[Falkor919]

I was rotating my tires the other day when I noticed a bunch of rust under the bed :icon_cry: I want to take the bed off so I can work on it but its my daily driver and it will take me a while to do all the work. Do I need to replace my bed with something or can I drive it without anything on the back of the truck(besides lights)? I have a bunch of 2x4s I got for free I can use as a bed. Any ideas/pictures would be greatly appreciated.

 

[short_stuff]

I think it is all up to your state highway laws. My b-i-l took his bed off as soon as he got his truck new, then drove it for a few weeks without the bed until his new flat bed was ready to be installed. All that was required was that he have working tail lights, turn signals, and stop lights. Of course, without there being any bed there, the dirt and stuff got thrown up on the back of the cab.
Obviously, the rear of the truck will be a few hundred pounds lighter, so you'd have to be careful when you made hard left or right turns. just my .02 cents worth

short_stuff

 

[Falkor919]

thanks....I will have to check with NY.

 

[2004fx4]

thanks....I will have to check with NY.

I don't know of the laws, but I live near the mack truck plant. All the trucks that come out of there have only a cab on them. What they do is have a 2x4 mounted across the rear of the truck. Mounted to this they have a plate and two brake/turn signal lights. Also, they have Mudflaps connected to this.

 

[SmokeyWren]

Proper mudflaps, tail lights, license plate light and turn signal lights are required in all states. Also if it has dual rear tires there are some other lighting requirements. But yeah, you can tie a 2x4 or 2x6 board on the tail of the truck, and attach the lights and license plate light and license plate to that board.

But I would discuss the requirements with the local DOT officers, which in some states is the State Patrol.