Capt Eddie
Adventurer
It looks great. I would love to see it in person. How about AZ in April?? Mike did a fantastic job.
F550 Flatbed Build
- Thread starter boblynch
- Start date
XtremeMike
New member
we have spring load from camper to bed and bed to frame
it flexes nicely
it flexes nicely
F550 mileage
I just bought a 2006 F550 6.0l auto. 4x4 200" 19.2 255/70r tires 4.88 ratio hubs unlocked completely stock, i purchased with 40k on it. Now, runnin in the winter and i've been easy on the throttle in zero to sub zero temps on 300-400 mile trips keep it around 1900 rpms which is a little low and im loggin on the highway 15 and 16 mpg with it outfitted in the pic. Now that turn out being about 55-60 on the highway and that ton of steel is coming off soon as i have a buyer for it, but its weight is up there, wont know for sure till i weight truck without it to be sure.
IMG_20101225_143950 by tbared, on Flickr
I just bought a 2006 F550 6.0l auto. 4x4 200" 19.2 255/70r tires 4.88 ratio hubs unlocked completely stock, i purchased with 40k on it. Now, runnin in the winter and i've been easy on the throttle in zero to sub zero temps on 300-400 mile trips keep it around 1900 rpms which is a little low and im loggin on the highway 15 and 16 mpg with it outfitted in the pic. Now that turn out being about 55-60 on the highway and that ton of steel is coming off soon as i have a buyer for it, but its weight is up there, wont know for sure till i weight truck without it to be sure.
IMG_20101225_143950 by tbared, on Flickr
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Thank you for the replies. I was curious as to what the differences might be between a 550 and 350 chassis cab. I have an older 350 pickup (1999 7.3L) which will get around 19-20 unloaded and 15-16 with a 10' Bigfoot camper mounted. Someday I intend to build a larger flatbed camper somewhat similar to what Bob has done - a very nice example, thanks. I am collecting data trying to guess what fuel economy might be expected of a new F550. The new 6.7L is supposed to be more economical than any engine since the 7.3L, it can be ordered with 4:10 gears and these could be further changed out for 3:91 which would be near the gearing one would get in a 350 (which has 3.73, but smaller wheels). I believe 2011 is the first year that a 450 or 550 can be had in a Supercab with a long wheelbase.
Fuel economy isn't an overriding consideration, just one of many things in the planning.
Fuel economy isn't an overriding consideration, just one of many things in the planning.
Byrdseye
Observer
Thanks for sharing your build with us......lots of good ideas here 
How high is the deck of your flatbed above the frame rails? I'm just starting on my build and need to finalize some of my dimensions while considering CG, overhead/cab clearance and wheel wells for MPT81s. Thanks!
How high is the deck of your flatbed above the frame rails? I'm just starting on my build and need to finalize some of my dimensions while considering CG, overhead/cab clearance and wheel wells for MPT81s. Thanks!dtruzinski
4 Season Traveller
@Byrdseye - tires and wheels have arrived, unfortunately, I am on business travel for another week. I should be able to get the exact dimensions when I return home on 3/2. I will also take some pics of the custom made running boards/rock rails (these are strong and will serve dual purpose)
Bobsquatch
New member
Nice thread. I recently had my 2002 srw f350 stolen and replaced it with the same truck but a f550 with a flat bed. I am thinking of building a rigid side pop up camper to fit on its 8x8.5' bed. I ran across this thread and thought it would be a great source of info. I will check in and update my profile as time allows. Thanks for the inspiration.
First, a Quad cab long bed Chassis 450/550 was certainly available in 2000-2003, I have seen several (perhaps I am misunderstanding your question). Also, I had a 2000 550 7.3 2wd which I put a Detroit Locker and 391's in with factory rims/ tires. It was a manual with a Super Chip on the lowest setting, got 11-12 loaded or empty (empty was 12K). I kept the gears and Locker for my new 2000 4x4 V10, but it ended up have some True-Track diff that is only one step below the Locker so I left it be, the Locker and 391's are available if anyone wants them. The 450/550 are AWESOME rigs. I am converting most of my 350 to 450 parts, springs. mounts, rims/tires. Here is my old rig, then new gasser 550 with log bed, my build 350 CC/CC 7.3,
As far as the difference, front axles and spring are the same 350/450/550, hub adapter is the only difference. The rear, the same Dana 80 is used on both the 350 and 450, just the outer assembly changes. The F350 has stamped rear spring mounts, above that the mounts are cast steel and are the same on the 450 and the 550. The 550 has the monster Dana S135, and that is it, OTHER than the frame. all chassis cabs have straight frames, the 450/550 have a thicker frame crosssection behind the cab, I think it goes from 5/16" to 3/8" or 1/2" (I can't remember exactly). All the factory holes and punchings are completely the same straight thru. I was going to even convert my frame, but it might be just too much. A local yard has a frame CC/CC that is from a 450 and is immaculate and cheap. May just buy it t ohave a spare if either of my trucks are in accidents.
As far as 550 capacity, the first thing I did with my old 550 when I brought it home was to put a 10,000 Oliver 361 30" planer on the bed and drive around the block. :drool: Did just fine.
As far as the difference, front axles and spring are the same 350/450/550, hub adapter is the only difference. The rear, the same Dana 80 is used on both the 350 and 450, just the outer assembly changes. The F350 has stamped rear spring mounts, above that the mounts are cast steel and are the same on the 450 and the 550. The 550 has the monster Dana S135, and that is it, OTHER than the frame. all chassis cabs have straight frames, the 450/550 have a thicker frame crosssection behind the cab, I think it goes from 5/16" to 3/8" or 1/2" (I can't remember exactly). All the factory holes and punchings are completely the same straight thru. I was going to even convert my frame, but it might be just too much. A local yard has a frame CC/CC that is from a 450 and is immaculate and cheap. May just buy it t ohave a spare if either of my trucks are in accidents.
As far as 550 capacity, the first thing I did with my old 550 when I brought it home was to put a 10,000 Oliver 361 30" planer on the bed and drive around the block. :drool: Did just fine.
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DT75FLH
Adventurer
IIRC the 08-11 f450 rear axle is a dana110. I believe the 2011 and up are back to a dana 80 or the same as a f 350