Buy a flatbed or build one?

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I want to change my pickup to a flatbed. I am torn between buying a stock bed and building my own. I would like to build one to my own specs ,but what do you guys think. btw - I don't weld but I have a local fab shop that has done some work for me that can do whatever I want. So which is better ,and any ideas of cost to do a 7 x 9 foot flatbed with headache rack and a wood floor?
Reply:Id do it yourself.  Took me only a week to get to where I felt confident enough with stick to do that kind of work.  With a used box, materials, etc you should be able to do it for around $550 easy (depends alot on your steel yard, and what tools youve already got).  A fab shop will cost you $$$$ if not now, then half way through.  Would want to remove the fuel tank though...or at least I would!ThermalArc 185MillerMatic 180 w/ AutosetVictor Cutskill Oxy/AcetyleneThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 38and spite!
Reply:Originally Posted by smitty58I want to change my pickup to a flatbed. I am torn between buying a stock bed and building my own. I would like to build one to my own specs ,but what do you guys think. btw - I don't weld but I have a local fab shop that has done some work for me that can do whatever I want. So which is better ,and any ideas of cost to do a 7 x 9 foot flatbed with headache rack and a wood floor?
Reply:i built a flat bed for my truck it measures 8' by 10' it costed about $1600 to give you an idea of price but, you can usually find used ones for pretty cheap, and oh yeah, the floor on mine is steel, so you could cut down on the cost if your using wood floor.
Reply:Dad and I built one for my old 79 ford.  I didn't have a welder at the time.  Dads was 200 miles away.http://new.photos.yahoo.com/rjlindbl...60762314907441
Reply:I bought all the materials to build a 6'6" X 8' flatbed using 2x3 tubing and steel checker plate as floor with a louvered headache rack. I was going to make it a dump bed (I still like that idea), but sold the truck cause I couldn't track down a starting problem (460 Ford). I got the stuff about a year ago, before the steel prices got stupid and it was about $450.00. Sorta like this: Attached ImagesNot a beginner, not a pro !
Reply:I built this bed (I know its a crappy pic)about four years ago.The main frame is five inch channel,crossbeams are two inch square tube.The headache rack is also two inch square tube with 3/4x#9flat expanded metal on the top half and 10gauge sheet covering the bottom half.The floor is made of wood 2x12`s.One of these days I`ll get it blasted and painted   edit:  The bed measures 6 1/2ft wide by 8ft longDarwinian evolution used to fix stupid. Now that humans have mostly removed themselves from the process of natural selection the survival rate of idiots has skyrocketed.
Reply:I did this a couple years back. With the price of steel today it is not going to be 450.00 to say the least. More like 1500.00 for ALL the material. If you are not a welder and fabricate on your own then you might want to think about buying one. Here is my link on the build up.http://www.tjsperformance.com/chevytruck.htmT.J.
Reply:Very nice tjs.  What a good project..Various GrindersVictor Journeyman torch200cf Acet. 250cf oxygenLincoln 175 plus/alpha2 gunLincoln v205t tigLincoln 350mpEsab 650 plasmaWhen you can get up in the morning, Its a good day.Live each day like its your last.
Reply:Originally Posted by TJSI did this a couple years back. With the price of steel today it is not going to be 450.00 to say the least. More like 1500.00 for ALL the material. If you are not a welder and fabricate on your own then you might want to think about buying one. Here is my link on the build up.http://www.tjsperformance.com/chevytruck.htmT.J.
Reply:It all depends on the options you want on the bed.  Hitch, siderails, dump, etc.  It'll probably well over $2000 for a fab shop to do it.DewayneDixieland WeldingMM350PLincoln 100Some torchesOther misc. tools
Reply:We just finished this bed last month. materials were around $1,000.00.It took 3 weekends to build. You cannot see it but the bed has tool boxes in the bed, one on each front corner. Attached Images