts, washers, nuts: $28.00

• SET Overland Fenders: $600.00

• Headboard Steel and Fabrication: $TBD

• Turn Signal Fabrication and Steel: $TBD

• Plasma Cutting Charge: $53.50

 

Tacked the Bed Frame together, 70" x 80"

 

Drilled the Frame and Bed Mounts for Grade 8 bolts and mounting


Cut out the Bed Frame cutouts for flush mount

 

Cut Wooden Treated Lumber Base for Flat Bed

Drilled mounting holes for carriage bolts

 

Mounted, centered, and secured Flat Bed Frame to Frame Mounting Brackets

 

Tack Welded Flat Bed Box to Frame Mount Beams. It will sit in the garage until the headboard and headache rack, turn signal mounts, support steel, and side board mounting hardware is completed. Then it will be primer x 2 and two coats of low gloss black paint. A couple of fine fabrication points will be the backup camera mount and the fuel filler neck adjustment.

 

Awesome!

 

If anyone would like to provide recommendations on the Sumo/Lift Heavy Duty suspension, I would greatly appreciate opinions. I have been researching some of the overland/camper builds to get ideas for the heavier rated suspension. I would be driving with it unloaded most of the time, but would like capacity to go heavier without impacting unloaded driving too much, but there are tradeoffs. Also, any recommendations on upgrades to handle heavier loads, e.g. brake upgrade.

Note, I have a 3rd Gen also, so am prepared for overly critical opinions and recommendations that may come from that forum- LOL.

 

General springs KC makes HD rear leaf packs.
They handle more load than the truck should handle...

 

Finished Phase 2, fabricating and attaching the headboard with the help of Fayetteville Steel, mini-headache rack, gussets, turn signal mounts, tie downs, and sideboard mounts. Total Cost now at 3500.00. Just need drill and mount turn signals and rear camera and remove, clean, prime and paint. The remount and wait on fender flares from SET.

 

A couple of more pics- just noticed still need to attach the rear board mounts

 

Final Pics

 

I think you're close to max out weight with the steel before loading.

 

I agree

 

Yep, I'll see when I re-weigh it after construction- went a little too heavy duty

 

Bed frame cleaned with acetone and primed. Ready to paint it this week with Rustoleum Farm and Implement Black Low Gloss.

 

Finally got the Flatbed painted, mounted and wired. Will run with this for a while until I get new tires, upgrade suspension, and upgrade brakes. Then the occasional mod.

 

Final Truck Flatbed pictures. In about a week, I'll go weigh it at the scales and calculate GVWR and load capability with the new weight of this flatbed on the truck.