ideas and need some help

[Justin]

ok so I have decided to hold off on a new truck until I graduate in a year. What I want to do now is either remove the roll bar or modify it so that it sits on custom bedrails that I will fab up. This way here, I get full bedspace to somehow fit my atv which is just under 50" wide. I think I will custom build a set of shelves (or so to speak) so that the atv is tilted backwards and the shelves will hump over the wheelwells. So I ask these questions....

1) will the tailgate support the rear of my atv which is right around 800lbs.
2) obviosuly the suspension can't handle it, what is the cheapest way to solve the problem..boise spring kit, extra leafs added, helper springs or an air bag setup?

I may modify an atv ramp to work and have it look something like this

[Warnoffroad]

I had the same problem you do, but since my truck so high I dont put it in the bed any more. But I use to have hellwing 550 leaf helpers and they helped ALOT. My tail gate held up to mine which is about 700 lbs

[Mike H.]

1) will the tailgate support the rear of my atv which is right around 800lbs.
2) obviosuly the suspension can't handle it, what is the cheapest way to solve the problem..boise spring kit, extra leafs added, helper springs or an air bag setup?

I seem to remember a pic of a lot of beer stacked into the back of your truck. Get some more for the next party and stack it on the bed and see what happens.

I'm getting ready to remove my Trailmaster add-a-leaf and put on my Daystars. I'm going to lower the whole thing back down a bit to avoid front end wear.

The TM add-a-leafs really stiffen it up. Would be great for towing/hauling. And would give you 2-3/8" rear lift when you are empty. Cost me $45 - if you want them after I pull them I'll sell for $10 + shipping. Find out what shipping is from 32751 to whereever you are and let me know.

[Justin]

mike,

what is the estimated weight and dimensions?

thanks

[KYLE]

JUSTIN, I made a shelf for my quad and heres some advice! first of all it was a big waste of time, it seemed nice at first but was more of a pain than help. It sat just like the pick you have posted.
first: it was a major two person pain in the butt to load up (you need some one up front to pick it up onto the platform while you try to worry about the back end)
second: your front tires are only a couple of inches below the edge of the bed and I always feared tipping it out the side or it rolling forward through the back window, now matter how much I tied it down it just didn't feel safe.
I spent all day making a great platfom too, rounded the edges had a center support and even sprayed it with a sylicone spray, it looked nice but wasn't as practical as I had hoped.
I ended up using some left over 8"x8" beam laying around, cut them at around 20" with a 45 at one end. rather than cover the hole, fill it. I pushed them up tight to the wheel wells and there like little ramps and work great the hole is filled and you don't need two people. it basically sits the same but you dont know how much safer I feel with that extra inch.

[proroc]

Kyle, do you have a pic of this setup? I lift my s-10 and have a BI*CH of a time getting my 400EX loaded.... I dont want to buy a hitch and trailer, i'd rather use the bed...

[KYLE]

Kyle, do you have a pic of this setup? I lift my s-10 and have a BI*CH of a time getting my 400EX loaded.... I dont want to buy a hitch and trailer, i'd rather use the bed...

SWEET! I HAVE A 400EX TOO! I DON'T HAVE A PIC OF HAND BUT I CAN TAKE ONE NEXT TIME I LOAD IT UP. I DON'T BLAME YOU ABOUT THE TRAILER, ....................THATS WHAT BEDS ARE FOR!

[proroc]

Great thanks! Where can I find 8 X 8 stock anyways? Has anyone here towed on the bumper "after" installing a PA 2" kit?

[Mike H.]

mike,
what is the estimated weight and dimensions?
thanks

Sorry for the delay, been out of town.

They are the Trailmaster 3" add-a-leaf kit #R1537. Cost me $50 at the local truck/speed shop. It is the same part number Trailmaster also lists as their 3" kit for Nissans, Toyotas, and as 2" on the older Landrover.

The springs are 24" long and 2-1/4" wide. (Our stock springs are 2-1/2" wide.) They are slightly thicker than our 3 regular leaves, but tapered toward the ends. The ends are actually slightly thinner than the stock leaves. I don't know the weight, but would guess 25 pounds total for both.

I removed the flat overload spring and installed the Trailmaster leaf in its place as they recommended. I reused my stock spring center bolts. It took me about 4 hours, but much of that time was spent fabbing a couple of spring clips to prevent leaf rotation. I drilled and countersunk the leaf ends and used a grade 5 flat head bolt and locknut to attach the clips. These will still be on the springs if you end up wanting them.

Ride is noticably firmer and gave me 2-3/8" rear lift.