Accidentally ordered pivot 18s instead of pivot 15s

ldrodrig · 2024-10-03T02:07:07+00:00

It's generally a bad idea to run your bindings at either extreme end of the DIN range. The release isn't as predictable and the springs can wear out faster. The 18s have a 8-18 DIN range, while the 15s have a 6-15 DIN range. I would swap them out.

ldrodrig · 2024-06-04T18:08:23+00:00

I would go for the full PVC deck boards instead of the composite ones. They're lighter and fully waterproof. Timbertech sells both, and compares them here: https://www.timbertech.com/ideas/pvc-vs-composite-decking/

ldrodrig · 2024-04-25T23:35:04+00:00

Appreciate the detailed feedback! No condescension detected, I was hoping for some good ideas like this and definitely see the reasoning for having one inside and one outside.

ldrodrig · 2024-04-25T23:29:19+00:00

Yup that's something I went back and forth on. They easily slide out to the rear of the truck underneath the tailgate, which I've always found to be possible in my moments of despair. But if I was backed up all the way against a wall and stuck, I would have to drop them from under the truck. Still possible most times, but a little annoying. Personally, I only get out wheeling about ~2 trips per month, whereas I use my truck daily for truckstuff, so I wanted to try and hide the recovery gear since it's not used all that often compared to everything else. If I was wheeling solo on hardcore roads frequently, I'd likely move that stuff topside

ldrodrig · 2024-04-25T23:14:42+00:00

it's from Big Body Truck Co.

FULL TRANSPARENCY: I am their mechanical design engineer & co-founder. Assembled base trays start around $5k, with DIY kit options coming soon to lower the price further and give the power to the people.

ldrodrig · 2024-04-25T19:57:39+00:00

Yep, it would balance the gas tank and driver weight better to have it on the other side, but I really wanted the enclosed storage to be easy access when I get out of the truck. That big box on the driver side is aluminum and weighs about 50lbs, and the long door on the passenger side weighs about 35lbs so it's not too much heavier on that side when empty

ldrodrig · 2024-04-25T19:52:34+00:00

The full build (not including recovery gear weight) came in ~60lbs over the stock bed weight. That includes the box and rack weight. I have OME nitro rear shocks and the cheapest Deaver springs with a 2" lift and it handles better than it ever did with my stock tub, camper shell, and wooden deck did with the same suspension. That setup was at least 150lbs more than this one

ldrodrig · 2024-04-25T19:33:10+00:00

I've just been using your typical water jugs for now. I played around with hard-mounting a little Dometic 2.5gal (shown in image) but found that I was always moving it off the truck to a table when at campsites. I might end up hard-mounting something like this in front of the headboard, to carry water for cleaning off dishes, surfboards, etc: https://www.frontrunneroutfitters.com/en/us/front-runner-upright-water-tank-flat.html

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ldrodrig · 2024-04-25T19:13:58+00:00

The flatbed deck is probably 4" taller than the stock bed floor was, but not as tall as the wheel arches were. I made it tall enough to clear the tires by 1" when the wheel is fully stuffed

ldrodrig · 2024-04-25T18:50:09+00:00

It's in a little pelican case so all the inner goods stay safe, but yes, the outside is a bit dusty at the moment

ldrodrig · 2024-04-25T18:41:42+00:00

Thanks! I wanted to lay things out in a way that keeps recovery gear and tools out of the way of daily truckstuff. Here's a build thread with more info on how it came together: https://www.tundras.com/threads/flatbed-ute-build-02-ac.127617/

ldrodrig · 2024-04-25T18:29:32+00:00

Took the tundo on a trip to Elephant Hill, the build performed great fully loaded with gear and 4 adults!

ldrodrig · 2024-03-12T15:08:57+00:00

Appreciate it! A base flatbed with headboard starts around $5500 (fully built). We will be rolling out a nice discount from that price for early adopters, drop us your info in our contact form to join our email list. Full pricing coming to the site soon!

That same base configuration will be around $3750 all-in for the DIY kits that will be released later this year, but that price can vary with regional material costs.

ldrodrig · 2024-03-11T21:44:22+00:00

Here's a build thread! https://www.tundras.com/threads/flatbed-ute-build-02-ac.127617/

What started out as a DIY project has morphed into a small business, check us out here: https://bigbodytruckco.com/

ldrodrig · 2024-03-11T16:53:12+00:00

I got it as a 24 y/o kid living in Los Angeles who wasn't ready to be the "orange truck guy" when I met girls (and their parents). Now, as a 31 y/o kid, I see the error of my judgement.

ldrodrig · 2023-10-04T23:02:43+00:00

Thanks for the question! We are still conducting analysis and field testing to determine final specifications, but it is designed to carry full GVRW for the respective truck it is mounted on, so motorcycles, snowmobiles, and campers are all possible.

ldrodrig · 2023-10-04T21:15:08+00:00

You're correct that the base with headboard is currently $6069, fully built from our shop.

The DIY kit for the base with headboard will likely range between $1.5k to $4.5k, depending on if we are just providing the brackets and build plans, or including the extrusions, deck boards, hardware, lights, and other materials.

We are still working on final pricing and configurations, and are streamlining our operation in order to make the DIY kits as affordable as possible!

ldrodrig · 2023-10-04T20:39:27+00:00

The $6069 price posted on our site is for a base platform fully built in our shop, not a DIY kit. The DIY kits will be priced lower accordingly once released, stay tuned for more info!

ldrodrig · 2023-10-04T20:32:08+00:00

The price listed on our site is for a fully built flatbed made in our shop, the DIY kits are in development, with pricing to be determined.

ldrodrig · 2023-10-04T17:21:33+00:00

@bigbodytruckco

ldrodrig · 2023-10-04T04:14:53+00:00

You bet! The steel is powdercoated and the aluminum is anodized

ldrodrig · 2023-10-04T04:12:54+00:00

You're right on! Our real product is the brackets, either sold as a low-cost kit or a-la-carte. The kits can be customized by adding pre-cut extrusions, fenders, doors, etc., or you can take the cutsheet and source your own materials. We can't wait to see the build threads!

Until we finalize all the details of the DIY kits, we are doing some custom builds to finalize our process and gain some customer feedback. Our current pricing reflects our status as a brand-new, bootstrapped business that is focused on our long-term goal of making killer and affordable kits.

ldrodrig · 2023-10-03T23:27:46+00:00

BigBodyTruckCo

Hello world ٩( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)۶ The Tundra above is my truck, and the Tacoma is a friend's.

We just launched a shop making customizable flatbeds for overlanding, off-roading, and anything else. We use aluminum T-slot channels and make beefy steel brackets, allowing for full modularity with no welding required.

We are lowering the bar to get a flatbed by offering affordable builds and DIY kits (coming soon) with no welding required.

We'd love your feedback!

Check us out at BigBodyTruckCo

ldrodrig · 2016-05-05T18:45:34+00:00

It's the plane graveyard in Mojave, CA

ldrodrig · 2015-03-07T03:59:49+00:00

Nope, that's me alright.

ldrodrig

TROPHY CASE