Would using 1/8 or so steel diamond plate be prohibitively expensive?
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Would using 1/8 or so steel diamond plate be prohibitively expensive?
A little bit, I priced it out at about 600 sheet. I think that I would prefer wood anyway just to help minimize noise and keep things lighter maybe. My dad has an old trailer with diamond plate deck, that I may cut into if I later decide to go that route. It is under a bunch of snow right now though.
I have zero data on hand to back this up, but don't composite decking materials deflect pretty easily? Like 12" OC? Seems sub optimal for a truck bed.
I still have those 3 ceiling vents if you want to come grab them sometime. They might end up in the garbage when I move so don't let them go to waste.I have zero data on hand to back this up, but don't composite decking materials deflect pretty easily? Like 12" OC? Seems sub optimal for a truck bed.
Would using 1/8 or so steel diamond plate be prohibitively expensive?
How the hell did you get the only "pickup" tag in the state of Georgia? I can't believe it hasn't been used before on the millions of trucks in our state.Like @kittric, I went back and forth on materials, i.e. wood (cedar, TP, etc.) and eventually landed on 1/8" steel. There's no perfect or definitive answer here - each has its pros and cons. We ran the calcs on the weight, and the all-steel bed is damn close (maybe lighter) than the factory bed. I am leaning toward wood slats for the fold-down/removable sides though.
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... headache rack and receiver hitch/cross-member are next... then powder
Compared to wood, yes. But you could go thicker to compensate. I wouldn’t use big box store decking for example. But a specialty lumber store might give more substantial options. This is a conundrum many have encountered. PT, these days, is a shorter term option. Alternatives will last longer, give better service, but require some research.I have zero data on hand to back this up, but don't composite decking materials deflect pretty easily? Like 12" OC? Seems sub optimal for a truck bed.
My son would give his left nut for that rig.Like @kittric, I went back and forth on materials, i.e. wood (cedar, TP, etc.) and eventually landed on 1/8" steel. There's no perfect or definitive answer here - each has its pros and cons. We ran the calcs on the weight, and the all-steel bed is damn close (maybe lighter) than the factory bed. I am leaning toward wood slats for the fold-down/removable sides though.
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... headache rack and receiver hitch/cross-member are next... then powder
That bed is looking nice! It also looks strong enough to bump into some trees without any problems!Like @kittric, I went back and forth on materials, i.e. wood (cedar, TP, etc.) and eventually landed on 1/8" steel. There's no perfect or definitive answer here - each has its pros and cons. We ran the calcs on the weight, and the all-steel bed is damn close (maybe lighter) than the factory bed. I am leaning toward wood slats for the fold-down/removable sides though.
... headache rack and receiver hitch/cross-member are next... then powder
That was a design criteria - pivot on a tree and come out unscathed. I do anticipate adding some strips... something to deck to add some traction. Can you imagine standing on that deck on hill... in muddy boots.That bed is looking nice! It also looks strong enough to bump into some trees without any problems!
It was moved up and in the final position now. I will have to guide the lowering rod in from the side now. I was thinking of putting a tube at this spot big enough to hold an axe handle. That way I could push an axe in handle first and clip it in for storage and pull it out when needed. Might also do something similar in the front section for other tools also.I stand by my claim that this is fantastic.
Maybe I missed it but how are you going to access the spare tire drop down? Or are you relocating it to the bed?