Custom Truck beds

[Ryannn]

I wanna build a custom Truck bed, is it hard?

 

[4.0B2]

how good are you with metal work? what kind of bed?

 

[ranger_mclaren]

Depends on your skills and pocket size.

 

[Ryannn]

I have a friends who are excellent with Metal work and welding. My Pocket size is eh. haha

 

[4.0B2]

lol, what do you have in mind for a bed?

i like this one

 

[Ryannn]

Yeah thats what i pictured in my head. haha! How much do you think that would run?

 

[4.0B2]

idk... i can talk to guy and see what he had in materials. i know the guy that's building that truck. steel aint as expensive as most people think.

 

[Ryannn]

Alright, that would be cool!
Im a Junior in High School and im saving up all my money till next November or so to start building my truck up, for our Senior Project. So i dont know how much money i will have haha, But yeah if you could find out how much he spent.. that would be sick!

 

[4.0B2]

yeah, i think i'd focus on drive train first... motor, trans, t/case, AXLES... is this gonna be on the 89 ranger? i'd do the d35 and 8.8 swap with the first money you get. depends on what your project has to be and what you wanna use the truck for. i wish so many times that i would have done the 8.8 swap first..

 

[Ryannn]

I dont want it to be fully built for off roading. I still need it to get around and haul stuff, and get decent mpg. I mean i will do some 4x4 shit, but not all the time, and i want a truck bed like that...

 

[4.0B2]

lol. so its the looks you want... it shouldn't be that hard to make if you know a little about metal work. just make sure someone can weld good.. his is made and bolts on to the frame in the stock bolt holes.. that way its removable and all..

and regardless of what you're gonna do with it, between the weight of the bed- and the weight of stuff you could haul or tow, that 7.5 is not gonna like you.. it'll hold up probably. but... the 8.8 from a 96+ ex will have disc brakes!

 

[Ryannn]

Yeah Basically, I know a guy who does custom Metal fabrication. Yeah i wanna make it so its removable also. Im gonna keep my old bed just in case also.
So i should put the 8.8's on anyway? Is that hard? do i have to swap other stuff out along with them?

 

[4.0B2]

the 8.8 swap will be easy. get one from a 96 or so explorer, with disc brakes...

cut the spring perches off, weld them on the top. explorer's are SUA (spring under axle), weld on shock tabs, and change the rear flange of your driveshaft. there's several write up's on here. just search 8.8 swap in the search bar up top of the page.

make sure to get a 8.8 with gears that match your front if you aint regearing both.

 

[Ryannn]

Doesnt sound to hard. haha! I will pry end up doing that now! thanks.
When and if you get a price quote can you pm me?

 

[4.0B2]

Doesnt sound to hard. haha! I will pry end up doing that now! thanks.
When and if you get a price quote can you pm me?

you got it.. of course steel prices will vary some. he might know about how much he used and you can call the local steel shop and check prices on different things. i'll try to call him tomorrow.