Anyone ever use a utility body? modified? Is it practical or not?
Thanks.

Sarah

I was considering it at one time. I dont see why you couldnt. You would need to do some fabricating to make it super user freindy. Like adding tool draws in the tool boxes, maybe makeing some shoe racks inside them as well. Maybe modify the other side to mount some drill presses/grinders in? The only serious issue would be covering the exposed bed. Im sure they make 'caps' for utility bodies. Then I would add a roll out bed to that area and that would be nice. Mount your forge to it and such. BUt till then you could jsut throw you stuff in the back I suppose =] But you'll probably get tired of doing that soon enough.

You could do is take it off and sell it and put the $$ towards a stonewell.

-Josh

I've shod out of two. A little 84 Toyota utility and a 95 Chevy 3/4 ton. Liked both a lot except the one on the Chevy was a "Stahl" brand ,real nice looking because it has some shape to it besides a 'box', but the quality sucked. (hinges and such just not as good as they should have been. If I ever get a utility again I wll go for the kind with a fold up or a slide cover that covers the middle section.
Patty

I am shoeing out of one now as i wait for my stonewell to be finished but i hated shoeing out of the type i have. If you are going to do that make sure you get a ARE topper or something that has the full size door in the back instead of the reg topper looking ones the have the half door. The tail gate makes it a pain to get to your stuff. But i know alot of guys who shoe out of them and they are good to start out of.

I have an ARE topper on a ranger.
I ordered it with an extra 6 inch height. The full, back door raises up on shocks. My anvil stand attaches to the truck bumper so the long door keeps me out of the sun and rain. The extra 6 inches gives me 6 foot head room when the door is up and it extends 46 inches beyond the truck.

When I bought it, I hated it the first week. My anvil is 3 feet outside the box.
The ring of the anvil would bounce off the inside and echo back into your ear.
Plus being black it was like a oven working anywhere near it.

I bought a couple of sheets of the closed cell insulation, (the stuff with foil on one side) and cut panels to fit inside all the framework of the cap. Where there were curved areas I just slit 1/2 way thru the back side of the panel every 1 1/2 inch and snapped the panel sections over a sharp edge without tearing the foil. They then would bend nicely into the curves.
I used regular silicone as a glue and after 8 years it still is in pretty good shape.

Great idea with that topper it sounds good and how does your anvil sit on the back of your truck is it in your truck when working or is it attaced that it comes way from the truck?

Thanks everyone. I was asking because I know where a few bodies are. They are just sitting, and I might be able to get one cheap. If I have to make modifications anyway, reinforcing and patching up a bit wouldn't be too much trouble(of course I wouldn't buy one full of holes) I like the idea of a slide out bed, I could mount rails in and weld a cover maybe half way down the boxes. Higher, and closed in the front and a bit of overhang behind for water management. Could put in a different tailgate of some kind. Or get an ARE.

In that case, you'd be better off getting a topper honestly. Get one with side doors that open up.

Holden_CJ
(Here are some pictures in sequence of how I set up.
You will notice I am a lefty, so if you are a righty you will have it mounted on the other side of the bumper.)

Do you have any idea how to post pictures on here?...if not, send me your email and I will send them to you that way.

Well, I've not decided yet. I was also thinking since my mate needs a truck/storage/ladderrack for his job we could split a utility easier...I get one side and the bed, he gets the other side and a ladderrack.

Don't share.
You will both be inconviniced. There are plenty of other things in a relationship to mutauly accomadate each other with (Bill's advice for the loved one collum here).
Bill

LOL...point taken. B-B-But I was gonna let him have it when I go buy MY brand new truck and stonewell body....lol. Perhaps you should start a column...