bladwin's '17 DCLB flatbed build

[Bladwin]

Howdy folks! I got this guy in spring of '19. It came with the stubby front bumper and a Warn as well as LED Headlights which was great. I slapped some AP sliders on it and braved the Naches Trail here in WA, folding stock skids and leaving bits of bumper trim along the way. Next summer I added some CBI skids and fabbed a little platform. On the same route I met a stump on the drivers side and put a small gouge in my bed along with some minor fender re-alignment...

I had been slowly saving and buying the pre-required lift components and finally got that in mid Nov. Which was really exciting as then I could start on the flatbed! (that gouge bothered me)

I had built a bumper center for my '91 Suburban (for sale...) that was never installed. I stuck it in my frame and then encased it in 1/4" and 3/16" and then started hand wringing about the bed design. Main frame is together, temp mud flaps, and wheel well cover and some lights on to make it drivable and miles of work ahead of me! I wish I wasn't Feb and that I had a garage of even a car port. I got the skeleton of the headache rack close to done. I'll post more pics...

Looking fwd to forum life

 

[OzarkLander]

Wow! Excited to watch this build. Welcome to the best forum.

 

[Tacomadad18]

Hello and welcome to Tacoma3g! Saw you been a member for a bit though.

It’s nice to see someone else doing things differently . Looking forward to pics to come

My Offroad bed I built a while back.

 

[Bird dog]

Welcome aboard.

 

[Biohazard]

I've always admired you guys who have the ability to cut and weld your rigs...and a little envious that you live where the trails and lifestyle work for that. Hope to get out there some day.

 

[Bladwin]

Thanks for the welcome. TacomaDad18, yours is like one of three 3rd gen bed builds that I've seen. Looks great! It's been a daunting process for my caveman welding skills. Here's what I got done on the headache rack before the snow...

 

[Bladwin]

This is where I'm trying to get to by May...

Under the bed I have a battery, compressor, air tank and water tank and all the wiring plus the fuel door to do as well!

 

[Tacomadad18]

This is where I'm trying to get to by May...

Under the bed I have a battery, compressor, air tank and water tank and all the wiring plus the fuel door to do as well!

It is so much work but keep on going. I like it.

I am so new to welding it’s not even funny lol. I just enjoy it when I have the time.

 

[Bladwin]

Plugging away. Stoked to get the main frame together today! Messing around with this canvas...

 

[Mr Hushwing]

Loving this flatbed build!!! I too will soon be following in your footsteps as soon as i sell my Taco bed! Ill be watching this build, and keep up the great work.

 

[Bladwin]

I got stuff done! I had a bunch of boring gusseting to get through which was slow going due to life and weather but finally got the top rack frame basics done and hugely, the bed laid!

I found a darker beige hdpe which turned out great but I'm 10" short in that center section. I may weld in plate, we'll see. I got one box bolted to the L-track, need to order another and then tomorrow I should get a big SKB box mounted in the center. I have the track spaced on the side so that i can ditch a box and turnbuckle my cooler in there. Still tons to do but I'm under funded and over budget.

I'd like your opinions, I need to replace the tail lights. (It's a long story) I came across the HWMMV tail lights and got real excited. I need to mount them. They're big and won't go underneath without interfering with my shackle points... I drew up the examples... Does it look weird? The center section could be a tailgate... What do you think?

 

[Bladwin]

Updated pics

 

[Biohazard]

Updated pics

Looks great. Love the soft top look.

 

[Zoey's Taco]

This is such a cool project. #1 on my list of modifications for after this thing is paid off.

 

[Bladwin]

Got dirty this weekend. Good to try it out, need to change some tings.