Flatbed Ute Build - 02 AC

After a few weeks of of recovery I was mobile enough to get back in the shop. First duty was to add some small boxes underneath for my tools. Ended up using cash register boxes for their low profile and super low cost. Also added a lockbox, first aid kit, and fire extinguisher under the tray. All was easy to bolt wherever needed. I'll post more of a detailed walkaround of the various accessories soon.

 

Next came paint! Used Rustoleum hammered paint for the tubes and door frame, and Rustoleum Farm/Implement paint for the panels and tailgate. Used a roller to apply and it went pretty easily with 2 coats.

 

And then remounted the doors and tubes. Both doors are stiff enough for multiple people to sit on them when opened at 90deg. The carabiner attachment of the door stays makes it easy to drop the doors for heavy loading or access. Door hinges are pintle hinges to make it easy to remove them if needed too

Also added some handles/steps to the rear panel to make it easy to climb up on top of the box

 

found some free wood next to my physical therapy office

 

And that more or less brings me to present day. Next up on the list is to install the front panel on the headboard, add lights in the back and solar on the roof of the cab, and install the newly designed heavy duty frame mounts.

I will post some more in depth images/descriptions of any build steps you all are interested in!

I had a guy in an AEV prospector chase me into a parking lot to check out the build. The prospector was a big inspiration for me. Flatbeds to the world!!

 

This is you guys, right?

https://bigbodytruckco.com/

 

Yep that's us! Been prototyping for a year or so and are now open for business. My build is being used as a testbed for different simple DIY mods to see what's possible and to inspire people.

Full builds are $5-8k depending on size and options, and DIY kits will be coming this summer with a price point between $3-5k depending on options.

 

Yeah, I’ve been inside the shop and met your biz partner. Cool stuff!

 

Here's some more photos of my cash-register toolboxes.

 

All that is so badass. Keep us updated with the pro/con of the plastic lumber over time.

 

My personal experience...
I’ve installed a bunch of the 1” thick Timbertech. It kinda gets soggy (even with zero weight on them) after a while when installed on joists 16” OC. TT recommendations joists 12” OC for that reason.

 

Is that the standard composite/wood Timbertech or the all-PVC Timbertech (used to be called Azek)?

 

It’s the standard composite (Legacy series with a 5/4” thickness). I did just look and some of their other 1.5” decking is rated for 24” OC.

 

Gotcha! The joist spacing on these builds is 12", with no sagging so far after 8 months. I used the 1" thick Vintage Collection, which is all PVC instead of the composite Legacy Series. It's 30% lighter weight and has a 50 year warranty instead of 30. Will update as wear and tear accumulates!

 

Decided to chop up the flat rack into a basket to go above the box.

 

here's an overview of the build as it currently stands!

 

went on a trip to Elephant Hill recently, was a great test run of the rig. Went in fully loaded with 4x people in the cab and it performed great! Dropped the rear corners on multiple rocks, backed into a wall, and the tray shows no sign of damage.

 

Awesome. I've requested a quote on your website.
FYI the gallery has bugs on your website, pics not showing.

 

Did you build those sliders?