Just traded for a 85 Chevy K20 4x4 with Flatbed. Installing 4" lift front springs and doing a shackle flip on the rear this weekend. Will be running 35" tires once lift is completed.
Question?
This truck has a diamond plate flatbed on it, and I really want to keep the flatbed, but its going to need some Modifications to be converted to Trail Use capabilities.
Does anyone have any pics or drawings on a workable trail capable flatbed setup for a full size Chevy truck?

Any help is appreciated.
Thanks, Jim C.

I know that you didn't ask for commentary on the lift, but I assume that you know that you will have to do a bit of front fender trimming to fit 35s with a 4" lift. I had a trim a bit to run 35s on my K20 with a 6" lift to allow decent flex.

Good luck on your flatbed project.

Bud

Does anyone have any pics or drawings on a workable trail capable flatbed setup for a full size Chevy truck?

Any help is appreciated.
Thanks, Jim C.

What are you going to use the bed for? Workable meaning still use it to haul stuff or workable for a trail rig?

Do you have a 14FF or 14SF rear?

Sounds like a great project

Well, I am still considering keeping it usable, but I may have to do some work to the rear section, its got a drop down section with two stacked 2" receiver tubes that look like they will be a problem offroad. I am thinking on shortening the rear up to where my trucks rear frame stopped. This bed has an extended rear section that goes out about 3 foot past the factory rear frame rails.
I think the rear is just a stock 14 bolt-non floating axles.

What are you going to use the bed for? Workable meaning still use it to haul stuff or workable for a trail rig?

Do you have a 14FF or 14SF rear?

Sounds like a great project

No problem, I have a 3" body lift to throw on it if needed. Thought I would try the springs first just to see what happens. The lift is a Tuff Country lift and I stacked a couple extra leafs under the front also to make it just a bit stiffer, plus it gave me another inch of lift also. If I can make it work this way it will save me from having to do any driveshaft mods right away. Last 6" lift I did ended up not leaving me much slip on the front yoke during articulation. Left a very floppy front shaft. Rather not have that to deal with right now.

Thanks for the advice though.

I know that you didn't ask for commentary on the lift, but I assume that you know that you will have to do a bit of front fender trimming to fit 35s with a 4" lift. I had a trim a bit to run 35s on my K20 with a 6" lift to allow decent flex.

Good luck on your flatbed project.

Bud

If it is a stock 85 axle, it would be a 14B full floater wouldn't it? I don't think they made light duty 3/4 tons until the IFS trucks.

If it is a stock 85 axle, it would be a 14B full floater wouldn't it? I don't think they made light duty 3/4 tons until the IFS trucks.

Many 3/4 tons in the 1980's had 8 lug 14SF rear ends.

Dont really know for sure. I just know its a Corporate 14 bolt rear. The outer axle housings are flat and flush with the rim center and do not unbolt. I do not know a lot about Chevy Corporate 14 bolt Axles. How do you tell the differences?

If it is a stock 85 axle, it would be a 14B full floater wouldn't it? I don't think they made light duty 3/4 tons until the IFS trucks.

yep, sounds like you have a SF

click on the navigation link above right and select tech dept. Read up in the 14 bolt Bible......

Yotakong, check your PM's, bro.:beer:

Got it man, thats a really cool bed. Wish I could use it but right now I am just looking at making mods to my existing flatbed to make it more trail friendly, but yet still usable when needed.
I got some buds that might be interested in it though.
Yotakong, check your PM's, bro.:beer:

Many 3/4 tons in the 1980's had 8 lug 14SF rear ends.

Many if not most. My 83 and my buddy's 85 K20 both came with 14BSFs, and I can't recall seeing a post-1980 K20 with a FF.

Many 3/4 tons in the 1980's had 8 lug 14SF rear ends.
Oh, didn't know that. Shows what I know I guess.:rasta:

Many if not most. My 83 and my buddy's 85 K20 both came with 14BSFs, and I can't recall seeing a post-1980 K20 with a FF.

I agree, but if ya post that virtually all mid/late 80's 3/4 tons came with 14SF's there will be 10 posts immediately stating that "my cousins best friend in high school had an 86 3/4 ton with a 14FF"

:D

:rolleyes: Hey guys, can we work with the fact that my truck has a 14 bolt SF and get back to the original question in my post?

I am trying to redesign a stock OKIE diamond plate flatbed-8 ft. wide by 10 ft. long so its usable offroad.
Since my truck was 3/4 ton, and a long wheel base, this flatbed now extends out past the ends of my trucks frame rails by about 2.5 more feet. This makes for a very poor clearance between my trucks back end and the ground when climbing.
My plan right now is to cut off the extra 2.5 ft. of flatbed and weld the end cap back on right at the end of my trucks original frame rails, and cut off the lowered receiver hitches and relocate them up into the area between my frame rails. I think this should give me much better rear clearance when climbing and still leave me with enough bed area to mount my tool box, spare tire rack and external roll cage.