Options for new ute back end

Hey Everyone,

I'm after some advice.....

I'm just about to order a new farm ute - a Ford Ranger FX4 Max (double cab). I've currently got a flat deck, which I like for it's versatility and robustness (hard to scratch/dent), but I'm interested in options that utilize the wellside.

I take the dog with me a reasonable amount. It would be nice to be able to organize/secure tools, but still be able to pick stuff up from Farmlands/Farmsource.

I don't carry bales of hay etc (I have a tractor for that).

Any good options, or should I stick with the flat deck (or both) ?

Thanks in advance :)

Rich

Flat deck

The worst thing about a wellside is not having a headboard to rest and tie long things onto.

If you can deal with that then I would go a canopy myself....dry locked storage but your needs may differ.

I wanted a canopy but it was just that bit too much on top of all those other things you need so went with tonneau.....its ok but would still much rather the canopy....especially for the dog.

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Originally Posted by veitnamcam

The worst thing about a wellside is not having a headboard to rest and tie long things onto.

If you can deal with that then I would go a canopy myself....dry locked storage but your needs may differ.

I wanted a canopy but it was just that bit too much on top of all those other things you need so went with tonneau.....its ok but would still much rather the canopy....especially for the dog.

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Yeah, good point. I have been pondering this https://www.utemaster.co.nz/our-prod...on/ute-canopy/

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Originally Posted by 7mmsaum

Flat deck

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That's certainly the default position

I’ve made do with a well side since buying my hilux in 2014, but I’m about to fit a flatdeck. I cart timber slabs and long bar chainsaws when I’m not doing my real job. My dog rides on the back and he’s scratched the paint something terrible, back of the cab most notably, from the chain clip on his collar.
Flat deck is also awesome for carting long items.
If you don’t see yourself really needing the flatdeck, then a spray on liner and a head board would sort many of the issues I have with the well side, but never got round to doing as I always intended to fit a deck


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I run a xtra cab px2 2018 with alli arc builders bars and 1 roof rack which carries 4.8 wet pine well on a wellside , works well . also a raised deck with slide drawer at well arch level for tools etc made my self with sectional door track and rollers . You will need 2 roof racks on a double cab but still cheaper than 4-5 k for canopy new but px 1 2 3 trays all the same so lots of used around .

Have you considered a Nissan Leaf?

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Originally Posted by MSL

I’ve made do with a well side since buying my hilux in 2014, but I’m about to fit a flatdeck. I cart timber slabs and long bar chainsaws when I’m not doing my real job. My dog rides on the back and he’s scratched the paint something terrible, back of the cab most notably, from the chain clip on his collar.
Flat deck is also awesome for carting long items.
If you don’t see yourself really needing the flatdeck, then a spray on liner and a head board would sort many of the issues I have with the well side, but never got round to doing as I always intended to fit a deck


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Yeah that's what I would hate about a wellside. Also, I do carry fence posts a reasonable amount, so would end up needing to take a trailer....

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Originally Posted by Ryan_Songhurst

Have you considered a Nissan Leaf?

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as soon as the come out in 4wd I'll be there

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Originally Posted by m101a1

I run a xtra cab px2 2018 with alli arc builders bars and 1 roof rack which carries 4.8 wet pine well on a wellside , works well . also a raised deck with slide drawer at well arch level for tools etc made my self with sectional door track and rollers . You will need 2 roof racks on a double cab but still cheaper than 4-5 k for canopy new but px 1 2 3 trays all the same so lots of used around .

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Interesting, any chance of a photo ?

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Originally Posted by MSL

My dog rides on the back and he’s scratched the paint something terrible, back of the cab most notably, from the chain clip on his collar.
Flat deck is also awesome for carting long items.
If you don’t see yourself really needing the flatdeck, then a spray on liner and a head board would sort many of the issues


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Yea this....back of cab scratched from chain,sides of welside scratched up from pulling up at mates with dog on back and their dog is off x multiple times:omg:
Resigned myself to the fact its a ute and it will get covered in scratches....finally.
But a canopy would have helped or eliminated my scratches.

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Originally Posted by Rich007

Interesting, any chance of a photo ?

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Will post some thurs cheers

Hey mate just finished building this fx4 max last week it’s for farm use wheels and suspension getting sorted this week https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...32c17e5328.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...48e623654c.jpg


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flatdeck with the lights recessed so that they are not the thing that breaks every time you back into something

It gives you the ability to have a nice new vehicle but you are still able to do the dirty shitty jobs it takes to pay for it

Looks very tidy, but when I made a faltdeck some years ago I was told the rear light clusters had to be visible from right angles to the rear of the deck??

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Originally Posted by XR500

Looks very tidy, but when I made a faltdeck some years ago I was told the rear light clusters had to be visible from right angles to the rear of the deck??

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Na never had an issue, you’ll notice a lot of heavy trucks run bumpers that protect the lights and stop them being visible from 90 degrees


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Originally Posted by Mauser308

WTF? That's not what the LT regulations say. Indicators at front end and pilot or marker lights, yes. Solid rule about white lights rearward facing - if your number plate light housing or brake light cover gets cracked so white light projecting backwards a cop having a bad day or short of quota can ping ya and send an invoice.

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Agreed- white lights only come on in reverse


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If you go with a flat deck, add tipping gear, you won’t regret it.

Attachment 171607Attachment 171609 heres my x cab you will need to cap the sides with timber or hdpe like I did as the steel is super soft but replacement wellsides are cheap as chips from the flatdeck makers if you wreck your one

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Originally Posted by Gusto

Hey mate just finished building this fx4 max last week it’s for farm use wheels and suspension getting sorted this week https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...32c17e5328.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...48e623654c.jpg


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Looks good,

what have you put on it ?

I thought the suspension and tyres were the selling point for it? Not good enough?

Any chance of some more pics ?

saw a great wellside in Timaru...fella had put hard top on it...so could cart stuff like a flat deck...and sliding draws in the back and smaller ones from the side.....
older Brother put a lock through hard top of his navara...so he could lock it up solid when at work and not worry his chainsaws would get nicked.

These look bloody good.
https://www.m2overland.co.nz/tray-canopy-builder

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Originally Posted by Rich007

Looks good,

what have you put on it ?

I thought the suspension and tyres were the selling point for it? Not good enough?

Any chance of some more pics ?

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Yea the suspension is the selling point but as soon as you fit a bull bar your left with as much ground clearance as a Honda Civic. I’ll find some more pics but these are other ones I’ve built https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...6dcdf25779.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...0b41f291b7.jpg


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