Wrecker bed modification

[Csm Davis]

Any good reason to not cut the bed on a wrecker up outside of the frame? Thinking of reworking one of mine to make it easier to work with, also add pictures of any you may have seen please no crap about keeping it original.

 

[Derrickl112]

Why?

 

[Csm Davis]

Less weight on back of truck add useable toolboxes!

 

[timntrucks]

i have thought of a better step up over the drivers side rear area. that might help some of us older guys get to the controls better

 

[dmetalmiki]

mdods M62

apart from adding the step as mentioned (tho mine is at the rear.) I have removed the "stops" to allow 360 degree rotation of the crane. Other than that (and holmes lifting gear lights sirens and radios!.. I find it well ok to manage/use..and I am aged...!

 

[emr]

i dont think its " crap to keep it original " just sayin ... To be honest, since U are asking, there may be no reason at all, but then again one may weaken the over all strength of the bed and it may twist or buckle in severe use applications, bends and edges sometimes offer support and may be in the original design , and original is always better, and usually stronger ...

 

[Csm Davis]

I didn't say it was crap to keep it original, I said don't give me crap for modifying it that's what this forum is about!

 

[73m819]

YOUR wrecker, YOUR money, build it to make YOU happy, at least your not going to bob it

 

[Recovry4x4]

Bobbing would save weight.

 

[AMGeneral]

Given that the outriggers are an intregral part of the outer frame of the wrecker bed,you would lose the outriggers as well as the basic structural integrity of the wrecker bed itself.

The boom base plate does sit directly on the truck frame,it is attached to the frame by large U bolts.

here is a link to a thread I posted a week back,it may help show how the boom base sits on the frame.

It covers the AW bed,but the later versions attach in a similar way.
http://www.steelsoldiers.com/5-ton-...-bed-disassembly-pics-m108-m62-m246-m819.html

 

[RodUSMC1962]

The military built them the way they did for a reason. They didn`t put that much steel and design them that way unless they felt they had to.I bet structural integrity had something to do with it.

 

[joeM62]

Which wrecker are you wanting to mod, if it was M816 or M543 I would put hydraulic cylinders to help with the out riggers everybody knows how a pain they are to pull out and put back in, something like the M936. Maybe a wheel lift and maybe a better steps than whats on the back of the bed. Add a safety precaution on the boom in case the cable every snapped it wouldn't hurt the operater. Thats my 2 cents.

 

[m16ty]

I have removed the "stops" to allow 360 degree rotation of the crane.

Does the crane have a hyd rotator coupling? If not you'll wind your hyd hoses up by rotating it past 360. I'm thinking it doesn't have a rotator coupling, hence the need for the stops.

If it doesn't have a rotator coupling I'd suggest putting the stops back in. If you don't you'll more than likely end up with a big twisted mess of hoses under the turntable.

 

[Csm Davis]

How many of you actually take your tow bars and wiffeltree and other large parts off your trucks multiple times a day? I am 6'8" 340 lbs and stronger than most folks you will ever meet so if it is giving me fits getting crap out of mine it needs to be fixed. I have asked for information not conjecture my truck will be modified and probably be stronger than stock and definitely easier to use so if you want to you may just sit and watch while I cut it up. I will not be responding to any more negative post, unless it has some merit as to why I shouldn't cut off the sides. If I can find some hydraulic outriggers I will cut off the stock ones but only then.

 

[73m819]

MR. Jeff, your truck, do what makes YOU happy, if it does not work, go to plan B, then C, ect. till you are happy. I am sure this is NOT your first go-a-round in moding a track


As far as 360 rotation, all the wreckers can do it for ever, the stop is ONLY to keep a dumb a$$ from taking out the cab

 

[jesusgatos]

...original is always better, and usually stronger

mmmm, errr, uhhh, no. At least not most things I've modified. Me make em mo betta.

 

[Csm Davis]

Okay let's see how many feathers I can ruffle, I think I will replace the treadplate on my bed with aluminum diamond plate with full polish! And side open boxes!

 

[Doubled]

6'8" 340 lbs

You da man!! Go for it!!

 

[Csm Davis]

Which wrecker are you wanting to mod, if it was M816 or M543 I would put hydraulic cylinders to help with the out riggers everybody knows how a pain they are to pull out and put back in, something like the M936. Maybe a wheel lift and maybe a better steps than whats on the back of the bed. Add a safety precaution on the boom in case the cable every snapped it wouldn't hurt the operater. Thats my 2 cents.

As to a break in the cable put your land anchors on top of your boom and they will be out of your way and protect the operators. And I have seen lots of M936 wreckers and none have had hydraulic outriggers, but that would be great mod.

 

[joeM62]

Well some guys don't have the spades on their trucks to put on the boom. I could of swore
I seen a M936 up the road from house had them in place from what the Sgt. told me when I was at the local National Guard base the guy was pretty nice to let me check the wrecker out I thought they couldn't do that. I have question what do the 2 levers at the back right of the bed do? Good luck with your mods on the wrecker.