Building a flatbed for my F350

[TSO]

Upon zooming in on the painted frame pic it appears the brake pads are not making full contact with the rotor. May want to check that out before mounting the bed.

Just hasn't been driven... Pads and rotors are "fairly" new. It sat on the dealers lot for a while, then i trailered it home. Probably hasn't seen 50 miles of travel in the last year! Once i get some miles on her I'll take another look at the brakes.

 

[George2615]

The pad wear may be an optical illusion on my computer.
Still a great looking job. Can't wait to see the final installed pics.

 

[ovrszd]

Maybe you already said and I just forgot, what type of paint did you use on the frame?? Looks very durable and well coated!!!

 

[TSO]

It's a brand my local Farm Supply place carries. Called XO Rust i believe. It's labeled as equipment enamel so i hope it's tough. I've never used it before this. Very slow dry time, I'm not super pleased with it so far.

I used Rust-Oleum enamel for the truck frame, added hardener to the mix before spraying, hopefully that turns out strong.

 

[AGRIMAN]

Really nice job TSO. If we where closed, I could have power coated it for you.

 

[TSO]

I would have preferred that!

 

[TSO]

Well had a setback today. I'm really not happy with that XO rust paint. It still hasn't cured, and bubbled or ran in certain places. On the other hand, the Rust-Oleum enamel that I used on the frame last night has already hardened and took on a very nice finish. I spent about 2 hours trying to sand off and clean the XO rust paint. Hoping to pick up a similar color Rust-Oleum tomorrow and repaint it with that.

 

[ovrszd]

Well had a setback today. I'm really not happy with that XO rust paint. It still hasn't cured, and bubbled or ran in certain places. On the other hand, the Rust-Oleum enamel that I used on the frame last night has already hardened and took on a very nice finish. I spent about 2 hours trying to sand off and clean the XO rust paint. Hoping to pick up a similar color Rust-Oleum tomorrow and repaint it with that.

Bummer. Wonder if there is something wrong with your batch of paint?? I've had some Van Sickle paint take a couple days to cure, but nothing like the problem your having. Bummer.

 

[TSO]

Well got the rear axle serviced, new diff cover, finished painting the frame, replaced shocks, reinstalled the trailer hitch... Got her mounted, installed the fuel-fill neck, inserted all the lights (still need to finish the wiring). Picked up lumber for the deck too, so as soon as i finish the wiring i can install the decking.

Oh still need to pickup, drill, and install mud flaps as well.










Here she is next to her bigger sister (F450 crew).

 

[crazyal]

Are you just going to butt the pieces of wood together or are you going to put strips of metal between them? I've never looked around but I would think that you could find metal to hold the wood down that would allow you to also use it as an anchor point for straps. Kind of like the metal inside a uhall.

 

[TSO]

Are you just going to butt the pieces of wood together or are you going to put strips of metal between them? I've never looked around but I would think that you could find metal to hold the wood down that would allow you to also use it as an anchor point for straps. Kind of like the metal inside a uhall.

Nah just going to butt it together. I'll be using stake-pocket d-rings for strap points.

 

[cat fever]

Just came across this thread tonight.

Amazing job TSO, can hardly wait to see it with the wood done.

 

[coldsteelva]

I saw your license plate holes in a previous picture, but where is your tag light?

 

[TSO]

I saw your license plate holes in a previous picture, but where is your tag light?

I'm still shopping around trying to decide which lights I want to use. I'm going to wait waitl I have everything completed and then see how I want to mount them. I'll be leaving the factory wiring accessible so that I can make adjustments when I'm ready.

 

[aczlan]

I'm still shopping around trying to decide which lights I want to use. I'm going to wait waitl I have everything completed and then see how I want to mount them. I'll be leaving the factory wiring accessible so that I can make adjustments when I'm ready.

How about a light built into the plate bolts? Something like Amazon.com: Rupse 2* White LED Motorcycle, Car License Plate Screw Blot Light: Automotive

Aaron Z

 

[TSO]

How about a light built into the plate bolts? Something like Amazon.com: Rupse 2* White LED Motorcycle, Car License Plate Screw Blot Light: Automotive

Aaron Z

That's an option

 

[coldsteelva]

How about a light built into the plate bolts? Something like Amazon.com: Rupse 2* White LED Motorcycle, Car License Plate Screw Blot Light: Automotive

Aaron Z

i have never seen anything like that - that's a pretty cool option.

 

[ovrszd]

Thanks for the update pics!!!! Great progress on a great project!!!!

 

[TSO]

All done. Wiring completed. Decking on. Took her to a couple jobs today, she did great.

Actually... Still need to do mud flaps, plate lights, lights on the headache rack, and a backup cam. But busy season is starting so I'll get to those as time allows.

 

[redman135]

Hello TSO, are you going to put sides on?
How are you going to secure your load, I don't see any tie rails ,are you using underbody hooks?
On my flatdeck I had the sides raised 8mm so I could fit a load strap under the sides to tie down a load that was lower than the top of the sides . It was rare to carry sand and when I did I didn't loose it under the sides. The only improvement I would make to this setup is to add a rear tie rail.