2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Flatbed Installation

[rnolen]

Just bought a flatbed for the truck and will be installing it soon, but was wondering how to do this or see if anyone had some pointers. The bed does not have any mounting brackets. I am either going to have to make some or see if the rails on the bed will bolt right up to the frame of the truck. I spoke with the guy that usually does the install, but he wanted 700 bucks to install it. He told me that on the SRW dodges he usually raises the rear springs 2" and makes brackets out of 3/4" angle iron. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Oh ya, The previous owner of the truck welded the gooseneck hitch to the frame. Any suggestions on how to get this off. I was going to torch it and grind smooth. Any suggestions on removing the old bed would be great as well.



Thank you and God Bles





Russ

 

[ndurbin]

My flatbed has brackets welded onto it to use the stock bed mounts and then the flatbed frame sits on top of the truck frame (not at the front tho as the truck frame dips down). The mounts are just made out of 5/16 plates of steel and reinforced. I see nothing wrong with torching the old hitch out, just watch out for wires and such. I picked up a turnoverball flatbed kit from B&W and put it in but have yet to use it.



Nathan

 

[PToombs]

I'd use a grinder on the hitch. If you gotta use the torch favor the frame,you don't want to cut it or get it too hot. Then use the grinder for cleanup.

Set the bed on the frame, then make brackets that bolt to the stock holes then weld them to the bed. Good luck!

 

[rnolen]

I was able to take a look at one yesterday and think I have a good idea on how I want to do it. I was wondering though where you guys put the brackets. Clearly I need one at the front, but I think I am going to put one in the middle and at the end. I haul a lot of expensive horses with this truck and trailer and have to make sure this is done extremely safe. Thank you for all the suggestions and keep em coming.





God bless



Russ

 

[WDixon27]

the guy that put the 11' bed on my truck welded it with angle and plate in 4 places on each side with the bed about 4" off the frame, i am thinking about adding a couple more for good measure

 

[bmoeller]

I used 4" channel to make mounting rails for my bed. The front 2 are wider than the rear 2. The channels have a square piece of plate welded to them, with a 5/8" bolt hole in it to bolt it to the frame (using the existing bolt holes for the truck box).



Used some flat stock and some long bolts to clamp the bed up front, and angle to clamp down on the rear. Has worked well so far.

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

I used the original frame mounts on my 97 as follows:



1) 4" channel spanning the frame for the front mounting brackets with a notch for the fuel tank in the rear side of the channel.



2) The middle mounts near the front have a heavy 3 x 7 angle cut from an I beam which are welded to the flatbed 3" channel member. Go to Pacific or a scrap yard and you can come with some good steel at scrap prices. Grind or wire brush clean as needed before welding.



3) The two rear mounts have 1/8 angle spanning the frame with the mount nearest the front notched for the spare tire frame.



My flatbed has the gooseneck hitch in a hatch in the bed.



Are the expensive horses worth having a welding shop do the mounting, or if your welding skills aren't up to snuff, shop around for a price. When I originally bought the bed they mounted it on my 04 for a $100, i. e. bed plus mounting plus two $200 under rail boxes for $1400. On the 97 I made the mounts and welded it myself. I'd also suggest getting the deck X-lined.



PS: you may want to do the fuel sending unit fix as described on dodgeram.org while you have the box/bed off.