New truck, new bed. Rigging out Dodge 5500

[jmtebbens]

The new truck is ordered and on the way. Dodge 5500, reg cab, Cummins, 4x4, Stick.

I'm starting to sketch out the new bed for it and decided I would put up the basic outline and see what ideas are out there. This will be doing a lot of field modification/installation of conveyor components (scrapers, idlers, inspection doors, etc) so it is getting the Trailblazer 302 Air Pak on it. For a variety of reasons, this is what fits the bill at the current time.

Keep in mind that the frame rails are not level on the truck. However, the bed mounting points are all level. I put the rails in straight on the sketch for ease of drawing, I will obviously have to revise some attachement points and clearances when I get the truck. I took these (rough) measurements off of a 3500 that was on the lot.

Pretty much going to frame it out with 2x2x3/16(?). Sides will be 1/8" floor plate. I will probably farme the skirt sides with 1.5x1.5. Not sure about top decking yet. 1/4", 3/16, 1/8", I am just undecided right now.

If you notice, the welder will not be on the bed itself. I am planning to attach it to 3/8" plate and attach that directly to the truck frame. The idea is to keep the overall height of the bed as low as possible. I want to be able to actually use my rearview mirror if I can. I've also thought about adding a body lift to the cab to get even more visibility over the top of the bed. Also notice that the welder is off to the drivers side. That space on the passenger side is where the air reel, and maybe the lead reels, will go.

Like I said, not done yet but it is to scale. I added a ZIP of the Sketchup file if anyone wants to check it out.

Thoughts?

[Cliff Lodes]

So you are gonna put the reels for your leads on the side of the bed that is opposite the controls? Seems like I'd shift it the other way and put the leads where the controls are

[jmtebbens]

I considered having them on the other side. My reasoning for the position is: I do virtually no welding on the truck bed. Everything is welded in location a hundred feet or more away, wireless remote on the welder. I also think the reels would get in the way of the controls if they were on the other side.

I am considering the straight bed sides that I am currently have configured. These trucks are surprisingly round and i feel that I may need to redesign the contours to better match the truck.

Notice how the bottom of the cabs slope forward, away from where the bed would be:



Also notice how far the bottom of the cab is rounded inward:



As a very pleasant surprise, the chassis cab trucks have straight frame rails all the way through!!! That will make this much easier to build.

[LawsonWeldingLLC]

at 43,000 without a bed and with a bed u get 10,000 off, i told the dealer the other day i wasnt ready to buy a new one but i definitely want one haha! wonder if i can work this into the budget ? haha. i think it would look awesome with a rolled side rail on it that matches the body perhaps with tool boxes cut into the side panel down low... you would come flat at the tires and rolled again towards the back behind the axle just my opinion i wanna see the pictures of your bed bein built lol

[Gmmandan]

That is a sweet looking truck I was very close to buying one in 2008 but was a 4 door I just hated giving them my duramax and still having almosta $400.00 a month truck payment for 60 months lol. The 4 door long bed C/c 4x4 stick shift was $42,000 then and they would have given me $21,000 for my truck. Can't wait to see it rigged out though.

[DieselDon16]

Where are you located? That Dodge/Chrysler Dealer Looks Really Familiar.

[jmtebbens]

Let me clarify, that is NOT my truck. I ordered the new one, so it will take a few weeks before it arrives. That photo was something I put up just for a graphic demonstration of the body lines.

Sorry for the confusion.

[DieselDon16]

Oh alright, cause that dealer sure looks like our local Dodge dealer, in PA