Flat bed build

Alrighty so I scoured the internet for days looking for 3rd gen tundras with a flat bed and came up with very little. Then about a week ago I looked in the metal dumpster at work and found loads of 2 1/2 x 2 1/2 square tubing with some crap welded to it and knew what I had to do. Soooo this is how it’s goin.

 

That looks like it's going to be both unique and interesting.

 

I’m gonna be goin of grid and a flat bed is gonna be real nice for farm chores. Gonna put air bags in the back so I’m not sagging out my suspension. Not gonna put a fifth wheel hitch in yet but I’m considering it

 

Nice! Any plans to box in that open C channel frame under the bed?

 

It'll look sweet

 

NICE! Mines gonna be a bit wider than that but it’s good to know that someone else has done it!

 

https://www.tundras.com/threads/flatbed-tlm-tundra.23091/

There are a few guys around here running flatbeds. Quite a few first generations and then some modified overland build flatbeds as well.

 

I considered a pre fabbed aluminum flat bed with headache rack just after I bought my truck. Decided to keep the bed because of the ability to build a drawer system and hard top to keep items out of sight and secure. Already have locking tailgate, added headache rack, side rails, removable rear rail.
DIY hardtop and drawers coming soon. Have flatbed trailer for easy pallet loading when needed. Just didn't make sense to me under my circumstances to buy the flatbed.

 

Naw I think I’m gonna leave it open, there’s a lot of 3/4 ton and a few 1 ton truck with open channel frames so I figured I’m good

 

The axle limits your weight capacity anyway.

 

This is true

 

Prop's OP.

Looking forward to seeing the progress

 

There’s a 5.7 flatbed locally that I’ve seen a bunch of times, very cool project!

 

UPDATE! Got a lot done this weekend, considering side panels with storage but I kinda like the bare look. I put ply wood down for the time being cause I had a bunch laying around but I have some cedar trees drying right now and I plan to rip boards out of em and use that for the deck.

 

That's awesome!

 

This is exactly what I was hoping to would be. Cool!!!

 

Where?

 

Damn that looks amazing, might give this mod a second thought if I can make it work for my job.

 

Not sure. Pulled those off reddit.

 

Saw this guy on the road today...

 

Deck looks good. How big did it turn out? Needs some underbody toolboxes now.

I've considered an aluminum deck for mine. Or a 6ft service bed, but those are hard to find.

 

Might want to weld on some D rings and stake pockets, make you some side boards and tail board for those times when a box is desired. Best of both worlds. I like it a lot, especially since the factory bed floor in mine has very little weight bearing capacity in many places. Unfortunately, going to have to build me a solid floor in there to distribute cargo weight to the bed crossmembers. Saw one member here with a buckled bed from a little weight apparently in the wrong spot.

 

I really like your build. I'm looking at doing the same thing to my 15 CM in about 4 years when I retire it from being a daily driver. It will make life around the ranch much easier with a flat bed to work off.

 

I love the raked forward head ache rack. That is what has been keeping g me from buying a commercial off the shelf unit. A flat HAR just looks silly on the DCs.

Do you have a straight on side shot by chance?

 

I don't know, when it's time to clean the window maybe okay. I considered a hinged grate in a DIY rack, but I got a deal on this and just placed it back enough to work. Of course, not for everyone. Also didn't use factory mount brackets.

 

Cool! Deck looks good. I love garage mods. My box is rusted out and I’m also on an acreage and would love the usability of a deck. I’ve been tossing the idea around to deck mine. Or get a service body if a guy could find a cheap used one.
Looking forward to seeing the cedar deck

 

On the crew max I think it fits - that looks great!

 

This guy has the coolest flatbed I've seen on a Tundra... https://www.instagram.com/tundraflatbed40/?hl=en

 

Yeah.. that has me feeling a certain type of way.