Looking for ideas on a Expo bed based on a service body.

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Tnfalconer

New member
I have a 99 Dodge Ram 2500 with the cummins diesel. It's fairly well modified as we live off grid in the mountains of Montana. Lift, 37" tires, front and rear winches, lockers front and rear as well as lots of engine Mods. It is soon to return to duty as my daily driver as well as Expo vehicle. Taking the job over from my 95 Ford powerstoke. So here is the question.

I know that I have seen pictures of an Expo bed based on a service body but can't remember where. I have been looking for a while now trying to find a short wheel base low side service body and I am striking out. My truck is a quad cab so it has the short bed. The ones I have seen are very pricey. Now then, I have been considering designing my own based off of a flatbed. Stack tool boxes on the sides to create the "Bed". Frame it all in and sheet it out. I have skills as a welder and fabricator, so there is no worry there. I just need some ideas before I start designing it. It will most certainly have an integrated roof rack and tire storage on top.
 
T

Tnfalconer

New member
No one has seen one of these? I would have thought it to be an easy solution to storage issues. For me, my truck has to be a jack of all trades. Carrying tools for most any situation as well as camping gear and whatnot. I switched to a service bed on my daily driver and have never been happier. This new truck that I am building is more the same but I want more storage, an enclosed bed with external racks for storage and access.
 
doug720

doug720

Expedition Leader
I have had several trucks with service body's. They have good and bad points.

Good:

Storage that is fairly secure, sealed from the elements and organized

Bad:

Weight - Even the aluminum ones are fairly heavy.
Inside bed width - Typically, only approximately 50" in between box sides.
Top section - Most are designed for the top sides to open upward, so a shell/camper renders this storage useless. Plus non-opening tops are rare to find, compared to opening tops. The tops sections are often ribbed which makes mounting a shell challenging.

Just a couple of considerations.
 
T

Tnfalconer

New member
doug720 said:
I have had several trucks with service body's. They have good and bad points.

Good:

Storage that is fairly secure, sealed from the elements and organized

Bad:

Weight - Even the aluminum ones are fairly heavy.
Inside bed width - Typically, only approximately 50" in between box sides.
Top section - Most are designed for the top sides to open upward, so a shell/camper renders this storage useless. Plus non-opening tops are rare to find, compared to opening tops. The tops sections are often ribbed which makes mounting a shell challenging.

Just a couple of considerations.
Click to expand...

These are most of the reasons for building from a flatbed platform Stacked boxes on the side, as tall or short as you like. Custom shell built over them. Should look seamless. I just wonder why I cannot find images of someone who has done it?
 
A

anickode

Adventurer
There was one member who built a one-piece unit for a flatbed that did exactly what you're looking for... tool boxes in the sides, served as sleeping deck and sitting room inside. Room enough to stand... I can't remember the thread though.

Might be something to consider, unless you want to take the camper off and leave the tool boxes on for work, in which case, you might as well buy a service bed, since having boxes permanently attached to a flatbed totally negates the point of having a flatbed.
 
T

Tnfalconer

New member
I've searched for every conceivable thing and found nothing similar. I am planning to do just that. Build it all as one unit. Side boxes for tools, equipment and other gear. Covered so that the inside can be multi purpose.
 
Joe917

Joe917

Explorer
The truck I think was a Dodge with a service body and a matching trailer. Pretty sure it sold through "vehicles for sale by Expo members". I think a service body with a slide in is a great combo.
 
W

Wilbah

Adventurer
I saw a Verizon service truck the other day and had that thought. It was a dually so depending on what you want to build you might have to chop some out of the middle. But part of the appeal was that the top of the service body was not that high and would give you some flexibility for pop-up, canopy, etc. depending on what you want to have.

Can't seem to post a link to a pic from my phone but just Google image search "verizon service truck" and look for the pickup versions
 
H

HighPlains

Observer
I cant remember who's it is off hand but in the domestic and full size section there are pictures of a white Super Duty Ford with a service body and a popup camper. I havent frequented that section in about a year but if memory serves me correctly it is white with a black stripe. I dont remember if its in the pics thread or if there is a full build thread on it or not, I have a few pics of it saved on my computer at home I'll see if I can track them down.
 
jkam

jkam

nomadic man
Bill Swails did a nice job on a Dodge using a service body and a slide in camper.
503757d1267060800-slide-camper-utility-bed-dream.jpg
 
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