Thread: Converting a Ute to flatdeck

I'm toying with the idea of converting my Ute to a flatdeck. There seem to be a few decks on trademe but my question is how generic are they? If off a Hilux will they only fit a hilux or could I put on my Ranger as well?

Any other thoughts or issues with doing this?

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Some decks are pretty universal fit, would depend on the deck and the ute but nothing is impossible just a matter of if it is worth the effort/cost.

Considering making your own?

look at a ranger with its wellside off.....see whats there to attach a deck to...maybe another ford or mazda deck will bolt straight on as has same chassis??? fifty quid to a knob of goat shit any half decent wrecker will know what will fit or what is the same.

Yep mazda/ford will be the same for same for most years, shagger hilux have four mounts per side but new ones only 2 mounts per side....cant say I have looked at mounts on my Mitsi as I dont work on it.
Hilux deck I was working on/with fitting a crane to last week had quite a good modular deck design that would fit most anything I would think....will have a look in my phone to see if I took any pics.

I’ve a universal fit alloy deck by Gitsham (Aussie) sitting here, took it off a Landy I imported. The main rails are channeled so you can move the mounts around to suit, and the guards will fit anywhere. I can take some overall measurements for you and a few pix if you’re interested. let me know.

This is it before I took it off.


Ray.

I just changed my 2013 BT50 from a well to flatdeck. The deck was from the previous generation and had two mounts whereas the newer one had three (per side) and the height was different. Took about half a day to weld new cross bars on and make up spacers to raise it a bit. Lights just plugged straight in.

If you get a good deck at the right price i cant seeing it been a big job. The couple of decks i have fitted just needed mounts changed. finding a good deck a good price will be the hard bit

Originally Posted by ishoot10s

I’ve a universal fit alloy deck by Gitsham (Aussie) sitting here, took it off a Landy I imported. The main rails are channeled so you can move the mounts around to suit, and the guards will fit anywhere. I can take some overall measurements for you and a few pix if you’re interested. let me know.

This is it before I took it off.

Attachment 118295
Ray.

Great looking deck, my Ute is double cab so that one would be too long unfortunately

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Originally Posted by veitnamcam

Yep mazda/ford will be the same for same for most years, shagger hilux have four mounts per side but new ones only 2 mounts per side....cant say I have looked at mounts on my Mitsi as I dont work on it.
Hilux deck I was working on/with fitting a crane to last week had quite a good modular deck design that would fit most anything I would think....will have a look in my phone to see if I took any pics.

Good info thanks

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Originally Posted by bigbear

If you get a good deck at the right price i cant seeing it been a big job. The couple of decks i have fitted just needed mounts changed. finding a good deck a good price will be the hard bit

Sounds like if I find a good deck fitting it is easier part so will keep an eye out

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@hillclima if you struggle to find something reasonable, this one can be shortened, the deck is made of panels that lock together. I have already dropped the headboard by one panel as I was thinking of making it a trailer. Take a couple deck panels out and shorten the sides and refit the end mouldings. It's all 6mm bolts. You could have it for a few hundy and some IPA.

Pm sent

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@hillclima there's another party interested, but you have first refusal. I'm posting the pics here so I only have to do it once.

Underside... 2 x 100x50 alloy longerons and 3 x 50x50 galv steel cross braces, all can be moved in channels.

Brace attachment detail...

All these little holes are guard mounting points, lots of options...

Length...

Width...

Front...

Cap detail...


The deck sections are 200mm wide so that's how much shorter it would be for each one removed. I still have the missing headboard panel, and the bolts and packers for chassis attachment but you'd probably have to cut some up yourself to mate up to the Ranger.

$600.00 and a box of Panhead Supercharger APA.

Originally Posted by ishoot10s

I’ve a universal fit alloy deck by Gitsham (Aussie) sitting here, took it off a Landy I imported. The main rails are channeled so you can move the mounts around to suit, and the guards will fit anywhere. I can take some overall measurements for you and a few pix if you’re interested. let me know.

This is it before I took it off.

Attachment 118295
Ray.

What did you do with the Landy?
Just a different flat deck or some other conversion?