sdaly

So, I recently came out to get in my truck one morning which I had parked on the street and found that someone was kind enough to run into the side of my pickup bed during the night and not leave a note. It dented the pickup bed area directly below the gas filler nozzle and fortunately didn't damage the cab at all. Repair estimates so far are in the $600-$800 range. I'd like to eventually put a flatbed on my truck but can't afford it right now.

My second idea is to just cut out the sheetmetal where the dent is and install an underbody truck box there instead, doing the same thing on the other side of the truck too. Anyone ever done this? Ideas?

2006Mega

the only issue you may have is clearance with the fuel filler tube, otherwise i dont think you would have a problem. i think it would look good, sorta like Fords old camper special.

sdaly

Thanks. I checked the filler tube and looks like clearance shouldn't be a problem. It's flexible enough and the supporting frame rails on the truck bed are big enough that it will create a gap between the truck bed underside and the truck box for the tube to run through. The bigger problem to work around appears to be the forward leaf spring mounting bracket where it attaches to the frame. Probably some of the backside of the truck box might need to be cut away to clear that mounting bracket.

Just wondering if anyone has attempted this before and has any pointers? Any suggestions on box size to use, etc?

SOhappy

Shouldn't be hard to find a black take-off bed for less than that project is going to run you.